In October, a cable barrier to United Park City Mines land near Brighton Estates was yanked down, taking with it four posts, including two that had been buried more than a foot deep in the ground. The lock on the gate nearest the Girl Scout Camp was cut for the eighth time in the past few years. Then, just a few days later, the chain itself was snapped. At about the same time, another lock barring access to UPCM land on the backside of Deer Valley also was cut. All of which left Daum wondering exactly what the criminals were after.
People are just so set that they have to go somewhere.
Although little physical violence has been reported, vandalism and trespassing have become a big headache for Daum and other property owners in recent years. Rory Murphy, vice president of United Park City Mines, says his company s property in the area has been vandalized many times, dozens of times. Not all the crimes have been unwitnessed. Some drivers of snowmobiles, sport utility vehicles and off-highway vehicles have boldly defied Daum and her husband Ralf when asked to leave the property around Camp Cloud Rim. One driver even went so far as to prevent Ralf from closing the gate after he had unlocked it, opened it and driven through.