Rangers at Yosemite National Park are asking for the public’s help nabbing the vandals who spray-painted rocks on the trail to the top of Yosemite Falls last month.
If history is a guide, the feds will nab the taggers who painted “Fresno” on at least two of the larger rocks along the trail. About 30 spots were tagged altogether.
Perhaps you’ve forgotten about Casey Nockett, the San Diego woman who damaged rock formations with acrylic paint in seven national parks — including Yosemite.
After internet sleuths helped identify Nockett (aka “Creepytings”), she pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanor counts of damaging government property in Fresno federal court in 2016. She received two years’ probation, 200 hours of community service, and a two-year ban from all federal lands
Said Charles Cuvelier, who at that time was chief of law enforcement for the National Park Service:
“This case illustrates the important role that the public can play in identifying and sharing evidence of illegal behavior in parks. It is clear that the public cares deeply for the special places that the National Park Service represents, and the resolution of this case sends a message to those who would consider such inappropriate behavior going forward.”
How to Help Identify the Vandals
Odds are that someone will recognize the Yosemite Falls graffiti and know the tagger’s identity. Given the prevalence of graffiti locally, perhaps it will be the Fresno police.
Rangers say this defacing happened the evening of May 20, and they’ve already identified potential suspects.
So, if you were on the trail between 6 p.m and 11 p.m. on May 20 and saw someone with spray paint cans or tagging rocks, click go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, email nps_isb@nps.gov, or call or text (888) 653-0009.
And, if you have video or photo evidence, that’s even better.
By the way, vandalism of national parks is a federal misdemeanor, punishable by three to six months in prison and as much as a $500 fine.
