I’m reposting this from the Death-Valley.net forum. The suspect was reportedly en route to King of the Hammers. (I recall a conversation with BigMike at FJ Summit about how one bad apple can help to destroy the reputation of responsible off-roaders; hopefully that won’t happen with this situation.) If anyone here has suggestions of where else I can share this post, please let me know. Thanks!
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Death Valley National Park would like public help in solving a multiple vandalism that occurred during the January 2019 federal government shutdown.
These were discovered earlier this year, possibly because they were in remote locations, some of which are often accessible only with 4wd and/or high clearance. The person of interest (details in media release) was reportedly enroute to an event called King of the Hammers, an offroad vehicle gathering in Riverside County.
The media release is not yet on the park website, but when it is, it will have photos of the damage done to natural and historic features. Here is the text of the press release.
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Rangers Seek Assistance Identifying Vandal
DEATH VALLEY, CA –Death Valley National Park Rangers are investigating repeated incidents of vandalism over the past two years and seek the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect.
Early this year, rock faces, buildings, and other infrastructure were vandalized with graffiti that reads in part “Steve & Lacy.” Similar acts of vandalism occurred during the federal government shutdown in early 2019, possibly by the same person. This individual is suspected to be a male from Grand Forks, British Columbia who traveled with a dog named Lacy on his way to an event called King of the Hammers.
Park Rangers are seeking any information that could aid this investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB). Their tip line can be reached via call or text at: 888-653-0009; online at
www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip,” or emailed to nps_isb@nps.gov.
Graffiti and other forms of damage to parks is illegal. The “Steve & Lacy” graffiti was found on rocks and historic structures in Echo Canyon, Butte Valley, Homestake Dry Camp, and Crankshaft Junction. Defacing any part of the national park degrades the experience of other visitors. Repair of vandalized sites is costly and time consuming, and often cannot restore the site to its former condition in some cases permanently defacing unique historic sites or natural features.
“It is heartbreaking to see treasures like Death Valley National Park get damaged by intentional acts such as these,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “We ask park visitors to help us find those who should be held responsible, and thank hard working park rangers for efforts to prevent further damage.”
Park rangers are still patrolling Death Valley National Park during the current temporary closure due to coronavirus. Through traffic is allowed on CA-190 and Daylight Pass Road.
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