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A Vandal And His Dog Turn Themselves In At Death Valley National Park

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By NPT Staff - April 21st, 2020

Death Valley National Park rangers have connected with a Canadian man who has been vandalizing the park/NPS

A Canadian man has come forward to claim responsibility for leaving graffiti on rocks and historic structures in Death Valley National Park, though what punishment he will face remains to be seen. His dog, however, is blameless.

Earlier this month the park issued a release calling for information behind the painting of "Steve & Lacy" on rocks and historic structures in Echo Canyon, Butte Valley, Homestake Dry Camp, and Crankshaft Junction. 

Repair of vandalized sites is costly and time consuming, and often cannot restore the site to its former condition; in some cases the vandalism permanently defaces unique historic sites or natural features.

Park rangers had some leads pointing to the man’s identity, and appealed to the public for more information on April 14. 

The man who confessed said that his acquaintance saw the story on social media and brought his attention to it. “Steve,” a resident of British Columbia, called the National Park Service tip line himself on April 17. The following day he spoke with the investigating park ranger, confessed, and apologized.

Charges are pending. Penalties could include a fine and/or restitution charges. The man’s cooperative attitude will likely be a mitigating factor, said park staff.

Lacy is blameless – she is a dog, park staff said.

This graffiti happened in January 2019 and January 2020. Park rangers are still patrolling Death Valley National Park during the current temporary closure due to coronavirus. 

 

 

Comments

Submitted by MJH on April 22, 2020 - 3:23pm.

Jail a guy for paint while they let out criminals currently serving time for violent crimes... Don't think that will happen.  Put him on the list...not let him back in the US.  


Submitted by DENNIS on April 22, 2020 - 7:01pm.

Should be  Band from the US for the rest of his life


Submitted by KD on April 22, 2020 - 8:52pm.

Ban that guy from the U.S. for life. 


Submitted by Mark snow on April 22, 2020 - 9:31pm.

I think we have all done something  stupid in our life and if not then your a boring person so who are we to judge him and because he came forward and showed remorse I think a fine and restitution is enough and besides cavemen were graffiti  artists too 


Submitted by Mario on April 23, 2020 - 2:04am.

I've noticed canadians have a tendency to deface our parks. I saw a van load of canadians toss garbage into the grand canyon and a group of quebecois putting their cigarettes out on redwood trees. Just read log books what canadians say about Americans and the US. They have some big chips on their shoulders. You wont see me traveling to canada. 


Submitted by Barbara Taylor on April 25, 2020 - 5:02pm.

The fact that he confessed does mean a lot, but Steve, What the heck were you thinking? Why would you think that that's okay? In a National Park, if you see a visitor log with a pen attached then have at it! But a rock? No ! Bad Steve..........good lacey!

 


Submitted by Joshua Israel on April 26, 2020 - 1:25am.

Is there no respect left for our natural heritage?  Why does this vandalism continue to happen in our parks and wild areas. My father taught my brother and I, "LEAVE NO TRACE!"  Do people have no self decency anymore???  I understand why some would say, put them in jail, but the problem is much deeper.  Our moral and ethical code hopefully within all of us should say this is wrong. I rest my case. 


Submitted by Mike Damn Gillum on April 28, 2020 - 2:28pm.

I don't understand what goes through some folks mind. 


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