National Park Service

A proper response must be made to Michael McCalley’s charge that the National Park Service is a “Gestapo-like organization” (letter, May 2). I have never encountered or observed a park ranger treating visitors without professional respect and helpfulness, in any of my visits to over 40 national park units in the last five years.

I have seen park visitors bring their own problems to a park and deliberately break clearly posted park rules, commit damage to the environment, or bring harm to property or others. The well-trained law enforcement park staff handle these situations with more tact and professional courtesy than most urban police officers. In my experience, all federal agencies with the dual responsibility for the protection of natural resources and public recreation do a fine job.

MICHAEL TOMPANE

Los Angeles

Tompane is co-author of “Easy Access National Parks,” a Sierra Club guide for people with disabilities.