Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
I keep reading about people boondocking on BLM land in the west. I'm wondering about safety/security concerns. We were talking with a man casually, told him that we're planning for full timing and he said just watch out for micro-gangs if you go out west. Maybe I've been living under a rock, but that's the first I've heard of "micro-gangs" but we hear about all the drug trafficking and people smuggling and wonder if one might be very vulnerable to some of that. Any experiences to share? Or you've used BLM land a bunch and never had/heard of any safety concerns. Thanks.
For many years we stayed in Quartzsite AZ at the Main Event vendor area. No problems were experienced by us but we heard many stories of folks in the boondocking areas around Quartzsite having items stolen. Most common were generators, tool chests and bicycles. Usually stolen at night---chains/cables/locks cut.
I did experience a micro-gang incident about 15 years ago in the parking area at the Main Event. A couple of guys asked if we would be interested in making $4000. He asked us to follow him over to a crowd of about 10 guys. When we got to the crowd he asked if anyone had $1500 and in return they would get back $5500. He told a tale (I can't remember what is was other than a fish tale). As soon as I heard this I knew it was a scam and walked back to where I was but continued to watch to see what would happen. One of the guys (victim) said he had money in his camper. He went to get it and when he came back, the original two guys started a 3 card monty game. They asked for his $1500 and as soon as the victim handed it over 6 of the guys took off running in different directions. The sheriff said gangs like this had started coming to the area from all over the country because of the number of tourists and easy marks.
At another of our favorite boon docking spots on the ocean near Ventura Ca. there have been a rash of RVs broken into if they are left unattended mostly at night but some have occurred in daylight. The thieves watch for folks to leave and then break in and are gone within minutes.
Don't let any of this keep you from boon docking it's rare that there is ever a problem.
We try to stay close to others (close enough to shout but not too close) just in case help of any type is needed. Plus we can ask them to look after our RV if we need to leave.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 18th of September 2015 03:18:31 PM
-- Edited by The Bear II on Friday 18th of September 2015 03:20:25 PM
__________________
"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
three spent shotgun shells and a dog biscuit left at the steps and a note on the door........if your faster than what these belong to.....come on in.......ps dog can do a quarter mile in 9.7 seconds and faster if you pick up the biscuit.....the last 3 guys are what the shells are from....they begged to be shot before the dog got them!!!
__________________
1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
The only time we didn't feel safe on BLM land was the first time we boondocked on BLM land. Every noise startled us during the night. Since then, we have always felt safe, but always keep bear spray by the door too
