By Mead Gruver
Associated Press
LARAMIE, Wyo. — An environmental group that advocates on behalf of government employees says anti-government rhetoric may have fueled a surge in attacks and threats against law enforcement rangers in national parks last year.
The group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says it used the Freedom of Information Act to compile a list of 158 threats and attacks against law enforcement rangers in national parks in 2009.
That’s up from 36 tallied in 2008 and the previous high of 111 in 2004.
The group’s executive director, Jeff Ruch, says he’s concerned that anti-government sentiment is partly to blame. He says the National Park Service should do more to track such incidents.
Park Service spokesman David Barna didn’t return messages seeking comment.
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