Mt. Rainier heavy-handed policing

As Andy says, is the rudeness really more objectionable than the gate policy? There are plenty of days in the winter that I would love to show up late but have to shine the whole idea, because the gate "might" be closed at 5 pm and I would still be on the mountain.

One good reason for showing up late is to find out if the gate's going to be open at all, prior to driving there.

Thought some might be interested in some ‘highlights’ from “Assessment Of Department of Interior Law Enforcement“ written by the DOI Inspector General’s Office in 2002, which I just finished plowing through.   It’s a ‘Secured’ .pdf shared by a FOIA recipient that I don’t know how to link (or even cut & paste), so you’ll just have to trust my transcription:

“In general, law enforcement at DOI is aptly described by the conclusion about NPS law enforcement: ‘“…a profusion of conditions and practices in search of a system.’"   (p.10)

"The NPS in particular, suffers from such extreme organizational dysfunction that none of the NPS officials interviewed during the course of this assessment were able to explain just how NPS special agents were supervised and managed."  (p.10)

“Although estimates put the cost for operation of law enforcement [Interior] Department-wide in excess of half a billion dollars, the Assessment Team found that Bureau law enforcement programs are wholly incapable of accurately accounting for the cost of their operations.”  (p. 16)   

“When asked, the Acting Chief of NPS Ranger Activities Division could not provide a breakdown of FY2000 funding totals by park.  According to the ‘NPS – Annual Law Enforcement Report’ for fiscal year 2000, the amount of actual law enforcement expenditures reported was …$28.6 million less than the reported funding level.  NPS officials could not explain nor do they have the expenditure information available to identify the difference.”  (p. 16)   

Apparently, nationwide NPS crime statistics are “…not worth the paper they are sent in on, according to a senior official.”   (p. 36)

Summarizing the 2002 conclusion:  No new issues were reported; the problems identified in all previous reports [going back decades] continue.  (p. 40)

I realize this is old news, but it does provide a peephole into a very non-transparent, almost cult-like bureaucracy with a strong resistance to change. 

I realize this is old news, but it does provide a peephole into a very non-transparent, almost cult-like bureaucracy with a strong resistance to change. 

My experience in the last seven years or so:

- They are well trained to say the "right" things. "Thank you so much for calling today. We really appreciate your input!"
- They are well conditioned to saying the "right" things and then proceeding to do whatever they want.
- They are very happy soliciting outside input only when it is absolutely required and then largely ignoring it and proceeding to do whatever they want. i.e. check the public input requirement box, then proceed as previously planned.
- They provide the appearance of openness but are adept and avoiding answering direct questions and have an endless list of official-sounding excuses for doing so. The infamous fireworks incident is a prime example.
- In direct contradiction to what they say, there is one set of rules that they apply to the general public, and another, less stringent, set that are applied to the guide services and staff.
- They are master victims of their own red tape; "We'd really like to change that, but we can't because of regulation CZ34.6.7.aaa. Gee, sorry." I have yet to talk to a single one who said something like that followed by, "...and we are working to change that."
- They will bend and respond to an organized effort to shine a light on this and other stuff, but it takes an *organized* effort and we (the people who venture into the Wilderness areas of the park) are not organized, nor do we present a particularly consistent message. The guide services are very organized and so get a ton of what they want, including this abominable and expensive rebuild of Camp Muir.
- The issues of accountability and cronyism go to the very top of the NPS. People that don't play by that set of crooked rules don't tend to get very far or get pigeon-holed. That Dave Uberuaga has been twice promoted since he was investigated for his real estate dealings with RMI et al...I cannot fathom this.

Mike G. tried to help the bc community before going rogue federal in dc.
gator, you gave it a good try, thanks for the rescue operation service you enacted during your stint with your park.
your friend from undergrad,
bobby

So it's probably safe to assume that no one here has either received a ticket, or heard of anyone else who has.

Hmmm...

I'm guessing at this point that their policy is to lecture, not ticket.

Ski on!! (and learn how to fake a look of concern and self disappointment)

Better to beg forgiveness than ask for permission.....