Tragedy leads to no camping at Cottonwood, AZ Walmart

Deb and Ed M wrote:
There's a whole subculture of people "stealth-camping" - people who have no homes. Most are probably just down on their luck; some are excited by living off the grid; and some are up to no good (people fleeing the law, mobile meth labs or houses-of-ill-repute come to mind). I'm afraid this overnighting ban will happen more often

The thread is Shakespearian - "Much Ado About Nothing"!..:R


So.CA has the "subculture"in many areas - including residential streets in some beach areas.
It results in parking bans - which sometimes affect "legit" residents.

*MANY* Walmarts do *NOT* allow "overnighting" often for that reason.
Some that did allow "overnighting" have changed that to prohibiting same.

Some *cities* had ordinances in place - BEFORE any Walmarts were ever built. (I worked for one).

Can think of at least three more close to where I live.
Ordinances in place - well *BEFORE* Wally arrived.

Also - you will find some "subculture" RV's *day* camping in various parking lots (including Wally), then going elsewhere in the evening.

It's not limited to So. CA.
If you pull into the Wally in the Dalles, Oregon close to closing time - a manager and an employee will come out to remind you that overnighting is prohibited by city ordinance - which was instigated by the Wallmart. (Tried CGs along the C. River - all full).

Why? Small pk lot - They had long term "campers" in everything from tents to sleeping bags (no tent) on the ground during the summer months!

The mgr & employee suggested an alternate down the road a few miles. Good advice - several truckers, etc. "overnighting".

Pismo Beach, CA.
No "overnighting" - security will come along at closing time, to tell you to leave. A polite question will result in a location (about a mile away) where it's OK.
(At the time, one of the suggested alternates by security was a K-Mart, worked out fine!)

Always check with the Wally Mgr..:S
Not true. Checked with same at Pismo - mgr said, "no problem".
A couple of other RVs there also - policy "changed" at closing, LOL!

Plan ahead! - Right!..:R
But, when your best laid plans 'go awry' - and you're in a bind for a spot to "overnight" - a Wally will still be a good possibility.

However....you need a "Plan B" when it isn't..:S

(Which shouldn't be any big deal).

.