Crime in Federal Recreation Areas

A Serious Problem Needing Congressional and Agency Attention Gao ID: GGD-77-28 June 21, 1977

To determine how federal agencies were protecting visitors to federal recreation areas, a review was made of the agencies' law enforcement programs. In addition, questionnaires were sent to 1,637 employees of 174 of the most frequently visited national forests, packs, historical sites, etc. Observations of the implementation of the law enforcement programs were carried out at 24 recreation areas.

Limited statutory authority, lack of applicable federal criminal statutes, and weakness in law enforcement hamper protection of the public. Federal laws protecting visitors and their property do not apply at many recreation areas, even though federal law enforcement personnel may be present. Existing law enforcement programs can be improved in such areas as training of personnel, crime reporting systems, and cooperative agreements with local police agencies. Standards and controls must be established over nonfederal police agencies hired to provide law enforcement.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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