Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Friday, May 30th. the gate lock was busted off and we were quick to notify the Forest Service and the Sheriffs. On the following Monday, Fred Ballard, Erwin, and others arrived at the gate and found it busted wide open again. Fred replaced the entire lock mechanism with a spare, locked the gate behind him and proceeded to launch. Further up the drive, he came across two trucks that were on the road. Fred and others were quick to write down descriptions, license numbers and phone them to me so I could alert the authorities. Fred also advised the trespassers that they would have to wait a while to be escorted out of the now re-locked gate. The drivers chose to leave anyway and when Erwin got back down the hill to the gate, he found it busted wide open again. That's twice in one day. As quickly as possible, I drove up with a new lock system and met the Sheriff's at the gate. They took more info and promised to visit the suspects and try to shake a confession out of them. In the meantime, we've been asked to be vigilant and write down complete identifying information on any vehicles we see up there, and get the info to me or another club officer. We'll get it to Lisa who's logging all incidents as well as to the authorities. For crime, or vandalism, you can call 911 or Sheriff dispatch at 818 248 3464. Write it down an put it in your wallet please. Let's all also watch out for those 2 trucks; a Black Chevy 4WD P/U Lic # 6G50831 w/ a male Latino skinhead, and a grey Toyota P/U Lic # 8F076H8. I also recommend the following response when your asked by a motorist, "Hey, how can we get access through this gate?". The answer is "you need to be a landowner or own an easement". Our asserted easement rights entitle us to access.

I think (hope) this is a positive development. Control of our launch site is being tightened and we are involved proactively. Those who have been screwing it up will be identified and stopped, and we will be left with a cleaner, safer site with less damage being done to the environment. If the site does get under control with no more garbage and reduced traffic it could really be a more beautiful site than it ever has been. That little mountain has a special place in my heart. I fell in love with flying there. It would very satisfying to see it in the kind of shape I know we would keep if those not appreciating it were kept out.

I was watching that new monster hunting show on History and saw a trip camera set up that some one out there must be familiar with. Would it be useful to hide one somewhere to capture photos of everything passing at anytime? License plate height?

OR

Will this eventually pass? Do we just have to out last the disgruntled who resent the closure? The gate directly across the street guards access to a road I used to use. It's bent and beat but it's never seen open. Did the vandals just give up over time? Or is the design more robust?

Can a representative check the history of that gate with the Forest Service?

Jim;
The District Ranger told me yesterday, that people generally give up after a while, however, he'd really like to catch these guys and appreciates the assistance we're trying to give him.

I too have been looking at these video surveillance systems and think one might help. We have security issues in the l/z as well.