German Tourists Charged with Vandalism at Joshua Tree

Three German tourists are under investigation for allegedly vandalizing property at Joshua Tree National Park in California, with park authorities accusing them of using paintballs to deface signs, bathrooms, and dumpsters. The damage was discovered on Sunday when a park ranger noticed fresh yellow paint splatter during a routine patrol of the campground. Upon questioning, the tourists confessed to firing paintballs using a compressed paintball gun and slingshots. The National Park Service (NPS) outlines that vandalism in national parks can result in severe penalties, including fines up to $5,000 and potential imprisonment for six months. Jeff Filosa, acting chief ranger of Joshua Tree National Park, emphasized the importance of preserving the park's natural beauty, stating that any form of defacement detracts from the experience of millions of visitors. He noted that the park often allocates resources to remove graffiti, which could be better spent on conservation efforts. In addition to the paintball equipment confiscated from the tourists, park staff discovered that at least 11 roadway signs near the park's west entrance had been targeted. The park, which covers nearly 800,000 acres, is now facing the challenge of cleaning up the damage. Conservationists have warned that the slow growth of Joshua trees means it could take over a century to recover from such acts of vandalism. This incident is not isolated, as there have been previous cases of vandalism in national parks, including a notable 2021 case where a California couple was fined $18,000 for cutting down 36 Joshua trees. The NPS has highlighted the difficulties and costs associated with repairing damage to park property.