Citations for charging our car at Yellowstone

[dmsail]

My wife and I visited Yellowstone National Park last weekend with our Model X. Neither of us had been there for 35 years and we were eager to see the magnificent sights in the park with a clean vehicle. Since Yellowstone is so big and the charging opportunities are so few I was anxious to plug in wherever I could. While visiting the Old Faithful area I plugged into a 14-50 receptacle near the Post Office. When we returned to our car a park police officer was waiting. He was noticeably upset and said that we were parked illegally (we were since I was off the pavement close to the receptacle) and that it was not a Tesla charging station. Moreover, he said that I was stealing electricity. Anyway, 40 minutes later, I got two citations: one for parking illegally and one for misappropriation of funds. The second one requires that I appear in court in Yellowstone in November. (We live in California). They had me smooth over the tire prints in the dirt so that other people wouldn't get the wrong idea that they could drive off the pavement. Also, he pulled out my charging cable so that he could hold it hostage at the ranger station to ensure that I would not drive away. Since the car was locked this broke the locking tab on the charging port. So beware fellow EV drivers--don't plug in just anywhere at Yellowstone.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Sounds heavy handed to me.

 

[kavyboy]

Anywhere and everywhere, always ask first.

 

[Derek Kessler]

So beware fellow EV drivers--don't plug in just anywhere at Yellowstone.

Common sense addendum: don't plug in just anywhere. ALWAYS ask first. Anywhere and everywhere.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Don't your tax dollars pay for that park? Doesn't it belong to "the people". I would never go there again.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Yellowstone is tremendously crowded with "the people"
Would be chaos without a governing presence.

Can't park where ever you want nor drive as fast as you want.

Lots of regulations.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

I would fill out a customer survey and let them know how you feel. If you have to go to court make them earn the tax they are levying on you. Is it posted on the plug that only X can use it? If I had been the officer I would have written a warning, what a prick (maybe if I worked at a National Park I would be prick too, probably a thankless job).

Happy Public Lands Day! National Public Lands Day - NPS Celebrates! (U.S. National Park Service) you can visit our park for free, but we will get revenue some other way.

 

[Uncle Paul]

You could argue that having that plug there is an "attractive nuisance" that would attract someone in your situation.

That you not trying to do anything wrong....but it was right there.

Maybe a small fine. Also might make the park aware that the EV fleet is being underserved and they should be proactive in supplying charging opportunities for those visitors.

 

[xyeahtony]

im more pissed off about the fact the park police broke the charge port pulling out the cord.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

So they damaged your car? or the receptacle attached to the electrical grid? I would be more than pissed... they would be getting a bill. That rent a cop was a prick...did you get it on video?

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Whatever you do, dont use the water fountain, you might get charged for that too...

 

[teethdood]

Man that sucks! I was there last month but with an ICE minivan. I only saw 1 Model S in the week that I was there. I saw some people posted online that the Old Faithful Inn parking lot has a couple of charging stations; is that not true? Was it a ranger or a cop? All the rangers that I met there were very nice and professional. We approached them and chatted just about anything relating to the park. That cop or whoever he is is a prick. If you don't want people using it, then put up a sign. It is a public place after all. And making you appear in court over $5 worth of electricity, knowing full well most folks aren't from Wyoming or Montana. Such a prick.

 

[dhrivnak]

Very heavy handed. Another option is to post your phone number so people can call if there is a problem. It may have saved some grief.

 

[kavyboy]

That cop or whoever he is is a prick.

Agreed, Reminds me of this (NSFW link). I mean, I get where the cop is coming from, but that's what warnings are for. I kinda got a stick up my butt about rules, but that's over doing things.

 

[cgrubbe]

im more pissed off about the fact the park police broke the charge port pulling out the cord.

Obviously shouldn't have plugged in, sure that's clear now.

To me this is the bigger issue, its one thing for them to unplug the UMC from the 14-50, it's another thing entirely for them to intentionally damage your property in order to "hold it hostage". Unplug the 14-50 and write the tickets, no need to go off the deep end and damage property. I would be in contact with their superiors and if necessary an attorney.

 

[azred]

An expensive electric car with California plates cruising around Wyoming. Sounds like a ticket waiting to happen, and it did happen.

 

[xyeahtony]

Obviously shouldn't have plugged in, sure that's clear now.

To me this is the bigger issue, its one thing for them to unplug the UMC from the 14-50, it's another thing entirely for them to intentionally damage your property in order to "hold it hostage". Unplug the 14-50 and write the tickets, no need to go off the deep end and damage property. I would be in contact with their superiors and if necessary an attorney.

he was no doubt jealous and hated your car the second he laid eyes on it. writing a ticket and putting it on the windshield would've been more than enough instead of waiting around for you. And this is why crimes go unnoticed in public parks because the "police" are too busy doing asinine things like this.

 

[DCGOO]

There are tons of legitimate places to charge in Yellowstone. Worst case, he *could* have rented a campsite and plugged in. His fault, no sympathy.

 

[Terthen]

I side with those saying that was a bit much. I’d always try to ask, but that just seems like officer was having a bad day or maybe this happens a lot more than the rest of us think (but then just post a sign).

Thanks for warning the rest of us

 

[MXWing]

There’s the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.

I do not feel the public was served.

Model X owners are probably among the lowest tier of trouble makers in society.

I would tell the judge you “stole” $5 worth of electricity and you happy to pay that along with your apologies.

The rest along can frak off.

I agree with asking first but I have a feeling if person 1 said it was ok, officer fraktard would have screwed over OP anyway.