Ranger Protection Services: Elephant Hill

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) is dedicated to preserving and managing local open space and parkland in wilderness and urban settings. Jointly, the City of Los Angeles and MRCA own 25 acres of land in Northeast Los Angeles (NELA) at Elephant Hill Open Space which is contiguous to a network of hilltops throughout NELA. The greatest concern at Elephant Hill is off highway vehicle (OHV) activity, in addition to illegal activities including trespassing, alcohol and drug-use that occur on site. The site is also designated by CALFIRE as a Very High Fire Severity Zone, the highest risk designation, and illicit activities such as smoking and vehicle exhaust increase fire ignition risk which pose a threat to the densely surrounding community.

MRCA will deter illegal uses, access to the site, and enforce its no recreational OHV usage by assigning park ranger patrols to increase user safety, protect the parks’ natural resources, and reduce wildfire risk. MRCA rangers are sworn peace officers and fulfill professional positions involved in the law enforcement and visitor services functions. These classifications have full peace officer powers pursuant to California state Penal Code Section 830.2 and perform the full range of duties and responsibilities in accomplishing their assignments. Pursuant to Penal Code 830.31(b), MRCA rangers are peace officers in California and meet the requirements of HR218 and are permitted to fulfill their responsibilities under title 18 section §926B of the United States Code.

MRCA has its own Ranger division, which will patrol the Elephant Hill and other NELA sites. MRCA parkland does not have any recreational OHV trails. Elephant Hill Open Space is frequently used for illegal OHV recreation, and that use has damaged the natural resources and habitat. The property is protected for public open space for conservation purposes and to protect its natural resources. Illegal OHV use has been directly observed by park staff, neighbors and park users, and documented by MRCA cameras. Internet sites have encouraged OHV enthusiasts to visit this site. Photos depict the contours that have developed on-site from OHV usage. Vehicles such as ATVs, motorcycles, side-by-sides, and others have utilized the parkland space illegally, hence the need for this site to have dedicated patrols to patrol OHV usage and illegal uses/access. To increase user safety and prevent further damage to the natural resources and habitat, we must inform the public at the site that such usage is not allowed.