RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
CC: RAD Information Net
Day/date: Thursday, January 31, 1991
INCIDENTS
91-29 - Everglades (Florida) - Armed Robbery
V.S., 80, and R.S., 35, both of Great
Britain, were robbed at gunpoint near the Royal Palm visitor
center just before dark on the evening of the 29th. The couple
were at the end of the Anhinga trail when they heard footsteps
approaching from behind them. When they turned, they were
confronted by two men wearing ski masks and carrying at least
one semiautomatic handgun. The men ordered the couple to lie
face down on the ground, then robbed them of their money and car
keys. The pair then fled in the couples' rental car.
Everglades rangers and Miami Metro-Dade police set up two control
points along the road leading to town and searched the park road
and turnouts with patrol cars and a police helicopter. The
search proved fruitless. Items stolen from the couple included
several pieces of jewelry. Rangers are working with police in
an effort to track the robbers through the fenced jewelry.
[Telefax from Mark Lewis, LES, EVER, 1/30]
91-30 - Great Smokies (North Carolina/Tennessee) - Drug Arrest
On January 26th, N.M.H., 26, wrecked his 1985
Audi sedan near Newfound Gap. The ranger who responded to the
accident found controlled substances in the car and asked that a
drug dog from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, be brought to the scene. A
half pound of marijuana was subsequently discovered in the
vehicle. N.M.H. was also found to have over $2,000 on his
person. He was arrested by park rangers and charged with
violation of 21 USC 844 (possession of a controlled substance).
[CompuServe message from Jason Houck, CR, GRSM, 1/30]
91-31 - Lake Clark (Alaska) - Poaching
Ranger/pilot Leon Alsworth discovered an illegally killed moose
carcass in the western portion of the preserve late last
September. Three suspects were subsequently identified through
field investigation and interviews. At the same time, evidence
was processed by the state crime lab. The evidence and
background information was then provided to a U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service special agent. Last week, special agents
interviewed the three suspects in Connecticut and obtained
admissions from all three. They will be charged with violations
of the Lacey Act. [CompuServe message from Steve Shackelton,
RAD/ARO, 1/28]
MIDDLE EAST INCIDENT UPDATE
The following information was excerpted from a report submitted
by John Lynch (RAD/NARO):
* Statue of Liberty and Federal Hall - Staffing has been
increased and employee work schedules have been altered to provide
increased coverage at both areas. Park Police officers from Gateway
have been providing assistance in this effort.
Please advise us through your regional offices of all threats
received, permits issued for demonstrations, and demonstrations
or incidents that occur which are related to the war in the Gulf.
Reports should be submitted as soon as possible; there is a high
degree of interest in such activities in the Department and
among other governmental agencies. Call Major Schamp at FTS
268-4209 (202-208-4209).
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No reports received.
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Dabney at meetings in Yosemite (1/28), WRO
(1/29-2/1), Southwest Region chief rangers' conference (2/4-2/6),
and Albright EDC (2/6-2/8).
Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Marriott at meetings in
Yosemite (1/28) and WRO (1/29-2/10; Halainen in meeting with NPS-43 work
group, WASO (1/28-2/1).
Branch of Fire: Hurd and Gale instructing at I-520/I-620 course,
Marana, AZ (1/28-2/1); Erskine and Farrel in meeting at Denver Service
Center (1/30-2/1); Broyles instructing at RX-90 course, Big Thicket, TX
(1/28-2/1).
Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
Telephone: FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax: FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
SEAdog: 1/650