German Tourists Fined for Vandalizing Iconic National Park

German tourists have been cited after authorities say they admitted to vandalizing property and structures at Joshua Tree National Park, according to a press release from the National Parks Service (NPS) and a report in The New York Times.

A park ranger discovered “fresh yellow paintball splatter on structures and signs” while doing rounds early on the morning of August 4. Other rangers were summoned to investigate and during a search of the area located a vehicle, inside of which was a slingshot sitting “in plain view.”

When questioned, the owners of the car reportedly admitted to firing off paintballs using a slingshot and a compressed paintball gun the previous night. Rangers searched the car and seized three slingshots, a paintball gun, paintballs, and “other related equipment” as evidence in their investigation. Both paintball guns and slingshots are prohibited on lands managed by the National Park Service.

“Rangers also learned that at least 11 roadway signs along Park Boulevard from Jumbo Rocks campground to the Maze Trailhead, two miles from the west entrance of the park, had been shot with yellow paintballs,” the statement noted.

The release, which did not name the tourists, specified that they were from Germany and were cited for “vandalizing, defacing, or destroying property.” The violation carries a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison.

“Defacing or altering the NPS landscape, no matter how small, is against the law,” the park’s acting chief ranger, Jeff Filosa, said. “It diminishes the natural environment that millions of people travel the world to enjoy. The park is regularly tasked with removing graffiti of all types, using time and resources that could be better dedicated to other priorities.”

Maintenance crews at Joshua Tree National Park are currently conducting clean-up procedures in the affected areas. Back in 2019, vandals caused “irreparable damage” to the park during a government shutdown which left Joshua Tree under-patrolled.