charlestonsouthern
Summerville, SC
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Just read that the state of Tennessee has passed legislation to make unauthorized camping or parking in public spaces a felony which, of course, creates a criminal record for the felon. Usually, certain ordinances (not criminal) are passed in municipalities to handle these things, but I've never heard of a state getting so heavily involved.
The reason I bring this up is that once I had a blogger friend I blogged with who did a lot of stealth camping; he has passed on now at the age of 82, and we called him Tioga George. Most of this type of camping he did in Mexico, San Diego, Calif. (his home town), and in Oregon. He never made it to the east coast during his vagabond days. If he would have made it to Tennessee today, he probably would continuously be in trouble. George vowed he would never sleep in a RV park. All the years I knew him, he would get in trouble here and there, more often in Oregon than anywhere else. Generally, the problems would ensue when the police would wake him up in the middle of the night, ask him to move on, he had very little sleep and would mouth off at the police and end up in court. George was not a poor man, but he didn't like people disrupting his life style. I wonder how many Tioga George's we have in Tennessee. Like George use to say; I'm not bothering anyone; why doesn't the police just leave me alone; I've paid my taxes like everyone else during my working years.
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jetboater454
Camping or home
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Wonder if it had any thing to do with all the homeless camps popping up. Some places you see where they somehow drag in an undriveable motorhome into a walmart parking lot and set up home.
And then throw in some of the pigs of truckers parking where ever and throwing every thing out as they leave.
But a felony is a bit harsh.
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Moderator
Tennessee
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Yes, the Tennessee legislation was passed as a result of the multiple homeless camps.
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wanderingbob
monticeeo, fla
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The law states that you must be given a 24 hour written warning before arrest ! Kinda gives ya time to move on !
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Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
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"The law states that you must be given a 24 hour written warning before arrest ! Kinda gives ya time to move on !"
That certainly is time to move on.
* This post was
edited 05/22/22 09:42am by Horsedoc *
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charlestonsouthern
Summerville, SC
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If you wish to know more about Tioga George, just enter "Tioga George" in Google and his diary blog will pop up. He had so many friends who mourned him, and he would feed anyone who told him they were hungry. He never considered himself to be homeless; he just had a lot of tragedy in his life.
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bucky
Raleigh metro
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Sounds like if you are any good at the "stealth" part it shouldn't be an issue.
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ken56
Tennessee
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How about having some respect for peoples' neighborhoods. I would never think about parking in front of someone's home on some random street for any amount of time. It's plain inconsiderate. Why would anyone do that if they can afford an RV and gas for it then pay for a darn place to park for the night. I am glad this law was enacted.
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Moderator
Tennessee
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This law was not directed toward rvers. Few, if any, of the homeless have an rv.
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BCSnob
Middletown, MD
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Moderator wrote:This law was not directed toward rvers. Few, if any, of the homeless have an rv.
Or the law was written to include the situation in Seattle. Link
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