Joshua Tree National Park has experienced several cases of vandalism, thefts, and violations of closed areas in the park. Due to two separate incidents in recent weeks, the park is stepping up its monitoring and enforcement of those in violation of no-entry areas in around the Keys Ranch area. Four citations have been written, although park officials have not released the names of those cited or what the offenses were. A statement from a park spokesman states “removing property from a national park is a federal offense punishable by imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.” Park Superintendent David Smith said in the statement, “It is sad that a small percentage of people lack the social conscience that most visitors have. Anyone caught in a closed area is subject to be cited and they will be prosecuted.” Keys Ranch is a 19th century homestead which is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a significant window into what life was like in the southern California desert a century ago.
ENFORCEMENT, MONITORING STEPPED UP IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK FOLLOWING THEFTS, VIOLATIONS
