Big Cypress National Preserve (FL)
Auto Theft Arrests
Ranger Russ Brautigan stopped a silver Jeep Cherokee on the Concho
Billie ORV trail on the morning of February 23rd. Two women were riding
on the roof, and the jeep was in the area in violation of a closure
regulation. The women and the driver were identified as juveniles from
Naples, Florida. A computer check revealed that the license plate was
from another vehicle; a further check of the Jeep's VIN showed that it
was stolen. Rangers Carmen Barnard and Neil Gardner provided back-up and
assisted in the subsequent investigation. The trio provided conflicting
accounts and false information about the stolen auto. Since all three
were juveniles, the grand theft auto case was turned over to the Collier
County Sheriff's Office. The driver and passengers were issued a
combination of mandatory citations and warnings for various federal
violations relating to the vehicle operation and providing false
information to a federal law enforcement officer. Two of the juveniles
face charges of probation violation as a result of this incident. The
driver has a long criminal history and is known to have gang
affiliations.
[Submitted by Ed Clark, Chief Ranger]
Blue Ridge Parkway
Drug Arrests
On February 15th, ranger Ken Gochenour was notified by Ash County of
a vehicle parked on the parkway. Gochenour checked it and found that the
tags were stolen. He contacted a North Carolina State Bureau of
Investigations agent, who said that the vehicle might be associated with
a nearby residence and people involved in the illegal manufacture of
methamphetamine. Four days later, rangers, SBI agents, an SBI tactical
response team and county deputies executed a search warrant on the
residence. The arrested one person for possession of methamphetamine and
drug paraphernalia, and another on a felony warrant involving another
methamphetamine lab.
[Submitted by Chief Rangers Office]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Shiloh National Military Park (TN)
Dennis Turnbo To Retire
Dennis L. Turnbo is retiring on March 31st after more than 28 years of dedicated service to the National Park Service. He served four years in the United States Navy assigned to Attack Squadron 22 and served 27 months in the combat zone during the Vietnam War. He spent his entire career at Shiloh National Military Park starting as a seasonal Park Technician in 1975. He served as law enforcement officer, resource management specialist, and fire management officer for the park. Since 1977, Dennis served as an EEO counselor for the park. He participated in numerous special events in the southeast region and during the aftermath of September 11, 2001, he was asked to serve in the Washington DC main Interior building as Operations Section Chief to coordinate security operations for the Department of Interior. He was Incident Commander Type 3 for various fires throughout the United States. He was also a team leader for the Southeast Region Special Event Team. Dennis and his wife, Linda, plan to stay in the Savannah, TN area. A party to commemorate Dennis' many achievements has been planned for March 2nd. If you have any photos or stories you would like to share, please send them to Shiloh National Military Park, ATTN: Cathy Ponds, 1055 Pittsburg Landing Road, Shiloh, TN 38376. Contact by phone at 731-689-5275 or cathy_ponds@nps.gov by e-mail.
[Submitted by Cathy Ponds, Cathy_Ponds@nps.gov, 731-689-5275]
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (OR)
GS-0025-11 LE Ranger
Dates: 02/24/2004 - 03/15/2004
John Day FBNM and Prineville District of BLM are advertising for a shared law enforcement position. The incumbent would be stationed at the headquarters of John Day FBNM and work 50% of his/her time protecting resources and visitors on NPS lands and 50% on surrounding BLM lands. The incumbant would be required to live within 8 miles of the park headquarters. NPS housing is available. This is a unique opportunity for the right person and would provide an individual a chance to learn and experience two agencies and work in a very beautiful part of eastern Oregon in the shadow of the Blue Mountains. The incumbent would be working alone part of the time and working closely with other agents of BLM, the Malheur National Forest, and the staff of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The position is currently being advertised on USA JOBS under BLM position number OR-04-042MP.
[Submitted by Jim Hammett, Superintendent, Jim_Hammett@nps.gov, 541-987-2333]
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
GS-025-9 LE Ranger
Glen Canyon is seeking interested and eligible permanent NPS FLETC graduates for a lateral reassignment for the position of GS-025-9 law enforcement ranger, with a duty station at Wahweap. This is a permanent, full time position. The person selected will be required to occupy government quarters in Wahweap. She/he will be directly supervised by a GS-11 subdistrict ranger and work with seven other permanent GS-9 rangers, two subject-to-furloughs, and up to seven seasonal rangers. This position is tentatively earmarked to include EMS responsibilities at the park medic level. He/she will perform a wide variety of visitor and resource protection duties, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, structural fire, and search and rescue, and will be required to:
Conduct frontcountry and backcountry patrols in the Downlake District via vehicle, boat and foot patrol.
Perform a wide range of investigative functions.
Provide emergency medical services at park medic/EMT level.
Serve as a certified structural firefighter in the park fire brigade.
Work closely with and maintain relations with a variety of local state, county and local agencies.
Conduct resource protection patrols and educate park visitors about park resources.
Wahweap is located approximately six miles from the town of Page, which has a variety of amenities and services, including, supermarkets, banks, schools, hospital, library, and a host of hotels and restaurants. The climate is typical of the Colorado Plateau desert, with hot, dry summers, and mild winters. A wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities can be found locally as well as within several hours drive. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Wahweap subdistrict ranger Eric Scott at 928-608-6528 or email him at Eric_Scott@nps.gov. This position is slated to EOD May 2nd.
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.