A reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of individuals behind this vandalism at Cape Hatteras National Seashore./NPS
Joy riders out for a wild time ripped up parts of the Cape Point Campground at Cape Hatteras National Seashore with their free-wheeling.
Park rangers say the vandalism occurred last Tuesday night when someone drove through vegetated areas in multiple loops of the campground, destroying "significant areas of sensitive grass and low lying areas with tire tracks."
The national seashore closes its campgrounds annually during the winter months to camping activities but allow access for public entry to observe wildlife, wintering shorebirds, and jogging and walking enthusiasts.
"The recent senseless crime committed by vandals driving off-road, spinning tires, doing 'donuts' and circles in the grass, running over carsonite signs, breaking fences and ballards, and destroying the landscape leaves park managers puzzled," officials said in a release.
'We now may have to spend thousands of dollars to repair the landscape when those funds could be better spent on public access projects and more constructive amenities for our visiting public," said Superintendent David Hallac. 'The damage to public lands belonging to our local communities was unnecessary and may temporarily ruin the opportunity for others to enjoy the solitude of the winter season campground access.'
NPS law enforcement personnel continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the National Park Service directly at 252-475-9010. To leave anonymous information, you can contact the Dare Community Crime Line at 252-473-3111 or 800-745-2746. A reward for any information leading to a conviction in this case is being offered.
Destruction of government property is a federal criminal violation; each incident is subject up to a $5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment.
Comments
So once again, the NPS at Cape Hatteras National Seashore is trying to close an area to public enjoyment. Shame upon all those horrible bureaucrats!
Not only that, Lee, but the NPS is trying to make up their budget squandering on the backs of the humble fine-paying public.
Sensitive grasses? I'd like an explanation of this falsehood. The campground is closed. What winter season access is this clown talking about? They'll have plenty of time use up "thousands of dollars" worth of grass seed because with the new management makes the campground will go mostly unused since there will no beach access for pedestrians or ORVs.
The campground area now gets swampy and full of mosquitoes because the NPS fails to maintain the drainage system, they ruined my favorite campground long ago.
Today, I went 4 wheeling on Pismo beach. Good times!
Buxton, I tried reading this again after full glass of some fine adult beverage and it still doesn't make sense.
Adult beverage + ATV = Big Mess
My reading of Buxton's comment was he was suggesting responsible members of local ORV groups would find this kind of behavior as disgusting as he did.
His comment was certainly more appropriate that beachdumb's, whose reaction to the incident didn't express any concern whatsoever for the stupid activity or damage, but rather looked for another chance to criticize the park. If the report of damage to signs, posts and other facilities was accurate, it will take more than grass seed to repair the damage, and those ruts left by idiots will have to be repaired, or they will add to the drainage problems and standing water beachdumb complains about.
Guess if you're a one-trick pony, it's hard to change your tune.
Of course it was stupid and wrong, that is common sense. I don't joy ride Nor have an ATV.