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Broken glass deliberately spread on beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Posted at 10:23 AM, Apr 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-16 14:26:54-04

EMPIRE, Mich. (WXYZ) — Large quantities of broken glass have been found at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The glass was at the Lake Michigan beach near Good Harbor Picnic Area at the east end of Lake Michigan Road in Cleveland Township.

Glass was also found in large quantities along the Lake Michigan beach in October 2017 near the Lane Road parking area.

Leelanau District Ranger Andy Blake said the glass appears to have been spread deliberately.

“Just like the Lane Road incident, the glass was not dumped in one spot, but is spread fairly uniformly up and down the beach for several hundred yards. It is definitely a hazard to beachgoers as it consists of literally thousands of freshly broken pieces mostly one half to two inches in size."

Superintendent Scott Tucker expressed anger and outrage at the crime.

“I am outraged by this act that is clearly intended to injure visitors to the National Lakeshore. Thousands of pieces of broken glass do not appear on the beach without malicious intent. I hope our visitors and the local community can help identify the person or persons who would deliberately harm our beachgoers, including children.”

Park staff will be taking time from their regular duties to work alongside park volunteers to walk the beach in Good Harbor and remove as many pieces of glass as possible.

The park reminds visitors that glass containers are not allowed on park beaches.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Blake at 231-326-4805.