Opposing Viewpoints TOPIC: Damaging a state park tree-Slap on wrist would only encourage more destruction
A recent situation where two visitors to Rock Island State Park were fined $220 and sentenced to 15 hours of community service for cutting a tree at their campsite has generated controversy in some circles concerning the severity of the punishment.
Both of the individuals involved have been frequent visitors to the park and both claim they had no idea it was illegal to chop trees on state property.
While some feel a stern warning would have been sufficient, and the fines and public service amounted to overkill and will discourage these individuals from returning to Rock Island in the future, others feel the two should be punished to the full extent of the law and their claim of ignorance is no excuse for this destructive behavior.
Some also find it hard to believe that such frequent visitors to state parks would be unaware of the rules which govern them. They point out that people who camp in these areas are generally made aware at some point they are expected to police their campsite, pick up their trash and basically leave the area as they found it.
It’s also a pretty good bet these men wouldn’t have gone onto a friend’s property and cut down a tree without permission, and should have realized this kind of behavior just isn’t acceptable on state property either.
And if they didn’t, they certainly will from now on. Would a simple slap on the wrist have sent such an effective message? Probably not, and Rock Island might have been minus a few more trees.