Administration and Motivation: My Week at Antietam

Money has an enormous impact on many things, and last week I learned that the National Park Service is no exception. I had the privilege to travel from my place in Monocacy National Battlefield to Sharpsburg, Maryland, home of Antietam National Battlefield. Being our sister park, we share an Administrative staff with Antietam. Administration was the division where I had the least amount of knowledge before spending time with these amazing workers and people. I was lucky enough to follow around Kathy, our Administrative Officer, and Corey, our Budget Analyst.

Totally candid! Corey let me look over his
shoulder as he shared his knowledge.

The administration is mostly behind the scenes, but very involved when problems arise. I learned that our administration is so important because they have so many responsibilities that have a direct impact on many people. One of their duties is dealing with employee's money. They oversee and review the payroll, deal with the different kinds of leave time, and even work with the hiring of the best qualified individuals. They use so many different programs, and the most challenging part of my week was trying to comprehend all of the acronyms. My dad always tells me to never use an acronym if I can't tell you what it stands for, so I tried my best. We used FPPS (Federal Personnel Payroll System), PAR (Personnel Action Request), iQMIS (Internet Quarters Management Information System), SMIO (Safety Management Information System), and the be-all and end-all of programs, FBMS (Financial Business Management System). Yes, it is a lot to remember, but it is crucial to have so many procedures involved to ensure that money is being used in the best and most appropriate way. Corey shared with me that "FBMS has created so much accountability for what we do because everyone can see it, and everyone is involved." 

Aside from dealing with employee's money, they also deal with the park's money and property reports. These people have a stressful role and do a great job. I was thankful that in the middle of the week, they gave me the opportunity to follow former Temple ProRanger Jay Copper. 

Temple ProRangers of the past and the present.
Jay and I in front of the Visitor Center at Antietam National Battlefield. 

I want to thank Law Enforcement Officer Jay Copper for allowing me to tag along with him for a whole day. It is inspirational to see someone who was in my shoes a few years ago, now succeeding as a full-time Ranger. He answered every question that I asked (and there were many) and gave me advice that I will remember as I go forward. This experience served as motivation to continue on and make the most of my remaining time at Monocacy. Again, thank you Jay and the rest of the staff at Antietam for having me this past week. 

Only one week left!

National Public Lands Day 2013: Valley Forge NHP

Followers,

Working to remove a sheet of plastic 

On September 28, 2013,ProRanger Philadelphia participated in National Public Lands Day at Valley Forge National Historical Park. ProRangers Jordan Keiffer, Tia Solomon, Renee Benson. and Jay Copper attended the event, which gathered volunteers from around the area and put them to work in the park. After arriving at the park, the ProRangers and approximately 15 other volunteers were assigned to the Catfish Island clean-up crew. Catfish Island is a small island located on the Schuylkill River, which is only accessible via boat. After receiving a morning briefing from group leader Ranger Bungard, we headed out to the boat launch, and began to shuttle volunteers to the island.

ProRanger Copper and a volunteer working to remove a metal drum.

Upon arrival at Catfish Island, we assisted in cleaning up the debris and garbage that finds its way onto the small strip of land. Over the course of two hours, we were able to find everything from fishing poles to car tires. Many of these items were buried beneath years of soil deposits, and some items were even tangled in tree roots. With the help of the volunteers (and some critical thinking), the majority of the buried garbage was able to be removed. Although we had limited resources, we were able to use the ideas of other group members and the items found on the island, to extricate the garbage. All of the garbage that was found on the island was deposited into bags, which will be picked up by park employees in the coming days. For larger items, we created multiple piles that will also be removed.

ProRanger Benson collecting tires!

At the conclusion of the day, we all gathered around the island's access point and assisted as volunteers were shuttled back to the parking area. Once all of the volunteers were accounted for, we began to pack up for the day. Under the instruction of Ranger Bungard, we were able to help in bringing the boat out of the water, and reloading it onto the parks boat trailer. This was a great experience, as only one of the ProRangers had previously been involved in boat operations.

National Public Lands Day is an awesome event that allows park visitors to get involved in the maintenance of the park, and volunteer for the day. It is amazing how much work can be accomplished when several groups work together. Thank you to Valley Forge National Historical Park, and all of the Rangers and volunteers that made National Public Lands Day a success!

One more bag!

You never know what you'll find!

ProRanger Solomon greeting volunteers!

 

At home on the water!

Thank you for reading!

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: ProRanger Jay Copper

 Followers,  

As I begin to reflect on my summer at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, I am reminded of all of the National Park Service memories that brought me to the Outer Banks. When I arrived at Temple University in the fall of 2010 I could have never dreamed of being accepted to the ProRanger Program by semesters end. As a freshly declared Criminal Justice major, I was introduced to ProRanger by Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Cheryl Irons. From that point, I was fascinated with the NPS and the duties of a Law Enforcement Ranger and I quickly began the program’s rigorous application process. By that Thanksgiving, I had interviewed for the program, and was already filing the necessary paperwork for employment. Before long, the spring semester had begun and it was almost time to be placed in my first National Park!

Old School! My first summer at HAFE

After much anticipation, I was informed that I would be working at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia during the summer of 2011! Immediately upon my arrival at Harpers Ferry, I was reassured that the ProRanger Program was for me.  That summer, I experienced more that I could have ever imagined. The staff at Harpers Ferry treated ProRanger Mark Clarke and myself like family, and our experiences taught me priceless lessons and information. A few of the highlights that summer, included working the Capital Fourth Concert in Washington D.C., meeting National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, and speaking to the community at Anacostia Park.

After a successful first summer, I was excited to start my second summer in the ProRanger Program. When the new placements were announced, I was thrilled to see that I was placed at Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland. A natural progression from Harpers Ferry, the Battle of Antietam was fought just two days after the 1862 Harpers Ferry Battle. This summer presented even more new experiences and great lessons from the staff at Antietam. As a small park, Antietam has a very close nit staff that enjoys working together. During my summer in Sharpsburg, I was able to do everything from making “blank” cannon ammunition to polishing bronze monuments that memorialize the forces that fought at Antietam. Throw in a Memorial Day parade, the Salute to Independence, and a trip to Fort McHenry for the “Sailabration”, and you have the makings of an awesome experience!

Folding the Flag at ANTI

All of these mentioned experiences and more led to this summer’s placement at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. After being told of my placement at Cape Hatteras, I was excited to see first-hand the place that I had heard about from past ProRangers. Of course, I was sad to leave the National Capital Region and all of the people that had a hand in my first two summers, but I knew that Cape Hatteras was a great park with its own set of new experiences and challenges. In my previous placements, I worked in smaller parks that focused mainly on their historical elements. Although I experienced a fair share of law enforcement work, it was spread out among many interpretation contacts and other collateral duties. At Cape Hatteras, the many park uses require the law enforcement staff to make many law enforcement contacts and proactively patrol the parks roads and beaches. Since Cape Hatteras has jurisdiction on North Carolina Highway 12 between the villages, the Off-Road beaches in the park, and the park roads, this includes a fair amount of traffic enforcement.

July 4, 2011- Lincoln Memorial

On my first day at Cape Hatteras, the importance these traffic duties would quickly become apparent. After meeting with my Supervisor Ranger Mark Krebs, Ranger Krebs and I began our drive to park headquarters (50 miles away) to start the check-in process. Almost immediately after leaving the park, we observed a vehicle weaving between the center yellow lines and the white “ghost” line. Ranger Krebs initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, and obtained the drivers information. An investigation revealed that the driver had been on the phone as he was driving, causing him to weave on the roadway. Although this traffic stop resulted in a verbal warning, it gave me an idea of what to look for during our patrols. For the remainder of the summer, we initiated numerous traffic stops, both on the roadway and on the beach. As a result of these stops, Ranger Krebs made two arrests for Driving Under the Influence, as well as tickets ranging from underage drinking to beach driving during restricted hours. All of these stops contributed greatly to my understanding of law enforcement procedure and gave me an opportunity to observe and assist with law enforcement contacts.

Defensive Tactics Training at CAHA

Cape Hatteras from the air!

In addition to traffic enforcement, we also responded to countless calls for service throughout the park. These included incidents that ranged from stuck vehicles, snakes in the campground, and disputes between parties on the beach. During these situations, I was often allowed to assist in solving the problem, and helping the law enforcement staff control the scene. After an incident, we would often conduct a small After Action Review that would touch on the positives and negatives of the contact. This practice gave me the opportunity to improve on mistakes and gain confidence when we identified positives. I will continue to draw on these reviews as I continue in my career, and I am thankful for what they taught me.

Fire Engine driving!

One of the unique features of the ProRanger Program is the opportunity to work with each park division throughout the summer. This aspect remained true at Cape Hatteras, where I worked with the Maintenance Division, Fees/Campground/ORV, Interpretation, Lifeguards, and Resource Management. My time with these divisions included everything from giving safety talks to lighthouse climbers, clearing trails, filing ORV Permits, paddle-boarding in the ocean, marking Loggerhead Turtle nests, and later watching the baby turtles hatch and march to the ocean. Additionally, I spent time with the Cape Hatteras Fire Crew and assisted in driving their Fire Engine back from headquarters.  During my time with these divisions, I learned many things about the Park Service, and how different divisions can work together to accomplish a common goal.

ProRanger Supervisor Krebs and I at CAHA

My summer at Cape Hatteras was very satisfying and I experienced more in thirteen weeks that many experience in thirteen months. The staff at Cape Hatteras graciously assisted me in any way possible, and they were always willing to give me advice. In the future, I hope to be able to take the lessons that I have learned over the past three years and apply them during a career with the National Park Service. This coming summer, I will be attending the Seasonal Law Enforcement Program at Temple Ambler, where I will be challenged to reach new levels and set new goals.

Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers of the Parks, Regions, and Offices of the National Park Service, and to all of the staff at Temple University. Without your willingness to offer advice and your dedication to the program, none the above experiences would be possible.

Thanks for reading, 

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 13

                                                                                                  ProRangers and Followers,

After several weeks and numerous days of new experiences, the time has come to write the final blog post of the summer. Fittingly, the final week here at Cape Hatteras has been especially unique. As mentioned in my last blog, I began this week by taking part in Defensive Tactics training, which was administered by a Ranger from Bodie Island's District. We began the class by going over the fundamentals of defensive movements and positioning. After practicing these basics, we moved to working with the ASP Baton and talking about possible scenarios for use. Next, I was shown the proper handcuffing technique, and was allowed to practice placing handcuffs on my supervisor Ranger Krebs.

After reviewing these fundamentals (positioning, ASP, and handcuffing), the instructor suited up in a padded suit and I prepared to encounter a few scenario drills. In order to increase my heart-rate prior to the drills, Ranger Krebs instructed me to run through the parking lot, and complete a series of push-ups and mountain climbers. Once my heart rate had increased, I ran back into the Ranger Station to encounter my scenario. In total, I was part of two separate scenarios, one resulting in me using my TASER, and another in using the ASP Baton (foam for safety). These two situations showed me how the body operates differently under stress and how "tunnel vision" can limit your awareness. It was a great experience to be able to use the techniques that I had just practiced in a scenario.

After my lieu day, I returned to work on Monday. As I was preparing for my shift, Ranger Krebs called to notify me of a fatal in the park. Due to this incident, we began our shift early, and immediately responded to the incident location. Once on scene, we blocked the entrance to the area in order to limit traffic. The Rangers, Deputies, and EMS personnel on scene advised us that the deceased individual was found unconscious in his vehicle by a visitor. The initial investigation revealed two suicide notes, as well as other signs of a suicide. After making sure that the investigating Ranger had photos of the vehicle, Ranger Krebs and I began to inventory the vehicle contents. At this time, EMS personnel removed the deceased for transport to the local hospital. We recorded each item in the vehicle, and took special note of items that could contribute to the investigation. One the vehicle was inventoried a local towing company removed the vehicle and placed it in the parks gated lot.

After returning to the Ranger Station, we further inventoried the evidence by placing it in evidence bags and labeling each of the bags. We carefully recorded items that may have contributed to the cause of death, and placed them in a locked evidence locker. Death investigations must be taken very seriously, and all evidence must be secured and recorded.

Later in the night, Ranger Krebs and I were patrolling the Cape Point Campground when a vehicle flagged us down. The passenger of the vehicle advised us that someone in a white van took their tent while they were at the beach. Immediately, we realized that the white van was our fee division, and that the tent was thought to be abandoned. Ranger Krebs and I retrieved the tent, and brought it back to the campground for the family. Then, we helped set up the tent and make sure that everything was accounted for.

At the start of our next shift, we followed up the tent incident with the fee supervisor. After searching the records, the fee staff found that they had not received payment from the campers in five days. Ranger Krebs contacted the campers by phone to investigate the lack of payment. He advised the campers of the cost and methods of payment. As of today, the tent has been removed and we are waiting to find out if payment was received.

On Tuesday night, another unique call occurred in the second park campground, Frisco. Central dispatch advised us that a group of campers had reported a snake in their campsite. Rangers Krebs and I went to the site, and found the campers huddled on top of their panic table. The campers showed us the snakes location, and we were able to locate the snake in a wooded area near the campers tents. Using a shovel, and trash-picker, and a borrowed plastic tub, Ranger Krebs and I were able to corral the snake into the tub, and transport it to another area of the park. The campers were very appreciative, and can now enjoy their time at Cape Hatteras.

Prior to being called to the snake situation, Ranger Krebs and I conducted several mock traffic stop scenarios. In a controlled environment, I made traffic stops on Ranger Krebs, and he presented different behavior as I moved through the scenario. Using "Red Guns" (plastic weapons), Ranger Krebs simulated many situations that occur on traffic stops. This was a great training tool, because it shows that no stop is "routine". The officer must be ready to handle any threats that are presented, and problem solve during the stop. Fortunately, we were able to film all of the scenarios, and look back at them for review. After watching the video, we discussed why we each did certain actions, and how we could make better decisions.

Later in the week, on Thursday night, we received a call that is unique to Cape Hatteras in August. Dispatch advised us that a vehicle was stuck on the beach due to a Loggerhead turtle hatching. While leaving the beach, a family witnessed 35 to 40 turtle hatch-lings goings from the dunes into the ocean. We responded to the area, and advised natural resources of the incident. Armed with advise from the natural resources supervisor, we found the nest site. Upon our arrival, all but one of the turtles had made it to the water. After assisting it, we began to search the area for additional turtles. Our extensive search yielded no turtle hatch-lings, and we directed the stranded vehicle through a clear area. Before leaving the scene, we marked the nest with PVC markers so that the morning turtle patrol could examine the site.

Friday marked my final day at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. As is custom, Rangers Krebs and I traveled north to headquarters to complete my final paperwork and have lunch.As luck would have it, our trip coincided with a birthday celebration for Virginia Dare (first English born child in the Americas).  Superintendent Trimble served cake and ice cream for the event, and I got to see the Lost Colony site one final time. After enjoying our ice cream and lunch, we headed south to Hatteras Island for my final checkout.

This summer at Cape Hatteras has been full of great experiences. Cape Hatteras offers excellent law enforcement opportunities, coupled with the unique characteristics of a seashore park. My 13 weeks in the Outer Banks went far to quickly, as I was able to meet many great people and gain several new skills. Thank to all of the Rangers, VUA's, Volunteers, and everyone who made this summer something to remember. Without your dedication, the ProRanger Program would not be possible.

Thank you for keeping up with my experiences this summer!

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 12

ProRangers and Followers,

As week 12 draws to a close, I have more experiences to share from Cape Hatteras National Seashore. I started my week working with Ranger Mark Krebs on the same "swing" shift as last week. During my first day back, we were responsible for covering both the Hatteras Island District and the Bodie Island District due to a scheduled court date for the other Rangers. Shortly after signing on duty, we received our first call for the Bodie Island area, a possible DUI driver parked at the Ramp 23 beach access parking lot. As we were responding, we contacted the reporting party for additional information as well as a description of the vehicle. One of the county deputies was in the Ramp 23 area, and advised us that she would search for the vehicle. After arriving at Ramp 23, we met with the deputy, who did not find the vehicle. Ranger Krebs and I also did not observe any vehicles matching the description.

As we were finishing up that call, the Bodie Island Lifeguard crew reported a vehicle parked near their stand, in a vehicle free area. Ranger Krebs and I headed north towards the Ramp 2 access in order to investigate. Upon arriving at he beach, Ranger Krebs and I found the described vehicle in a no vehicle zone. Since it is not our normal patrol area, we drove past the vehicle to inspect the beach signs and make sure that the area was adequately marked. Next, we contacted the ORV permit holder and advised them of the problem. Using discretion, Ranger Krebs decided to issue a citation to the permit holder. Being that the area was clearly marked, there was no mistaking the pedestrian beach as a ORV area.

On our way back to the Hatteras District, we heard a call for a possible domestic in progress near our location in one of the villages. Ranger Krebs quickly contacted the responding deputies in order to see if they needed assistance. The deputies confirmed that we needed to respond, and we headed towards the address. Due to our location, Ranger Krebs and I were the first ones on scene. Fortunately,the situation had digressed upon our arrival, and there was not an active domestic situation at the time. The responding deputy asked us to stay on scene for a short time, until the investigation was complete. After clearing this agency assist, we made our way back to Buxton. During our drive back, we conducted two traffic stops for vehicles exhibiting unsafe driving behavior and weaving on the roadway. After conducting HGN and PBT on both of these stops, it was determined that the drivers were not DUI. We finished the day by working in paperwork in the office, a necessary part of law enforcement.

On my second day of the week, I was assigned to work the early shift with Ranger Malionek. After signing on duty, we quickly checked the beach assess ramps for night driving violations. Next, we made a few repairs to the patrol vehicle and continued on our patrol of the park. After checking all of the ramps and patrolling the entire district, we returned to the office to catch up on reports and other needed paperwork.

Thursday, I was again assigned to the morning shift. As we started the shift, we headed out to the nearest ramp to check for night driving violations. Instead of finding vehicles on the beach, we found a much more interesting surprise, a homemade raft. Upon finding the raft, we immediately called the local Coast Guard Station to find out if they had any rescues in the area, or if they were aware of a stranded raft. As we were waiting to hear back from the Coast Guard, we cordoned off the area and attached a tow rope to the raft in order to keep it on the beach. During this time we also investigated the various items that washed ashore with the raft, and spoke to visitors who discovered the incident.

After speaking to the Coast Guard, it was determined that we could pull the raft from the water. By this time, the tide was coming in and it helped to free the rafts propeller from the sand. We continued to pull the raft with the patrol truck, but could only get it to move a few feet. As the rest of the park staff arrived to work, we were able to get assistance from the other Rangers and the parks Fire Crew. The Fire Crew hooked on to the raft with their Hummer and we attempted to pull the vessel with both vehicles. After a few different methods, we were able to get the raft out of the tide and to a safe place on the beach. Next, the parks heavy equipment operator arrived with a front loader and was able to carry the raft off the beach.

After speaking with the Coast Guard and examining the content and construction of the raft, we concluded the the raft was an refugee vessel, likely from Cuba. Inside the raft there was several cans of food, water, diesel fuel, and other signs of human occupation. It is unknown where the raft was abandoned, or the circumstances of the situation. The consensus among the investigators was that the raft was abandoned somewhere south of Cape Hatteras, and was carried by the current to the park.

After finishing up the raft incident, we finished up the day in the office. Near the end of my shift, Ranger Malionek and I decided to go to the shooting range to practice a few fundamentals that we had been discussing. During our time at the range, Ranger Malionek allowed me to practice with his .40 caliber duty weapon, a .38 compact handgun, and his AR-15. Throughout our practice session, we worked on basic shooting skills and found a pattern in my shooting. Now that we know where my shots are consistently placed, it will be easier to correct misses and work on improving.

Friday, I returned to the afternoon shift with my supervisor Ranger Krebs. After patrolling the campground and handling a lost and found item, we made our way to the office in order to complete paperwork, reports, and blog work. After eating dinner, we responded to a report of a marine mammal carcass on the beach in Buxton. We found the remains and moved them to a safe location so that the natural resources staff could identify them in the morning. As we were leaving the beach, we found a stuck vehicle and were able to block traffic while a fellow visitor towed out the vehicle. Just as the vehicle left the beach, a call came across the radio for an accident with injuries nearby. We quickly responded to that call. Upon arrival, Fire and EMS had already closed the road, and the Sheriffs Office and Highway Patrol were investigating. Ranger Krebs and I helped direct traffic around the accident, as well as remove the vehicles from the roadway.

After clearing the accident, we returned to the office to finish a DUI report. Tomorrow I will be taking part in Defensive Tactics training at the park.

Thank you for reading! I hope you all have a great week. ProRangers, enjoy your final week at your parks and SLETP!!

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 11

ProRangers and followers,

This week at Cape Hatteras I continued to work a variety of shifts with several members of the Law Enforcement staff. Throughout the week I was scheduled to work both the early shift, and the late afternoon "swing" shift. I enjoy working both of these shifts due to the diverse nature of the calls and incidents that occur  outside of normal business hours. As the summer progresses, I have been able to work a variety of shifts and have been able to see the differences between the many duty schedules. Each shift requires a slightly different set of skills and forces you to use your all of your senses to effectively patrol the park. This is an awesome challenge, and keeps you thinking throughout the entire shift.

On the first shift of the week I was back with Ranger Krebs. Since this was an early shift, we immediately made our way to the beach in order to check for night driving violations. On this day there were no signs of night drivers, which shows the effectiveness of recent patrols in the area. After checking the beaches and ramp access areas, we continued to patrol the park and check with incoming staff to gather information from the previous night. During our morning patrol, we decided to note a few of the missing signs in the park. Reports had already been filed for these missing signs, but they had yet to be replaced.

After identifying the needed signage, Rangers Krebs and I headed to the maintenance garage sign cache to pick up new signs. One of the signs required basic assembly,and then we were ready to install the new markers. With the assistance of the Cape Hatteras Fire Crew, we transported the sign to its location and used a post-hole digger to secure the sign in the ground. Then, we took the second replacement sign to its location and installed it on a preexisting post.

After installing the needed signage, we reported to the Hatteras Island Ranger Station to complete a few administrative tasks as well as test a few pieces of essential equipment. Each month, the AED's (Automated External Defibrillators) and PBT's (Preliminary Breath Test) must be tested and calibrated for safe and accurate operation. Ranger Krebs allowed me to test these devices, as he taught be the proper testing procedure. While in the office, I also completed required annual training via DOI Learn and reviewed other administrative paperwork.

On my second day of the work week, I was assigned to another early shift with Ranger Malionek. We began our shift by checking all of the beaches in the Hatteras District, and surveying the park for any overnight problems. During one of our trips to the Ramp 43 ORV area, Ranger Malionek and I observed a vehicle driving erratically over the beach features at an unsafe speed. Upon investigation, the occupants of the vehicle admitted to operating the vehicle in a way that was dangerous to the surrounding public, and caused damage to the resource. As a result of our investigation, the vehicles ORV permit was revoked and the driver received a citation.

Later in the day, Ranger Malionek received a third party report of a disturbance on the beach involving a fisherman and neighboring beach goers. We responded to this report and talked to both parties in order to understand the situation. In sum, the reporting party was upset that a fisherman was engaging in fishing in the area of their beach set-up, and they were fearful that swimmers would get caught in the fishing line. After hearing both sides of the disagreement, it was clear that neither party needed to be removed from the area. Ranger Malionek explained that both parties had an equal right to use the beach, and gave them each the option of continuing their beach activities.

This call served as an excellent reminder that the reporting party is not always completely innocent. It is the Ranger's job to gather all of the facts and to  decide who is at fault, and if any violation has been committed. In some instances, the reporting party may have just happened to call law enforcement before the other involved persons. The information given by the caller may not necessarily be indicative if what is actually occurring on scene. Once the officer arrives, they must make their own observations and piece together all of the available information.

 On the final two days of the week, I was back with Ranger Krebs working the "swing" shift. On Saturday, I began the day by taking the ferry service to Ocracoke Island in order to transport a vehicle back our Ranger Station. This summer has been especially tough on LE vehicles at the park, so we have had to lend and borrow vehicles from other districts within the park. After finishing the transport, Ranger Krebs and I patrolled the beaches and checked for ORV Permits. Due to the large volume of vehicles on the beaches, we decided to pay close attention to the ramp access areas.

During one of our patrols near Ramp 49, we observed a vehicle travelling over the speed limit. After initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle, Ranger Krebs conducted Standard Field Sobriety Tests, Horizonal Gaze Nystagmus, and a Preliminary Breath Test. These tests indicated that the driver of the vehicle had a Blood Alcohol level above the legal limit of .08. Ranger Krebs placed the individual into custody, and prepared to transport him to the office for processing. During this time, a second Ranger arrived on scene and helped secure the vehicle and explain the situation to the other occupant. At this time, Ranger Krebs transported the individual to the office, and the second Ranger transported the passenger to a nearby campsite. Due to malfunctioning door locks, the involved vehicle could not be fully secured. In turn, I was responsible for staying with the vehicle until further notice.

Once the passenger of the vehicle was at the campsite, the second Ranger returned to the scene in order to assist with watching the vehicle. As we were waiting for the tow truck to arrive, dispatch advised us of a possible domestic situation back at the campground. As Rangers responded to this call, I stayed with the vehicle to wait on the tow truck and make sure the vehicle was secure.

Soon, the tow truck arrived and picked up the DUI vehicle. At this time, the other Rangers cleared the campground and Ranger Krebs returned from processing the DUI driver. After some finishing some paperwork, Ranger Krebs and I cleared the scene and headed home for the night, while the other Rangers completed the domestic incident.

Thank you for reading this weeks blog!

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 10

ProRangers and Followers,

This past week at Cape Hatteras I returned to the Law Enforcement Division, where I will remain for the final few weeks of the summer. It feels as through I just arrived here on the Outer Banks, and it is almost time to return to Pennsylvania. During my past week with LE, I was able to work with several different Rangers, which allowed me to see different policing styles.

On my first day back, I returned to working alongside my supervisor, Ranger Mark Krebs. This week, I was scheduled with the night shift Rangers so that I could gain more experience working in a nighttime environment. Soon after coming on duty, Ranger Krebs and I were patrolling the Ramp 30 beach area, when we observed a vehicle on the beach operating without a visible Off-Road Vehicle Permit. Ranger Krebs initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. While approaching the vehicle, we noted an open container of alcohol resting in the dash board cup holder. Ranger Krebs questioned the vehicle occupants, and the passenger of the vehicle claimed the beverage. Next, Ranger Krebs received all of the occupants Drivers Licenses, and continued his investigation. Upon further inspection (with consent from the driver) Ranger Krebs observed a second open alcoholic container. This container was claimed by the second passenger of the vehicle. Prior to issuing any citations, Ranger Krebs conducted a Preliminary Breath Test on the driver of the vehicle, who was exhibiting signs of impairment. The test reading was below the legal limit, however, the driver was under the legal drinking age. In turn, his BAC was still too high to legally operate a vehicle.

After reviewing the State and Federal statutes, Ranger Krebs decided to write a citation to each of the vehicle occupants, two for open containers in a vehicle, and one for minor in possession of alcohol. The underage driver of the vehicle was instructed not to drive until his BAC was .00, and a suitable driver was found among the passengers. This incident is a good example of a minor violation (permit not in view) that developed into an investigation for alcohol violations. It is also an example of using discretion and logic to decide what tickets to write and what course of action is appropriate.


During the remainder of the week, I was fortunate to work with another experienced LE Ranger. On our first shift, the Ranger and I observed an ice cream truck operating inside the park boundary. After catching up to the vehicle  we decided to initiate a traffic stop based on the driving behavior of the vehicle as it had crossed the center line several times. After stopping the vehicle, the Ranger received a phone call from the Interpretation staff confirming that the ice cream truck was actively selling ice cream in the park. During our following investigation, we discovered that the driver of the vehicle had a valid drivers licence, but was not currently carrying it in the vehicle. As a result, we had to find the drivers information through the state database, by name and date of birth. After the information returned with no issues, we decided to issue a written warning for Business Operations in the park without a Permit. This regulation is in place in order to protect the park visitors and other business from unethical business operations and to make sure that all concessionaires follow specific guidelines.

As with any night shift, our duties for the week included checking the campgrounds, beaches, and the visitor center area for any signs of violations. In turn, we handled several calls for illegal campfires, pyrotechnics on the beach, and night driving violations. For many of these incidents, the violators lack the knowledge of park rules and regulations, and have not taken the time to review the terms of their ORV and beach fire permits. In turn, these violations are often as much about education as they are about enforcement through citations. As Law Enforcement Officers, Rangers have discretion to issue a citation, written warning, or verbal warning based on the nature of the violation. Sometimes, a warning coupled with education about the violation can be just as effective as a citation.Once a park visitor understands the reasoning behind a regulation, they are more likely to follow it in the future.  Still, it is necessary to be willing to write a citation when one is warranted. 

Next week I will be returning to the early shift, as I continue my time here at Cape Hatteras.

Thank you for your support of the ProRanger Program.

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 9

Hello followers,

This past week at Cape Hatteras National Seashore has been full of new and exciting experiences! I began my work week on Monday morning by attending Federal Court with the Law Enforcement Rangers at the park. The parks closest Federal Court is in Elizabeth City, NC, therefore, we had to leave early in order to be on time. After we arrived at the courthouse, the Rangers met with the Assistant United States Attorney to discuss their cases. Next, we made our way into the courtroom, where each case was put before the Judge. The Judge reviewed the details of the each incident, and called on the Rangers to give their account of the events. Then, the Judge would talk to the defendant and their attorney, to decide how the cases should be adjudicated. After weighing the facts of the case, the Judge made his ruling, and the next case was called.

Throughout the entire courtroom experience I was able to learn several things about presenting cases in court. First, the Rangers report is very important to the case. It may be several months before an incident is presented in court. Therefore, the Rangers report must include every detail of the incident for future reference. As a rule, it if is not in the report, it did not happen. Another tip that I learned was the importance of dressing professionally for court appearances. At Cape Hatteras, all of the Rangers wear long sleeve shirts, ties, and class A uniform components while at court. This uniform conveys professionalism, which is appreciated by the Judge. Also, it is very important to follow the rules of the courtroom, and to speak clearly when testifying.

After my day at court, I returned to working with other park divisions for the remainder of the week. On my first morning back in the park I was fortunate enough to spend time with the Lifeguard Division. As a National Seashore, Cape Hatteras is equipped with an extensive Lifeguard program that patrols the protected swimming beaches on all three major islands (Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke). My morning was spent with the Lifeguards of Hatteras Island, whose stand is located in Buxton near the Old Lighthouse site. I began my morning with the Lifeguards by helping them set-up their equipment and mark the beach area. Next, I viewed the beach from the top of the stand, as we all waited for our 30 minute Physical Fitness rotation. Once it was my turn to "PT", I attempted to complete the standard Lifeguard morning PT session. This includes running 1.5 miles on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and then practicing with the the rescue board. After completing the first two components of this training, I was given the opportunity to work with the rescue board under the guidance of the Lifeguards. Having never use a surf/paddle board, I was eager to try my luck at paddle boarding in the ocean! After learning how to mount the board, I practiced moving through the water while lying on my stomach. Next, I made the transition to a paddle boarding position, with only my knees contacting the board. After several falls and miscues, I was able to successfully move from lying flat on my stomach, to paddling while seated on my knees. This was a awesome experience that one can only get at a park like Cape Hatteras!

After spending my morning with the Lifeguard crew, I moved over to the ORV Permit Office for the remainder of the day. Since this was my second stint with the ORV crew, I felt more conformable and I was able to assist the Rangers in their duties. During the middle of my shift at the ORV Office , Ranger Krebs stopped by to let me know that the park pilot had agreed to take me on a flyover of the park during the next day!

Cape Hatteras is very unique in the fact that they have a park pilot on the Law Enforcement staff. Since there are multiple airports in the park, the pilot is able to assist Rangers in patrol and can also help with wildlife studies and other park management duties. For my flyover, I traveled to the parks airplane hanger, where I met with the park pilot. Shortly after arriving at the airport, we were taxiing to the runway and taking-off! On this flyover, we started at the northern end of the Seashore, and flew south to the Hatteras Inlet. On the day of my flight, the water was extremely calm and clear, allowing us to see many schools of fish, a shipwreck, and even sharks swimming in the water. This was an amazing experience, and it was great to see the park fro m the air! From the view of the plane, you can truly see that the Outer Banks are only a small set of barrier islands that are threatened by the wind and waters of the Atlantic.

After my flyover, I returned to Hatteras Island where I reported to the Frisco Campground. The Frisco Campground is one of Hatteras District's two campgrounds, offering primitive camping to park visitors. Visitor Use Assistants (VUA's), staff the campground during the day in order to take payments from campers and sign visitors into the campground. During my two days at the campground, I learned how the check-in/out process works, and I was able to assist the VUA's in managing the area. This included patrolling the campground via golf cart, and cleaning the campsites once visitors signed out. After my time at the campground, I had a better understanding of the rules and operating procedures of the campground, which will help me going forward.

Once I concluded my time at the Frisco Campground, I returned to the ORV Permit Office to close out my week. On this Saturday, the ORV Office was slightly busier then my previous days there, which allowed me to really get a full taste of the position. I really enjoyed working with the other Rangers at the ORV Office, and I was able to use their tips to help talk to visitors and make the permit process as easy as possible.

Thank you for reading this week's blog! Check-back soon for additional blogs from Cape Hatteras National Seashore!

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 8

Followers,

During the past week I have spent my time with the Cape Hatteras Maintenance Division. The Maintenance Division is in charge of insuring that the park stays in tip-top condition, and that the visitors and staff have the best possible facilities for work and enjoyment. Throughout my time with maintenance, I experienced all of the required duties of the staff and was allowed to work on multiple projects.

Newly cleaned warehouse area

On my first day with maintenance, I spent the first part of the morning in the Cape Hatteras "Historic District". This area of Buxton, NC encompasses the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, visitors center, and the museum. The entire maintenance staff starts at this location each morning, in order to get all of the maintenance tasks completed before the visitation increases. My duty for this morning was to sweep out the steps and landings of the lighthouse. As mentioned in previous blog posts, there are 248 steps in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (257 if you count the 9 granite steps at the base!) Each morning, these steps and the 8 landings must be swept. This involves climbing to the top of the structure, and using a broom to clean each step on the way down. Sweeping the lighthouse was a great way to start the week, and it was refreshing to get in some exercise early in the morning!

After finishing the Historic District Duties, another worker and myself picked up litter and trash in the Buxton area. Next, we returned to the maintenance yard where we were assigned a cleaning project for the remainder of the day. The maintenance warehouse was in need of cleaning and reorganization, a perfect task for a warm summer day! Throughout the afternoon, we worked to organize the warehouse according to each area of work (plumbing, electrical, etc.). We also were able to recycle a few out of service items and free up additional space in the warehouse. At the conclusion of the day, the warehouse looked better than ever, and the maintenance staff was excited to see the improved area.

Freshly painted donation box

On my second day with maintenance I was given an independent project. At the entrance to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, a small scale "Iron Ranger" is positioned for visitors to donated funds to the park. This donation box is painted with stripes that are made to resemble the real lighthouse. Unfortunately, the replica lighthouse donation box had fallen into disrepair, and was in need of a new coat of paint. On this morning, the maintenance supervisor assigned me to repaint the box! After receiving supplies, I carefully taped off the white strips of the "lighthouse". Next, I painted the white stripes and allowed the paint to dry before removing the painters tape. The next step in the process was to repaint the black stripes on the lighthouse. Due to the fragile nature of the fresh paint, I was unable to protect the freshly painted white stripes. Instead, I decided to "freehand" the application of the black paint. With much care and patience, I was able to successfully finish the painting of the lighthouse without making too many errors. Once I touched up a few spots, the lighthouse looked as good as new!

Following completion of my project, I rejoined the maintenance staff at the Cape Point Campground, where basic landscaping duties were underway. I was given the opportunity to use a string trimmer (known as a weed wacker, or weed eater to some) in order to trim the grass around each campsite. Maintaining the campsites is crucial to the campground operations, as it reduces the amount of bugs and snakes in the area and keeps the campground looking professional.

Trimming near the cabin housing area

My third day with maintenance was spent primarily using the string trimmer to maintain the grass at several locations and to widen the Buxton Woods hiking trail. The Buxton Woods trail is a .75 mile hiking loop that allows visitors to experience North Carolina's coastal woods. Periodically, the brush on the sides of the trail must be trimmed back to allow for safe passage. On this day, two of us were assigned to this project. In order to make the most of our time, we decide to each start on one end of the loop and meet in the middle. Following almost four hours of trimming, we were able to complete the trail maintenance. I really enjoyed this project, as it gave me an opportunity to experience the trail while still completing the needed work.

Power Washed section of fence

During my final two days with maintenance I completed several other small projects that were important to park operations. The most interesting of these assignments was my opportunity to power wash the wooden fence that surrounds the ranger station property. In the next few weeks, the maintenance staff is welcoming in YCC students who will be painting the ranger station fence. Prior to their arrival, the fence must be power washed in order to remove any dirt and debris that has accumulated over the past few years. Due to the location of the fence, it was necessary to use a park fire-hydrant as a water supply for the power washer. I was given to responsibility of making sure that all of the equipment required to use the hydrant was available and was tasked with finding a suitable adapter that could reduce fire hose to garden hose. Luckily,  another worker and I were able to build an adapter that would work for our project. After all of the supplies were found, we were ready to begin work! We began my hooking up all of our connections and insuring that everything was in working order. Next, we turned on the hydrant, started the power washer, and began the washing process. Over the course of the day we were able to wash a large section of fencing. This will allow the YCC workers to begin painting sooner, and help make the project run efficiently.

Fence washing in progress

During my week with maintenance I was able to experience the majority of maintenance duties. Additionally, I was allowed to work on a few independent projects around the park. This was a great learning experience that will benefit me during my last 4 weeks here at Cape Hatteras, and in the future.

Thank you for reading! 

Jay Copper

Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Week 7

Hello followers!

This week at Cape Hatteras I made my transition back to the Law Enforcement Division, after working with other park divisions over the past few weeks. In addition to rejoining the Law Enforcement Rangers, this week also presented several new experiences. Since my last shift with LE, my supervisor (Ranger Krebs) has switched his schedule to the night shift. Prior to this week, I had not worked any night shifts at Cape Hatteras. Like any schedule change, working the night shift has a completely different "feel" and the duty responsibilities change slightly. Add to these changes a busy holiday weekend, and you have a very interesting and exciting week!

Ramp 49 on July 4th Weekend: Over 300 vehicles were on the beach at this time.

As with any summertime attraction, Cape Hatteras experiences a significant increase in visitation during the Fourth of July weekend. As a result, a portion of each of my shifts this week were spent assisting visitors and  handling minor violations. One such incident involved assisting a visitor whose vehicle was stuck on the beach. Although these incidents are fairly common at Cape Hatteras, this particular call was my first "stuck-vehicle" of the summer. Park policy prevents Rangers from towing or otherwise removing a stuck vehicle, however, we are permitted to help the visitors dig, deflate tires, and provide advice. On this incident, we were able to assist in digging out the vehicle and deflating the tires to help gain traction. Soon after we cleared the scene, the visitor was able to extricate the vehicle from the sand. Throughout the weekend, I would assist in a few other similar calls involving automobiles. On one call, I was able to use a "Big Easy" tool in order to gain entry to a vehicle after the owner misplaced the keys. While these types of calls seem basic, they are a major part of the job and they assist visitors while they enjoy the park.

Another "first" for me during this week was an EMS response to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. During the heat of the summer, visitors often become dehydrated and ill during the 257 stair climb to the balcony. In turn, Rangers respond to several medical calls at the lighthouse each year. Aside from participating a a practice "carry-out drill" earlier this summer, I have not been on duty for a EMS call at the lighthouse. This fact changed last week when Ranger Krebs and I responded to assist with a heat-related illness of the sixth landing of the lighthouse. Upon arrival, we found that the lighthouse staff and Rescue Squad members had stabilized the patient. We assisted responding EMS units in carrying equipment to the patient, and then assisted as the patient was escorted to the ambulance. Fortunately, the illness was not serious, and the patient was able to rejoin their family.

4th of July Fireworks!

As with any holiday weekend, the week of the Fourth of July carries added concerns about Driving Under the Influence and other alcohol/vehicle related violations. In order to mitigate the number of incidents in the area, the Law Enforcement Rangers and local Sheriff Deputies often work together to preform drivers licence checkpoints. During my shift last Wednesday, I was allowed to participate in one of these checkpoints. As with any roadside operation, safety is the number one priority of the officers. We all were equipped with traffic vests and flashlights, in addition to the emergency lights on our vehicles. The drivers licence checkpoint allows officers to check drivers for a valid license, as well as reminding them to drive safe during the holiday weekend. Additionally, the checkpoint slows down any potential DUI suspects, and gives officers the opportunity to contact anyone that is driving impaired. I was very fortunate to be able to participate in this operation, and I gained valuable law enforcement experience as a result.

One of the primary duties of the night shift Rangers is to patrol the parks two campgrounds and check the ORV areas for any signs of night-driving. After 2100 hours, campground guests are asked to observe quiet hours. In order to enforce this standard, Rangers patrol the area by foot and vehicle during the nighttime hours. Foot patrol has many benefits, including talking with the visitors and gaining knowledge about the groups staying in the campground. Throughout the week, Rangers Krebs and I patrolled the campground several times, including a night of foot patrol. Our presence at the campground prevented any incidents from occurring later in the night, and allowed visitors to voice any concerns about surrounding campers.

On my final night of the week, Ranger Krebs and I decided to patrol the beach areas in an effort to deter Driving Under the Influence violations and insure that the ORV regulations were being followed. After patrolling the area and answering a few calls of service, Ranger Krebs and I observed a vehicle travelling off of the beach, and the operator was not wearing a seat belt. Ranger Krebs initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. On initial contact, Ranger Krebs smelled the presence of alcohol, and proceeded to question the occupants about their recent alcohol consumption. Next, Ranger Krebs conducted Standard Field Sobriety Tests on the operator of the vehicle to determine if the driver was impaired. After the operator failed the tests, Ranger Krebs administered a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). The results of the test showed the the operator's Blood Alcohol Content exceeded the legal limit (.08)  for operating a motor vehicle. Ranger Krebs placed the operator of the vehicle in custody, and searched the vehicle for any additional signs of drug/alcohol use. Once the vehicle was secure, Ranger Krebs and I transported the individual to the Dare County Sheriffs District Office, where the suspect was placed on an intox. machine and processed. The intox. machine confirmed that the individual's BAC was .08, and the individual was formally charged. From there, Ranger Krebs spoke to the Federal District Judge, who ordered the suspect to be released on an unsecured. bond. Once all of the paperwork was completed, Ranger Krebs released the individual to a family member, and instructed them on how to contact the court for further processing.

This DUI incident was my first time witnessing an arrest, as well as my first time being on scene for an entire round of Standard Field Sobriety Tests. The experience was very insightful, and allowed me to see first hand  the entire arrest process, from the initial stop to the release of the suspect. Incidents such as these are when the ProRanger Program truly shines, and we are able to get a first-hand view of law enforcement in America's National Parks.

Following my week back with Law Enforcement, I joined the Maintenance Division for a 5 day assignment. Look in the next blog for more details about my time with Maintenance!


Thank you,

Jay Copper