Police interactions.

[arizonatruck]

Please tell some of your interactions with the police.&nbsp; I don't care what story, it would give people some ideas and good for discussion.&nbsp; Especially since we all want freedom and liberty from the grind.<br><br>There has been a handfull of people (that I have heard of) that have had problems with boon docking and rangers telling them that they can't "live" in the forests, even though campers do it for up to two weeks (maybe more depending on the regularity of patrols in the area).

 

[Noah]

I don't have any particularly interesting story to share, but I have certainly had my share of wake-up knocks.<br><br>I will say that even though I've been talked to by over 2 dozen LEO's and several City Code enforcement guys. Not a single one has given me a ticket.&nbsp;Sometimes they try to scare me into renting an apartment or a spot at a campground. No ticket, No consequence of any kind actually.<br><br>I have always been up front about my intentions and lifestyle and more than half of the time, we end up smiling and sharing stories from the road. I should add that I gave up the 'stealth' mode over 2 years ago and have been sleeping in a tiny trailer that is clearly built for sleeping. I think people are less suspicious of someone clearly camping, than an unmarked van no one ever got out of.<br><br>The other day, I had one of the code enforcement guys stop by to compliment my new paint job and nearly apologize for giving me a hard time so long ago.&nbsp; <br><br>I want the moral of my story to be to not worry about it so much. We are all people and very few don't wish they had chosen to take a chance at a more enjoyable life. I rarely speak to anyone who doesn't support what I do, including property owners/managers, cops, political figures, etc.<br><br>Be friendly, honest, and let them know you are not up to any trouble.&nbsp; <br><br>Good roads!<br><br>-Noah<br><br>

 

[arizonatruck]

Thank you.&nbsp; Whereabouts was that?<br><br>When i've been out camping in the woods, even while doing operations, I have not ever had problems.

 

[Noah]

Only one of my interactions was in El Dorado National Forest by Ice House Reservior. (Northern California)<BR><BR>The rest have been in Folsom or Sacramento. I've been staying in Folsom for a couple of years to buy a new tow vehicle and soak up the sun.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;We've had very few interactions with the police - over 20 years of fulltiming, totally non stealth in a little class C. One encounter was in a Wamart lot, a small Walmart in a lot shared with other businesses. The cops knocked to tell us that we could get towed if we stayed in the lot overnight. That was the policy of the lot owner. Another time we parked in a mall lot just to go shopping in the mall. We parked far away. There were no other cars near us but the mall guard called the police because we were parked taking up more than one space. We came out of the mall with our purchases and an embarrassed cop, who was waiting in his patrol car, had to ask us to leave. What a waste of tax payer money! That's really it. Not really problems but then we don't do a lot of parking on city streets. We park on the street when we visit our daughter in Seattle and have to move every so many days. We also have parked for weeks on a street behind my mother's apartment complex without a problem. As far as camping in the forest - nothing at all. We rarely even see any rangers patrolling.

 

[user 423]

I've been checked out by rangers a couple of times but never had a problem, just mildly irked. In OR I was asked if I knew the rules for staying on BLM land and also asked if the Class B I was driving belonged to me. It was older and kind of ratty and I felt that he wouldn't have asked and checked my ID and registration if it had been a newer, fancier rig. There were other RVs camped in the area and I wanted to ask him if he was checking them all as possible stolen vehicles but of course did not.<br><br>Quite a few times I've been roused on city streets but never got a ticket. If you're a middle-aged man in a van, you will receive extra scrutiny. One cop that checked me out said that the PD had received a call from a woman who had complained that I had "looked at her" when she had walked past. I knew better than to be sarcastic and say to the cop, "Yes, I looked at her. Lock me up!" Instead, I just firmly told him that if she was complaining about any improper behavior from me it was due to her imagination. Dang, can't even look at people who pass my van?<br><br>(Edit: Please understand that I was merely sitting in my van reading and totally minding my own business and yes, may have glanced at people who walked past...who doesn't? This is to make sure no one misunderstands my above comments and erroneously come to the conclusion that I was "ogling" passersby).<br><br><br>

 

[Morgan7600]

Noah &amp; Friends,&nbsp; I'm still in the planning stages and excited to escape early next year.&nbsp; I have to say that making the jump to Wally World and Casino lots to begin with is my plan and the topic of this string is my largest anxiety stimulant!&nbsp; Mainly because I live in a secluded country home on 4 acres at the end of a country road so nobody can "drive past my house" ever.&nbsp; There is no physical way to do this so the change will be a real culture shock for me.&nbsp; Why again would I leave such a paradise?&nbsp; You may well ask:<br>I will be 65 in October and my pension just doesn't cover everything these days here in very expensive San Diego.&nbsp; On the other hand, my pension would be great if I had a paid off truck which I do and a paid off RV which is the plan.&nbsp; So you see on many a night I have thought about how it would be "out there" as far as security and avoiding the 3 AM Knock!<br><br>I believe my life will be enriched in this change!&nbsp; I want to see New Mexico &amp; Texas.&nbsp; I want to hang out at the Colorado River in CA and NV and play in the water.&nbsp; That sounds like a better retirement plan than sitting here worrying about the bills every week in the time I have left!

 

[Noah]

I figure the worst case scenario would be to ask the police officer doing the knocking if there is a better place to get some sleep before hitting the road again.<br><br>They almost always will run your ID to make sure you don't have a warrant, then either let you stay, or tell you to move on. In my experience, they let me stay, but tell me not to make it a habit. If you are traveling, it won't be a habit in that spot. If you aren't travelling, keep your eyes open for places that are sort of in-between other places. Vacant lots, Industrial parks, 24 hour stores... <br><br>I think the biggest trick is to not worry so much. It gets hard to sleep if you are constantly looking out the window. You aren't doing anything wrong, You aren't bothering anyone, The police just want to make sure you aren't causing problems.<br><br>Good luck and let us know how it goes!<br><br>-Noah

 

[jaguarbird11]

Morgan!&nbsp; You are almost there!&nbsp; I just want to say don't fear what has not happened yet!!&nbsp; I believe we create our reality - so if you can get with that....create your world without cops! or people in your space....

 

[Morgan7600]

Thanks guys,&nbsp; I really know about these things but having some troubles here lately have knocked me off my game.&nbsp; <br>I lost these 2 of my 3 animal family members this year and the last one just last Thursday.&nbsp; The changes we are never ready for...&nbsp; I am strong.&nbsp; M

 

[Morgan7600]

OK 2nd. Jpeg picture is being prevented for some reason.&nbsp; Oh well.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I just upload them to a free photobucket account, then copy the forum link code and past it into my message.&nbsp; That way, it is costing photobucket bandwidth instead of bob plus they will always be there even if this site goes down.&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[jaguarbird11]

Beautiful!&nbsp; Sorry for your loss, but glad you got to spend some time here with them.

 

[Morgan7600]

Hi Guys,&nbsp; Daz,&nbsp; that's a great idea.&nbsp; I'll have to try that.<br>jag, Raptor the big Red Dobie was 8 and you only get 8 years from a Dobie dog and I got all 8.<br>Marco my super cat I had for 17 years!&nbsp; He was amazing! Thanks for your kind thoughts.