Crime is on the Rise in California State Parks
Crime in California state parks has increased by 300 percent in the last ten years, according to the Californian. In 2008, nearly 50,000 crimes were reported at California state parks. Last year, 62,575 crimes were reported in state parks, although crime in the rest of the state decreased.
One reason given for the increased crime rate is that park ranger staffing remained the same. Nearly 30 percent of park ranger positions are vacant, which is blamed in part on the low salaries park rangers are offered when compared with other law enforcement jobs.
The most common crimes in parks include trespassing in closed areas, refusing to pay entrance fees, and illegal parking. California violent crimes are rare, but have also increased in frequency in the parks. Some other concerns include drinking-related incidents, marijuana cultivation, and noise.
The number of visitors at California’s state parks has declined. A survey in 2007 found that people were concerned about gangs, drugs, and alcohol in the parks. Visitors are also spending less money for the first time in 10 years.
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