The National Park Service is being asked to protect the only World Heritage Site in Texas after vandalism at the San Antonio Missions.
A group of tourists at Mission Concepción in San Antonio take photos of the historic landmark before boarding a sightseeing tour bus.A trend of recent vandalism incidents at the San Antonio Missions has put a spotlight on security measures, and three San Antonio lawmakers are calling on the National Park Service to implement a plan to protect the only World Heritage Site in Texas.
The San Antonio Missions National Historic Park is made up of four 18th-century Spanish missions — Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada — that sit along 7.7 miles of the San Antonio River on the city’s South Side. The World Heritage Site is, because the missions sit about 2.5 miles apart from each other and each one is still a place of worship to this day.
After the 2018 incident, the NPS said Bexar County and SAPD added more park police to patrol the area. After the 2022 incident, security cameras were updated. And new lighting in the area is helping for safety at night, director of the missions Rebecca Simmons said. “When they try to break in a door, … when they throw paint on the walls … then you have to get specialists in to fix that without taking away any of the historic structure,” she said. “When you damage the original stuff, then that’s gone. …When the missions are vandalized, the protocol is to call the San Antonio Police Department, which works with the NPS to investigate the incident.
“It seems to me there’s more shelterless and more drug drug issues popping up. There are people that I see walk by on the street that clearly are not well,” she said. Minimal funding from the government and possible budget cuts in current appropriation bills proposed could mean job cuts across the agency and delays projects at national parks, Lopez said, adding that Congress needs to act. Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Congressmen urge Park Service to protect San Antonio Missions from vandalismAfter recent vandalism at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, three Alamo City-area congressmen sent a letter to the National Park Service urging it to better protect the historic structures.
Read more »
UK national, South African and local guide killed in an attack near a Ugandan national parkA tourist from Britain, another from South Africa and their local guide have been killed in an attack on a tourist vehicle near a Ugandan national park, according to wildlife authorities
Read more »
UK national, South African and local guide killed in an attack near a Ugandan national parkA tourist from Britain, another from South Africa and their local guide have been killed in an attack on a tourist vehicle near a Ugandan national park, according to wildlife authorities.
Read more »
Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site begin deer-removal programOlivia's Pumpkin Pot Pie is roasted and served in a pumpkin for the ultimate autumn vibes.
Read more »
A park in her honor: Remembering the smile behind Brandi Fenton Memorial ParkJoin Claire every Monday through Friday as you start your day with Good Morning Tucson!
Read more »