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Vandals Hit Minnesota Parks During Shutdown

State sites remain unattended

By Tim Karan, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2011 2:57 PM CDT

(Newser) – The government shutdown in Minnesota has claimed an unexpected casualty—state parks. Vandals ransacked buildings and burglarized parks over the holiday weekend, reports the Star Tribune. The most severe damage was done at a park east of the Twin Cities, where 12 people were arrested for allegedly breaking into camper cabins and an administrative building, burglarizing, and causing thousands of dollars worth of damages.

"This is just exactly the type of thing we're going to be seeing repeatedly as the shutdown goes forward," says the director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership. Residents are free to walk into the parks during the shutdown—which is about to enter its second week—but they are forbidden to drive in or stay overnight. "It's sad," says a representative for the Department of Natural Resources. "[But] when you tell people that there will be no one around, they will take advantage."

Vandals struck state parks over the holiday weekend amid Minnesota's government shutdown. (Shutterstock)

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Showing 3 of 11 comments

SPHeroid

Jul 6, 2011 8:56 PM CDT

Perhaps this is indicative of what will happen when the Republicans shut down the Federal Government?....

chuck92081

Jul 6, 2011 7:13 PM CDT

Why am I a whiner because I want to get my kids out of town to spend some time with nature in a park? Now the park's trashed because of stupid political grandstanding. "Parks don't need babysitters." Brilliant. Of course they do - when was the last time you went to a campground?

gomer99

Jul 6, 2011 6:01 PM CDT

This is all bullshit by the whiners. Parks don't need baby sitters. They just need normal law enforcement, like any other place. County sheriffs have jurisdiction in MN state parks. Gimmie more money, or I will inconvenience people. Uh, huh. The best thing MN state parks can do is get out of the way of the public and leave them alone to enjoy the park.

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Vandals Hit Minnesota Parks During Shutdown

State sites remain unattended

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crime • vandalism • Minnesota • trespassing • government shutdown

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Bars already can't renew liquor cards

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... Because it laid off all the workers who could calculate it

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