Safety in camping in public areas.

Walaby wrote:
I don't answer my door armed, and I don't believe very many, if any really do.

Again, just because one is prepared while on the road, or at home, does not mean they are entering the saloon with their gun on their hip.

Mike

There are some places like that, where there are cultures of crime. People should move out if you fear enough to go to the door armed, unless there is perp in the neighborhood,etc.

This is what i do.

1. Know my surroundings and do not put me or my family into questionable places.
2. Lock all doors.
3. Pack. Better option than insect spray.

Do not like my options, i'm sorry, but this is how I feel safe. Especially with my wife and 2 kids with me.

My experience is that campers in general are friendly and trustworthy. In 70 plus years of camping in our family we have never ever had an issue with campers nor had anything disapear. Yes, we do pay attention and take reasonable precautions.

The few times we've stayed in RV parks that were really more mobile home parks with a few RV spots I felt less secure than in campgrounds.

We just use common sense. If it doesn' look safe, well drive away.

wanderingbob wrote:
The Panic button on your key fob is a pretty good enuff !

I actually wonder about that. Car alarms go off so often and it seems like the response is pretty minimal. It doesn't seem to attract attention by passerby or neighbors. And the person owning the car tends to just point their fob and shut off the noise without checking to see WHY the alarm went off.

We have an alarmed outside yard at my work and if the alarm goes off while we're inside, they just shut it off and don't even bother checking the yard to see WHY it went off. I do check because I believe an alarm should be assumed to be real and not a mistake - but I seem to be in the minority.

Perhaps alarms have become the proverbial "boy who cried wolf" and have no power anymore?

The Panic button on your key fob is a pretty good enuff !

The reality is , you never know what is going to happen and when. From road rage to druggies in a Walmart parking lot, the chances of having a bad encounter is about as low as being struck by lightning, but lightning does strike. Whatever one chooses to be prepared with is their business and I will not judge them on their choices.

No. 1 on my list is situational awareness. What looks fine at 4pm may not be fine at 3am. Be prepared to move on at any time.
No.2 is I am prepared. Some can call it what they wish, but I assure you I am not paranoid nor do I live in fear.
No. 3 is I will pay for a campground also over staying in some parking lot if I have a choice. Had to Walmart it 1 time because of a break down on a Sunday. Wont do that again if I can help it.

I have never had a bad encounter. I believe in the ideal that most people are good and well intentioned. I try to be pleasent and cordial and respectful to everyone I meet and thus recieve the same in kind.

Thats how I do it.

I think overall most people have a pretty good 'spidey sense' of their surroundings. If a place feels 'not quite right', then best to move on.

I don't plan (as of now) to stay at Wal Marts or Cracker Barrels etc.. That might change in the future, I don't know. But, for now, I plan my trip to stay at campgrounds along the way.

As pointed out, there are several products out there, available for use, if one doesn't feel comfortable carrying guns. I would rather those folks take advantage of these other products and make sure they have them available, just in case. Regardless of ones personal thoughts, you should be prepared, both mentally and physically, for the possibility of needing to defend yourself.

Trying to stay away from the deadly force, as requested by moderator. But, just be aware of your surroundings, be prepared in whatever manner you feel comfortable with, but most importantly, don't let real or perceived fear consume you.

Mike

I've overnighted in rest areas and Walmarts, as well as campgrounds and boondocking. I'm a single woman with 2 good sized dogs.

Mt criteria is pretty simple - if a place feels kind of sketchy I move on. That's the great thing about our motorized living spaces. It's a strategy I've used more than once - take a look around and move on down the road if it doesn't feel right.

I hope the OP has gained some insight here to all the minuses on the use of insect spray.

WHY, when there are less poisonous alternatives such as pepper spray. :h

Folks, the OP did not bring up the topic of deadly force, i.e. firearms, etc! The mere mention of firearms always leads to controversial posts/flaming and is the reason we simply seldom go there at all. Please read the op's post and respond if you wish, but deadly force is NOT the topic. Thank you.