Fighting crime at Hot Springs National Park | News

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KTHV) - Park Rangers are cracking down on crime in Hot Springs.

It's happening at Hot Springs National Park where officials are now publicizing convictions and guilty pleas to get the word out.

Just this week the park sent out its first notice to the media, announcing five people pleading guilty for DUI's Monday in federal court. It's kicking off a more proactive fight against crime, in perhaps an unlikely place.

From the steaming hot springs water below to the grand views from the top, it's Hot Springs National Park.

"It's beautiful and in the center of the town, you don't get to see this very often," Tourist Greg Smith said.

It's a pretty spot to visit for Greg Smith and his wife from Dallas. But it's one not without its share of crime, and not surprising to Smith. 

"Being close to a city, it makes it available for such things like that because it creates some hidden areas, some darkness, brings that element out," Smith said.

Park officials were not able to do an on-camera interview for this story Friday. But over the phone Park Superintendent Josie Fernandez says rangers here see quote "an entire plethora of crime" ranging from DUI's to sexual assaults.

This week, the park announced increased patrols and DUI checkpoints over the next several months for drunk driving. Officials also shared a 2011 study of crime stats, showing this park with 30 percent of all DUI cases in the entire Midwest Region of national parks.     

It's creating an unwanted splash here and one park officials plan to publicize when guilty verdicts or pleas arrive in federal court. All of it is making tourists like Smith, happy to return for a second visit.

"Makes you feel very comfortable to attend a park like this," Smith said.

The park superintendent also says the crime includes case of drugs, disorderly conduct and even some illegal gun possession. And while she described slight increases over her eight-years there, she wants to get the message out that rangers ticket for more than just speeding.

As for the penalties, the park reports a DUI conviction in federal court, for example, carries a maximum six months in prison and-or a $5,000 fine per offense. 

Statement from Hot Springs National Park

Multiple Garland County residents pled guilty to driving under the influence (DUI) within Hot Springs National Park this month, according to the park's chief ranger.

Karen D. Calin, Miranda B. Plyler-Oseguera and Michael S. White of Hot Springs; Lester R. Rowland of Jessieville; and James E. McFaarlane of Lonsdale; were ordered to appear before a United States Magistrate Judge on DUI charges on February 13, said Chief Ranger John Hughes.

The five pled guilty to DUI in U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas, Division of Hot Springs, and were either immediately sentenced or are currently awaiting sentencing for the charges.

DUI in the National Park is a violation of Title 36 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and carries a maximum of 6 months imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine per offense.

"As the busy spring and summer months quickly approach, Hot Springs National Park protection rangers will be stepping up our efforts to remove impaired drivers from park roadways to ensure our visitors have a safe visit to the area," said Hughes.

Recent analysis of 2011 crime statistics indicate that 30% of all DUI offences in the Midwest Region of the National Park System (which stretches from North Dakota to Arkansas to Ohio) were committed at Hot Springs National Park. 

"In an effort to reduce the number of DUIs within the park, we are increasing patrols and focusing on key areas to detect alcohol related violations and we plan to operate a series of DUI checkpoints over the next several months," Hughes said.  "Implementing these safety check points and increasing the number of patrol rangers in the park are other ways we hope to reduce the number of intoxicated drivers on park roadways."