Crime & Safety

Looting Artifacts from the Santa Monica National Recreation Area is a Crime

The Santa Monica National Park Service reports that someone was recently spotted by a park volunteer attempting to loot archaeological objects at Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park.

"Our volunteer ran across this person carrying a shovel," said Kate Kuykendall, NPS public information officer. "When [the volunteer] asked what the person was doing, he responded 'looking for artifacts. It doesn't hurt anyone.' Unfortunately, the incident wasn't reported in time to catch the prospective thief."
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Kuykendall wants to emphasize to the public that taking artifacts or fossils from local parks is stealing and is asking the public "to be on the look out for suspicious activity."

"Many well-intentioned people don't think there's anything wrong with taking home found objects, but that's not the case," she said.

Kuykendall offers the following advice:

1. Leave it where you found it. Removing fossils or artifacts (arrowhead, old tin can from the ranching era, a piece of shell far from the ocean) is like tearing pages out of a book–you lose the history and the context. 
2. Report suspicious activity. If you see someone carrying a rake or shovel, for example, call Angeles Dispatch (661-723-2704) or the visitor center (805-370-2301). Or tell a ranger.
3. Looting is a crime, and conviction can carry criminal penalties of up to one year and/or $20,000 (http://1.usa.gov/18yNq0u).


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