There was an article in this mornings LA Times regarding vandalism at shuttered State Parks, the one mentioned in the article is Mitchell Caverns SP off I40, half way between Barstow and Needles. I was just thinking that there are a lot of folks that would stay there for a month or two for free electricity and water if only the uptight Pols in Sacramento would quit trying to blackmail us into passing more and more taxes by closing the parks and think about saving the investment and history that is being destroyed by the vandals if they really have to close them. While Mitchell Caverns is a remote location and it would take a special person to stay there (think some of the folks at Q), there are some that would love doing that for free camping and there are a lot of places where members of the RV community would stay and watch out for things.
I can think of a half million reasons the Pols wouldn’t do it but they are all so lame and stupid. So tell me, what do you think, should I call and talk to the powers that be or should I just chalk it up to another one of my hair brained ideas?
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson
Won't hurt to give 'em a call. Hate to hear about the vandalism, we had a lot of fun out there 40 years ago. I'm for kicking vandals off the planet. Good luck, and let us know what they say.
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I would do it, but then I lived a half mile from the Mexican border on a national wildlife refuge, where most men wouldn't even go for fear of banditos, and I had illegal immigration going on every night in an arroyo just down the hill from me. And I was well armed.
Let us know how you make out. Maybe they will agree with your idea.
However, we all know how government works. Why should they have someone stay for free when they can raise taxes and PAY for security?
But, that's just my opinion...
After reading the artical, I think Kevin Forrester, sector superintendent for the parks department, has done a poor job of protecting the area. The place deserves better......
It wouldn,t have to be just one person. They could let 2 or 3 RV's in and they could help patrol the park and cover for each other. Which is cheaper, a little elect or hiring a company? Sounds like a great idea to me. Maybe you can get a reward for saving the State a lot of $
Seems just like "gate guard" duty to me, only in nicer surroundings and without the paycheck.
I'd jump at the chance!
But I agree that it'd be better to have several such volunteer eyes-and-ears at each site for better coverage, a more visible presence, and their own security.
The State probably couldn't give them law enforcement authority-nor should it- so folks would really only be there so trespassers can be reported.
Probably too simple a solution to actually get implemented, though...
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies toJ.R.R. Tolkien
X2. Armed Vigilantes are an excellent idea for controlling park damage by these low lifes! I believe we could all sleep a lot safer knowing there was someone on guard in our State and Federal Parks. If this knowledge was made public by a posting that the area is guarded by armed personnel I would bet the vandalism would go way down real quick. Yes, maybe a few brave vandals would get wounded and/or killed while performing an illegal activity and firing on the authorized personnel but in my mind that is acceptable. Someone has to be an example so let it be the criminals! We also still have the Citizens Arrest capability to take them into custody and wait for the authorities.
I know this will turn into a lot of hate posts but I, just like you are intitled to my opinion.
Jim
RV:2012 Montana 3625RE Quad Slide SKP#108921 TV:2004.5 Dodge Dually 3500 HD Favorite Quote:''Life's tough, pilgrim, and it's even tougher if you're stupid.''-- John Wayne
The fact is, we have paid, armed, personnel, that could have checked on the area at least once a day and probably once a shift with some direction from Sacramento. In addition to cars, our Highway Patrol has its own air-force patrolling 15 and 40 daily. A combination of flybys and drivebys would not even be a noticeable expense.......
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