Triage law enforcement: Societal impacts on National Forests in the west

Uses of outdoor natural areas, like National Forests in the United States, have been undergoing change. Some changes, including criminal activities an d domestic terrorism, may have quite important impacts to outdoor enthusias ts and managers. Activities include some relatively traditional management challenges, like arson and thefts, and newer challenges. such as domestic v iolence and murder. To better understand the prevalence and impacts of thes e activities, selected managers in the western United Slates were interview ed in summer and fall 1998. Results indicate criminal activities and domest ic terrorism are found in both urban-interface and rural sites. The most pr evalent challenges were arson, criminal damage, domestic violence, dumping of household trash and landscape materials, marijuana cultivation. satanic cult activity, and thefts. Not as prevalent but found in almost all study s ites were body dumping, extremist group activity gang activity, murders, an d suicides. Managers felt that most outdoor recreationists were unaffected by the activities. Most managers noted the increasing prevalence and the co sts to management in time, personnel, and in other ways. They noted that th eir job had ceased being one of natural resources law enforcement and becam e one of "city" law enforcement. The findings of the study raise serious is sues that require additional research.