I found a short article on Fox News.com regarding results of under-funding of our national wildlife refuges. Here is a short excerpt from the article.
"A decrease in law enforcement has left the refuges vulnerable to criminal activity, including prostitution, torched cars and illegal immigrant camps along the Potomac River in suburban Washington; gay sex hookups in South Carolina and Alabama; methamphetamine labs in Nevada; and pot growing operations in Washington state."
I am posting this a cautionary note that vigilance is required when you visit refuges. Keep your eyes open, and be aware of your situation. Criminals don't like cameras!
I'll extend that beyond Parks to include national forests Preston.
I well remember brushwhacking through dense growth along a northern California stream and finally realizing that the "brush" was a pot plantation. And yes, once it dawned on me, vigilance turned up some booby traps. I can't imagine how I missed one of them, and I'm sure it wasn't mud on the punji sticks. You can bet your hiney that I was in serious stealth mode all the way back to my truck.
That'll get expensive, bruh - might I recommend abstinence?
Cheers
Carl
Posted by Kent Staubus on May 24, 2008 at 11:59 PM
You tend to look at life differently when you have kids to protect and care for. There are some nice parks near where I live, but at times in the past they have been taken over by shady charecters or kids drinking beer. Usually it has been concerned parents that complained and got things cleaned up again, not park employees etc.
I am the last person to foster fear and hatred. As I said, I posted this so that people would be aware that activites such as those described above do occur, and we need to be vigilant. If I did foster such emotions inadvertently, then I sincerely apologize.
Anyone visiting a refuge can see the results of the underfunding, but they may not see the clandestine activities until it too late. I am a fireman (23 years) and have seen firsthand the aftermath of the activities noted in the article. My goal was simply to, perhaps, prevent something untoward from happening to any of us.
I interpretted your post as you intended, and think it was the right post for folks soon heading out into the hills.
The post belongs here, while the subsequent chest pounding can go away, as far as I'm concerned. That's pure photo.net stuff.
Posted by Kent Staubus on May 25, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I would agree that more funding to keep this and other kinds of illegal activity out of our public parks is important. The parks employees are generally stretched too thin and overwhelmed, so I always just call the sherriff's dept. when I see something suspicious. They usually seem to have the resources to respond. Our parks should be safe for everyone, especially our kids.
One, the parks are underfunded and everyone should be pushing their government officials to properly fund our heritage sites. As a member of the Board of Directors for an Historic Site which is maintained by the State, I fully see the results of underfunding. We are trying to help solve this in many ways. I recommend that as many photographers as possible get involved with the "Friend's" groups of your state to help solve this situation. As a by-product, you may get many insider photographic opportunities that the general public will miss. And at the same time, you are actually helping the "park" of your choice!
Two, there are all types of activities happening in the parks. They also happen everywhere else. Your best defense whether in the wooded lands or the inner-city jungle is to be aware of your surroundings and the inherent dangers you may encounter. Understand the problems you could be getting into and figure out if it is worth the images you will make. Danger is danger no matter where it happens. Try to get knowledge of a site's dangers before you go and you will have the data to make the decision to go or not.
Discussion
14 repliesI found a short article on Fox News.com regarding results of under-funding of our national wildlife refuges. Here is a short excerpt from the article.
"A decrease in law enforcement has left the refuges vulnerable to criminal activity, including prostitution, torched cars and illegal immigrant camps along the Potomac River in suburban Washington; gay sex hookups in South Carolina and Alabama; methamphetamine labs in Nevada; and pot growing operations in Washington state."
I am posting this a cautionary note that vigilance is required when you visit refuges. Keep your eyes open, and be aware of your situation. Criminals don't like cameras!
-PB
Cheers
Carl
I well remember brushwhacking through dense growth along a northern California stream and finally realizing that the "brush" was a pot plantation. And yes, once it dawned on me, vigilance turned up some booby traps. I can't imagine how I missed one of them, and I'm sure it wasn't mud on the punji sticks. You can bet your hiney that I was in serious stealth mode all the way back to my truck.
I don't smoke but I find torching a car after sex quite satisfying.
That'll get expensive, bruh - might I recommend abstinence?
Cheers
Carl
Kent in SD
I did intend for my post to become a political, or otherwise, hot potato. So...
Jim: Would you please move this to Hot Topics? Thanks.
-PB
Cheers
Carl
I am the last person to foster fear and hatred. As I said, I posted this so that people would be aware that activites such as those described above do occur, and we need to be vigilant. If I did foster such emotions inadvertently, then I sincerely apologize.
Anyone visiting a refuge can see the results of the underfunding, but they may not see the clandestine activities until it too late. I am a fireman (23 years) and have seen firsthand the aftermath of the activities noted in the article. My goal was simply to, perhaps, prevent something untoward from happening to any of us.
Kind Regards,
-PB
The post belongs here, while the subsequent chest pounding can go away, as far as I'm concerned. That's pure photo.net stuff.
Kent in SD
One, the parks are underfunded and everyone should be pushing their government officials to properly fund our heritage sites. As a member of the Board of Directors for an Historic Site which is maintained by the State, I fully see the results of underfunding. We are trying to help solve this in many ways. I recommend that as many photographers as possible get involved with the "Friend's" groups of your state to help solve this situation. As a by-product, you may get many insider photographic opportunities that the general public will miss. And at the same time, you are actually helping the "park" of your choice!
Two, there are all types of activities happening in the parks. They also happen everywhere else. Your best defense whether in the wooded lands or the inner-city jungle is to be aware of your surroundings and the inherent dangers you may encounter. Understand the problems you could be getting into and figure out if it is worth the images you will make. Danger is danger no matter where it happens. Try to get knowledge of a site's dangers before you go and you will have the data to make the decision to go or not.
Troup Nightingale
Cheers
Carl