Park authorities have issued citations for 21 tourists and visitors who entered Grand Canyon National Park after the government shutdown started. And in response — and in the face of the furlough of other workers — the park has bolstered its security team to monitor the land around the clock.
Grand Canyon Chief Ranger Bill Wright said to The Associated Press that the citations will go through the U.S. attorney’s office for prosecution or clearance. But even if the charges are to be dismissed, all 21 still have to appear in federal court.
Some of the 21 were caught on trails on the South Rim. Others were caught while trying to sneak onto the property via various less-traveled dirt roads.
Grand Canyon officials with the National Park Service also have complained that visitors have been caught trying to remove road barricades, AP said.
Despite the shutdown and the closure of the park, Mr. Wright said law enforcement will patrol the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Meanwhile, most park workers outside of the security and law enforcement section have been furloughed.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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