The discrimination of the van Life community in America

[rruff]

I am not willing to allow overzealous border guards dictate my travel plans.

And that is why I have made my last trip into Canada. Not worth the hassle of getting back in.

I got stopped, detained, and my rig ransacked and gone through with a fine tooth comb... going into Ca. It took hours. I didn't smoke weed, but you never know what passengers might have left behind... and seriously, they were picking through the carpet in my cab like they were forensic scientists! Which of course was something I never cleaned, so likely contained trace elements of damn near every substance known to man...

 

[user 36441]

I got stopped, detained, and my rig ransacked and gone through with a fine tooth comb... going into Ca. It took hours. I didn't smoke weed, but you never know what passengers might have left behind... and seriously, they were picking through the carpet in my cab like they were forensic scientists! Which of course was something I never cleaned, so likely contained trace elements of damn near every substance known to man...

 

[rruff]

Bugs me when people are quick to say discrimination. Especially with little info.

It doesn't bother me, because I know it's rampant. If you have managed to fly under the radar, then I hope your luck holds out.

I'm just disappointed that the OP's example was so lame. I've experienced much spicier anecdotes than that...

 

[user 36441]

After I bought my current van, a Ford E250, I checked all the little nooks and crannies inside. I found a used hypodermic needle and a hospital worker's cap in one of them. I'm glad you told us about your experience. I think I'll go back and check those crannies again.

 

[WanderingRose]

I’m sure discrimination/profiling, etc., is occurring, and feel we all just need to do our bit to not add to the perceived stereotype.

Keep your site, yourself and your rig clean, be respectful and polite to others, and don’t park where you know you shouldn’t.

We don’t have an inalienable right in this country to live in whatever we like, wherever we like and for as long as we choose, is the bottom line.

 

[Morgana]

Bugs me when people are quick to say discrimination

It doesn't bother me, because I know it's rampant

Yes, but every time someone makes a dubious claim of discrimination, it undermines the credibility of real claims of discrimination. Which makes it more likely that someone with a real need for help/support won't get it.

The more serious the problem, the more I would want to push back against false or too-quick claims.

 

[Texas Gypsy]

I got stopped, detained, and my rig ransacked and gone through with a fine tooth comb... going into Ca. It took hours. I didn't smoke weed, but you never know what passengers might have left behind... and seriously, they were picking through the carpet in my cab like they were forensic scientists! Which of course was something I never cleaned, so likely contained trace elements of damn near every substance known to man...

I went to Canada when I drove a big rig. They brought me inside and put me in a holding cell for hours while they did whatever it was they did with the rig and my paperwork. That was before you were required to have a passport so a while back.
That experience was sufficient that I have no desire to return.
Might go through there if I ever decide to make the trip to Alaska but that's the only reason I'd go into Canada.

 

[Frood]

I got stopped, detained, and my rig ransacked and gone through with a fine tooth comb... going into Ca. It took hours. I didn't smoke weed, but you never know what passengers might have left behind... and seriously, they were picking through the carpet in my cab like they were forensic scientists! Which of course was something I never cleaned, so likely contained trace elements of damn near every substance known to man...

If you read this post before the edit, please ignore what was written. Got the context from other posts.
I originally read this as "Going into California" and was wondering why you would get your vehicle searched crossing from Nevada or Arizona into California...

 

[rruff]

Canada. From Montana I think.

My GF and I were visited by US Border Patrol while we were parked next to a creek looking for a place to bathe, so maybe that put us on their radar. This was only a couple hours before the border crossing.

 

[quilting22]

I imagine people here have a very wide range of opinions of "the police" -- and an equally wide range of personal experiences with them. A statement that they "don't know the law" and "make things up" is over-broad, not provable, and veering awfully close to a couple of things that are discouraged on this forum: (1) politics and (2) denigrating whole groups of people.

Encouraging people to "drop horror stories" has a strong Us-vs-Them vibe to it. In practice, it tends to make people feel more powerless, not less. Instead, how about a focus on what exactly you think needs to change and how people could work towards that?

Since this is, after all, USA/Planet Earth, there's never a shortage of horror stories. It is notoriously difficult for small social groups to accomplish their aims in isolation -- especially if they present their specialized grievances as the main/only priority. Maybe a broader sense of shared concerns with other people would lead to more practical ways to move forward.

Also, it's not unusual for a community to try to protect itself, in both healthy and unhealthy ways. Something you despise enough to refer to as Babylon and energetically isolate yourself from is not likely to welcome you with open arms when you decide it's more convenient for you to temporarily access it again.

A stronger focus on concrete goals -- and positive action steps to get there -- might have a greater chance of success. So would greater awareness that we are all in this together.

PS
I didn't quite understand why, if you were staying in a hotel, you considered action aimed at your vehicle to be aimed at a vandweller.
And I wonder (it is a neutral question, not an insinuation -- I don't know the answer) whether your vehicle in some way stood out from other vehicles with hotel permits. If not, then what is it that you believe attracted police attention to it?

Isn't wonderful that we all have a right to express our opinions ? I understand how discourging it must be to find that note on your van when you are a paying guest of the hotel. I agree with others on here that we need to politely educate the hotel management, security, local law enforcement etc. , that a paying guest at a hotel should not be "ticketed". It wouldn't hurt to make the head of the hotel chain aware of the situation. Good luck to us all. Life is hard enough esp when we're doing what's right and still treated unfairly.

 

[Gr8ful]

Many people thrive on drama, I don't. Fix the problem & get on enjoying life!

 

[wayne49]

I get stopped every time I enter California.

At an California AG inspection station, usually either at Winterhaven (I-8), Vidal Junction (US-95), or Benton (US-6).

A few years ago I traveled through SoCal heading to Barstow to pickup I-15, and that AG station had sniffer dogs and automatic cameras. I don't think any of that was for fruit flies.

I remember the Med flies that brought California AG stations into the national headlines.

And when CHP ran impromptu roadside vehicle inspection stations and did not care that my vehicle was from out of state.

 

[RonDean]

I get stopped every time I enter California.

At an California AG inspection station, usually either at Winterhaven (I-8), Vidal Junction (US-95), or Benton (US-6).

A few years ago I traveled through SoCal heading to Barstow to pickup I-15, and that AG station had sniffer dogs and automatic cameras. I don't think any of that was for fruit flies.

I remember the Med flies that brought California AG stations into the national headlines.

And when CHP ran impromptu roadside vehicle inspection stations and did not care that my vehicle was from out of state.

Dogs can find non drug and possible prohibited produce as well.

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/agricultural-dogs-sniffing-out-illegal-produce/2052941/

 

[LargeMarge]

Dogs can find non drug and possible prohibited produce...

.
a)
Dog Handler here.
I can train any dog to 'flag' at my signal... irregardless of the walk-around producing any reproducible/verifiable indicators.
.
I worked in three penitentiary settings.
Working inspection dogs in that environment was for intimidation.
Zero to do with locating contraband.
.
.
b)
In California, the bug-shack uniforms --
for other than commercial rigs -- rely on voluntary 'self-reporting':
Meek traveler, meekly holding half-ate snack -- "I bought this tuna sandwich at the Wal*Mart in Winslow Arizona, such a fine sight to see..."
Authority Complex drone -- "Confiscate!, Confiscate!, everybody must comply!, Rules!, strict Rules!, Confiscate!"
.
Nincompoopery.
Winds aloft carry Afrikan spiders to Antarctica, Asian cockroaches to Hawai'i.
I have zero confidence in some arbitrary scrawl scribbled on a paper map as a barrier to stop airborne bugs in Arizona/Baja/Nevada from migrating to California.
.
If, on the other hand, their intent is intimidation, how would you rate their success?
Wait, we don't need to rate them, their press-release tells us everything we need to know.
[sarc]

 

[RonDean]

ANY technology can be misused. That does not mean it is (or was) always the intent. I could post a list of plant and animal invasive species that have caused a lot of damage, but anyone here can just google it. Examples are easy to find. I don't think we should equate the people actually trying to safeguard California's agriculture with those bozos that might use dogs as Large Marge explained. I'm not saying that doesn't ALSO happen. I know it does.

 

[CosmickGold]

I may hold the record for how fast one can get "The Knock". I had just purchased my van and drove it from the purchase point into a large shopping mall where I parked to purchase a few things. But before I even opened the door, "Knock! Knock! Knock!" It was the mall's security who rides around in his little cop car with the yellow light always flashing. He asked me how long I'm planning to stay here. I asked him how long is allowed, he thought a moment and replied, "Three hours."

 

[bullfrog !]

^^^I would have asked what time the last store closes! Lol!!! Or better yet what time he went off shift and offered him a hot cup of coffee.

 

[quilting22]

I imagine people here have a very wide range of opinions of "the police" -- and an equally wide range of personal experiences with them. A statement that they "don't know the law" and "make things up" is over-broad, not provable, and veering awfully close to a couple of things that are discouraged on this forum: (1) politics and (2) denigrating whole groups of people.

Encouraging people to "drop horror stories" has a strong Us-vs-Them vibe to it. In practice, it tends to make people feel more powerless, not less. Instead, how about a focus on what exactly you think needs to change and how people could work towards that?

Since this is, after all, USA/Planet Earth, there's never a shortage of horror stories. It is notoriously difficult for small social groups to accomplish their aims in isolation -- especially if they present their specialized grievances as the main/only priority. Maybe a broader sense of shared concerns with other people would lead to more practical ways to move forward.

Also, it's not unusual for a community to try to protect itself, in both healthy and unhealthy ways. Something you despise enough to refer to as Babylon and energetically isolate yourself from is not likely to welcome you with open arms when you decide it's more convenient for you to temporarily access it again.

A stronger focus on concrete goals -- and positive action steps to get there -- might have a greater chance of success. So would greater awareness that we are all in this together.

PS
I didn't quite understand why, if you were staying in a hotel, you considered action aimed at your vehicle to be aimed at a vandweller.
And I wonder (it is a neutral question, not an insinuation -- I don't know the answer) whether your vehicle in some way stood out from other vehicles with hotel permits. If not, then what is it that you believe attracted police attention to it?

Perhaps there has been problems in the area with vehicles parked overnight in areas the community does not want them. Or the motel/hotel has not communicated with their security to be sure to check for a approved sticker B4 going the next step. I admit it would be disturbing to find a notice on your vehicle when it is obvious you have permission to be parked there. Politely but firmly letting the hotel know that you will be posting on social media the incident and what remedy they proposed to you , might get some changes moving along. Here's hoping communities will see the need for reasonable change. Or else we'll all be supporting the businesses in Quartzite !!! It is a great community for Nomads, visitors. I'm here for the winter and loving it. Now if we could just figure out how to air-condition the desert for the summer.

 

[camperdan]

I imagine people here have a very wide range of opinions of "the police" -- and an equally wide range of personal experiences with them. A statement that they "don't know the law" and "make things up" is over-broad, not provable, and veering awfully close to a couple of things that are discouraged on this forum: (1) politics and (2) denigrating whole groups of people.

Encouraging people to "drop horror stories" has a strong Us-vs-Them vibe to it. In practice, it tends to make people feel more powerless, not less. Instead, how about a focus on what exactly you think needs to change and how people could work towards that?

Since this is, after all, USA/Planet Earth, there's never a shortage of horror stories. It is notoriously difficult for small social groups to accomplish their aims in isolation -- especially if they present their specialized grievances as the main/only priority. Maybe a broader sense of shared concerns with other people would lead to more practical ways to move forward.

Also, it's not unusual for a community to try to protect itself, in both healthy and unhealthy ways. Something you despise enough to refer to as Babylon and energetically isolate yourself from is not likely to welcome you with open arms when you decide it's more convenient for you to temporarily access it again.

A stronger focus on concrete goals -- and positive action steps to get there -- might have a greater chance of success. So would greater awareness that we are all in this together.

PS
I didn't quite understand why, if you were staying in a hotel, you considered action aimed at your vehicle to be aimed at a vandweller.
And I wonder (it is a neutral question, not an insinuation -- I don't know the answer) whether your vehicle in some way stood out from other vehicles with hotel permits. If not, then what is it that you believe attracted police attention to it?

Amazingly articulate . I always enjoy your thoughts. Have a super day.

 

[wb8vyn]

Experance and personal memory from regeon to regeon. For example, I grew up from birth to late teens on into early 20s on the far north west. Phones did not have a dial or buttons. They had a crank to reach an operator who askied "number please?" Our house had a well, We had a windless on a rope with a bucket. later we got all modern with a "pitcher pump". and an "out house" No "lectric", In winter we "het" with wood and some coal, heat came later; Any adult could "spank" any kid. Women and Girls washed their hair using rain water because it made their hair softer. Men wore long pants, boys wore knee pants, little boys wore shorts and long, knee sox, Girls and women wore dresses, no trousers of any kind, unless it was milking time or when cleaning the barn stalls or gutters and even then the dress was worn over the trousers. Never did know why that was, it just was.
Men were expected to work and provde the money and protect their family, Women cooked, cleaned and preserved for winter. bread was baked every 2nd or 3rd day. Only rich people got store bought bread. Store bought cigeretts were called tailor mades, only rich people could afford tailor mades and there were no filters, maybe a holder.
No TV, just radio if the family could aford the batteries, "A" and "B" batteries were required.
The point of all this is that everyone knew the difference between fact and opinion. Everyone knew that we did not have a king who made law. We had a president who obeyed the law just like you and me. And that my friends is why you are free to recreate on public lands, with that goes the responsibility to care for those lands as if they were your own living room and bed room. This is your living room, bed room, and front and back yard.
Lets gather around and decide how to care for our place. Lets remember this freedom. like all others must be cared for and is not free do dirty and distroy just for the fun of it.
Ken