German tourists have been charged by authorities after they admitted to damaging property and structures in Joshua Tree National Park, according to a press release and a report from the National Parks Service (NPS). New York Times.
A park ranger discovered “fresh yellow paintball spatter on structures and signs” while on patrol in the early morning hours of August 4. Other rangers were called to investigate, and during a search of the area, they found a vehicle with a slingshot “clearly visible” inside.
When questioned, the vehicle owners reportedly admitted to shooting paintballs the night before using a slingshot and a compressed paintball gun. Rangers searched the vehicle and seized three slingshots, a paintball gun, paintballs, and “other related equipment” as evidence in their investigation. Both paintball guns and slingshots are prohibited on lands managed by the National Park Service.
“Rangers also learned that at least 11 road signs along Park Boulevard from the Jumbo Rocks campground to the Maze Trailhead, which is 2 miles from the west entrance of the park, were hit with yellow paint balls,” the statement said.
The statement, which did not name the tourists, said they were from Germany and were charged with “damaging, damaging or destroying property.” Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison.
“Disrupting or altering the NPS landscape, no matter how small, is illegal,” said Jeff Filosa, the park’s interim chief ranger. “It diminishes the natural environment that millions of people travel the world to enjoy. The park is regularly tasked with cleaning up all forms of graffiti, and this task uses time and resources that could be better devoted to other priorities.”
Maintenance crews at Joshua Tree National Park are currently conducting cleanup procedures in affected areas. In 2019, during a government shutdown when Joshua Tree was unable to be patrolled, vandals caused “irreparable damage” to the park.