02-604
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (CA)
Assault on Ranger, Threats to Visitors
Ranger Christopher Bruno investigated an illegal campsite covered
with a blue tarp early on the morning of Saturday, November 23. Bruno
tapped the tarp with his baton and was immediately confronted by a
37-year-old man who rose to his knees, reached for his waistband and
said he had a gun. Bruno drew his handgun and ordered him to put his
hands up. He did so, yelling that he did not have a gun, but then picked
up a 42-inch-long umbrella, stood, and swung the umbrella at Bruno. The
umbrella was longer than Bruno's baton and struck him in the face. The
man then ran away from Bruno, who was able to follow him in his patrol
vehicle and call for additional help. Officer Larry Morales and two
other US Park Police officers arrived and forcibly disarmed, arrested
and transported the man to jail. Bruno sustained only a small
laceration. The man was subsequently charged with assaulting a federal
officer (18 USC 111(a)(1)). That same afternoon, ranger Bob Airey-Van
Diem arrested a 50-year-old man for threatening two park visitors with a
broken beer bottle. The man was extremely combative and was subdued with
the assistance of four other rangers. He was then fingerprinted and
booked into jail. Both individuals are homeless, have had numerous
interactions with Park Police officers and rangers, and have
demonstrated increased violence in contacts. The homeless population
inside the park poses challenges to both resource management and visitor
protection. Many of these people have been institutionalized and have
criminal records. Restraining orders, mental health help and prison time
are all being sought at this time.
[Submitted by John Evans,
District Ranger]
02-605
Valley Forge National Historical Park (PA)
Hate Crimes Arrest
In October, 1998, the African-American Memorial was vandalized with a
large, spray-painted swastika. A suspect - Jo.H. - was
identified, but he fled the state when he learned that rangers were
looking for him. On November 18, FBI agents arrested Jo.H., 25, in
Miami. Also indicted in the case has been Ja.H., 23, of King of
Prussia, Pennsylvania. Each has been charged with a felony count of
conspiracy to violate civil rights and a felony count of damage to
government property.
[Submitted by Doug Germeraad, Assistant
Chief Ranger]
02-606
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Anti-War Protest at Liberty Bell
On Saturday, November 23, a group of 800 demonstrators protesting the
possibility of war with Iraq marched from city hall to the 500 block of
Market Street in front of the Liberty Bell, where they remained for a
brief rally before marching back to city hall. Rangers coordinated their
response with Philadelphia police. There were no incidents or arrests.
[Submitted by Phil Sheridan, PIO]
02-607
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (AZ)
Drug Interdiction and Arrests
On November 18, a vehicle was stopped in the park for speeding and
driving in a closed area. The driver, A.B., 38, could not
provide proof of insurance, a license, or a registration. A consent
search was conducted. The ranger smelled the odor of marijuana emanating
from the luggage rack on the vehicle's roof and discovered 17 bundles of
marijuana weighing 264 pounds. A.B. and passenger J.S., 26,
were arrested. Methamphetamine was found on J.S. during a search of his
person. The vehicle was later found to have been stolen. The case was
turned over to Customs.
[Submitted by Julie Horne, Park
Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Budget
Servicewide Comprehensive Call Announced
The Director's approval of the Servicewide Comprehensive Call (SCC) memorandum this week marks the official start of the budget formulation process for fiscal year 2005 and beyond. Information obtained during the call is used to formulate the NPS budget requests to DOI and OMB, the President's Request, and to respond to Congressional inquiries. Both the Operations Formulation System (OFS) and the Project Management Information System (PMIS) should be updated. Submittals for this call are due to WASO on April 1, 2003; please note that Regional and Program Offices will set earlier due dates.
Coinciding with this year's SCC is the upgrade of the Project Management Information System (PMIS) to version 4.1. For further information regarding this upgrade, please visit http://data2.itc.nps.gov/budget2/scc/pmischanges.doc
For further information and guidance on the SCC, please visit the NPS Budget Website at: http://data2.itc.nps.gov/budget2/call.cfm
[Submitted by Ken Mueller, Kenneth_Mueller@nps.gov, 202 208-7434] More Information...
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.