Griffith Park Rangers Serve and Protect

As a deputy national trail coordinator for Equestrian Trails for over 14 years, I have had extensive contact with the Griffith Park rangers (“The Robo Ranger of Griffith Park,” Aug. 31). I have witnessed many problems in the park: People attacking trees with chain saws, dumping large amounts of trash, setting fires, shooting guns, various forms of public sex acts, drunken drivers roaring along the dirt hiking trails, naked flashers and, of course, illegal mountain bikers in droves. In all cases, the rangers have been polite and incredibly patient with these scofflaws.

Steve Lopez’s attack on the rangers is appalling, rabble-rousing journalism, showing his ignorance of the situation. He admits that most of the people cited by ranger Doug Kilpatrick were actually in violation of park regulations. In my experience on park trails daily, the rangers are slow to ticket, preferring verbal warnings.

We support the Griffith Park rangers, acknowledging that they have a thankless and hazardous task. As users of the park, we want the rules enforced. The rangers are the ones to do the job, not the LAPD, which is overburdened and unfamiliar with the park.

Lynn Brown

Vice President,

Griffith Park Equestrians, Corral 38