Camping Safety

I have not noticed a great increase in "Incidents" other than theft of Catalytic Converters. This is not "Dangerous" just costly. (And insurance..well that's what it's for).

Now.. I have noticed that there are places where I would rather NOT park a Motor home not even overnight. So far I've found about 4 or 5 of them (in 15 years of RVing) What did I do? Park elsewhere of course.. Without incident.

Your eyes and your "Gut" are very good protection.. if it does not look safe.. Move on. Do keep doors double locked at night.. I recommend against Guns for protection.. Fire Extinguishers are good. Have several not just the one inside the door (that little 5 pound joke) but some "All Fire" foam types.. They put out wood/fiber fires. Gas/oil fires.. Electrical fires, Passion Fires (see movie 6 Pack staring Kenny Rogers. he uses one to put out a passion Fire) If the attacker can not breath due to the powder (in the movie's case) he's not going to continue the attack.

For us its safer today in campgrounds with park rangers....cell phones...active campgrounds hosts or mgrs or owners and active CSO deputys...gated COE campgrounds vs years past (60s/70s/80s) where there was little to no help from the above.

We stay away from campgrounds close to big cities....close to a college town or campgrounds known for partying.

In the early '70s we were camped (fishing) in one of our favorite COE campgrounds in NE Oklahoma.
Sat afternoon 12-14 pickup loads of the local KKK chapter thugs started drifting in with water tanks in the back of several trucks that were full of ice and beer. By 10 oclock most were drunk ...then their guns came out. Pistols...shotguns...two AKs...calibers and gauges of all sizes. They had the road blocked so no one could leave or get in.

A farmer about a mile away heard all the gun fire...called the sheriff office. Deputies from two counties....several cars full of state troopers swooped in and bagged all of them. One trooper told us who these jerks were and confiscated 26 weapons of all sizes.
My kids were under 10 years as were several other campers. The whole campground was scared of these idiots. I sure was and I carried back then.

I feel much safer today than 50+ years ago while camping.

Probably a little more risk if you're staying in sketchy places, which have increased in numbers. There's more people, more touchy people, more angry people, most of whom are encouraged by the media to act out their issues.

I'm 82, and I've almost always felt like I lived in danger. BUT I do NOT live in fear. Today I feel like there is more
danger than previously. If I say more, it'll be political,....sorry.

Well, my two cents or experience, whatever you want to call it.
Over the past 20 + years, no issues. We travel all over, been up the west coast, stayed in multiple states, state and national parks, private campgrounds and rv parks, walmart, museums etc. For us, we just make sure we are aware of our surroundings, don't stay in an area that doesn't feel right. Staying for free, we go in to the establishment, ask for the manager, get permission and they usually tell you where to park, get their name and are very comfortable. We stay most anywhere, also carry maps and check websites for stopping points. Cracker Barrel, Cabelas, other restaurants, museums, even stayed the night at a gm dealership as we were getting an oil change the next day, stayed at Lowe's in California. But overall, no worries, on our part, about 6 to 8 thousand miles per year, only one time had an uncomfortable issue. That was at a campground near mount hood oregon, i woke up about 3 am, something didn't feel right, we left. no biggie. Anyhow, just go, be aware, be carful and know where you are and enjoy your travels.