Walmart and safety personal experience

[pcshme]

On most forums EVERYONE says they never had a problem staying at walmart
I am looking for comments from those who have had a problem and how they dealt with itl

I wonder about those folks have HAVE HAD A PROBLEM AT WALMART,, I mean robbery attempts,,pan handlers, people parking for hours with engine running next to rv...

I would like to hear what you do to make yourself feel comfortable at Walmart.

My short story is pulled into Walmart around 1am and finally got to sleep around 4am, when at 5am a fellow in a white stealthy van (no windows etc) bangs on my door with a story about his mother in law, hospital and forgot wallet (get the idea). I would have not responded but he banged a second time,,I looked through window, and I decided to give him a small amount of money hoping he would leave. I gave him my smallest bill which was $10.00 and he left , saying he would be back in a hour to pay me back for the gas money. Right,,,,

So now I am nervous,, what should I do,, not answer at all ,, what if someone or a group of people get violent and break a window or jump on my rv?

Here is what I think I can do,,
1. Since I have a small Class C, just get in the driver seat and pull away
or
2. Dont respond and see what happens
or
3. Respond and give them a small amount of money like $5.00, explaining that I am poor and don't have cash.
or
4. dial 911

what do you think, i really prefer boondocking and really don't like commercial campgrounds.

m

[Moderator]

and this many pages appear to have answered the OP's inquiry. Moving on.... 🙂

[lightning_drive]

Interesting I just read through 6 pages of responses to the OP's request for other examples of issues while Wally docking. 6 Pages and nothing but hypothetical scenario's and opinions of what to do. All interesting and helpful to consider but the conclusion I am drawing is it appears Walmart parking lots are a pretty safe place to grab a few hours sleep while traveling.

[Lantley]

For me the common sense thing to do is to avoid Wal Marts that appear to urban or appear to have too much activity.
For the record plenty of people spend lots of nights Wally Docking and never get a middle of the night knock.However there are no guarantees.
If you decide to Wally dock you must have the mentality/stomach and plan to deal with a potential late night knock without going into a total panic.
Again, a knock most likely won't occur, but don't have an anxiety attack if it does.
If this scenario does not appeal to you. Avoid the undesirables and stay at a CG. At least the undesirables you encounter at the CG will have their own RV.

[Walaby]

2gypsies wrote:

Walaby wrote:
No one said never going into places where panhandlers are etc.. but are YOU going to just fling open the door of your RV at 2 AM if someone knocks on it? If you say no, are you living in constant fear then?

Errr.. no, I would be using common sense and not open the door at 2am.

Which is what everyone else said, with some additional variations, such as call the police, or act as calling the police etc...

[2gypsies1]

Walaby wrote:
No one said never going into places where panhandlers are etc.. but are YOU going to just fling open the door of your RV at 2 AM if someone knocks on it? If you say no, are you living in constant fear then?

Errr.. no, I would be using common sense and not open the door at 2am.

[Walaby]

Funny how some folks preach using common sense, but if common sense involves not opening up your door in the middle of the night, or being prepared in the event it is necessary, then all of a sudden those that take reasonable precautions or use common sense are suddenly living in fear, are paralyzed and have to move into a cave.

No one said they are living in a constant state of fear. No one said never going into places where panhandlers are etc.. but are YOU going to just fling open the door of your RV at 2 AM if someone knocks on it? If you say no, are you living in constant fear then?

Seems like some folks can't see middle ground that is both reasonable and prudent. Oh well...


Mike

[2gypsies1]

chuckbear wrote:
Robberies, mugging, even murders happen all the time in shopping centers, malls and gas stations. Panhandlers approach people on every city street and "shady characters" abound. Are we going to never go to any of those places? Highly unlikely. So the ONLY SOLUTION is to arm yourself and move into a cave in the desert somewhere. We don't live in a constant state of fear so we're always open to different things. It's all part of the adventure. We do use a reasonable amount of caution and use common sense, something else not very common anymore. Fun and adventure rules our life today, not fear and anxiety. Your life, your choice. Chuck

Perfect reply!! The same for us. Living in fear is no option for us.

[chuckbear]

Robberies, mugging, even murders happen all the time in shopping centers, malls and gas stations. Panhandlers approach people on every city street and "shady characters" abound. Are we going to never go to any of those places? Highly unlikely. So the ONLY SOLUTION is to arm yourself and move into a cave in the desert somewhere. We don't live in a constant state of fear so we're always open to different things. It's all part of the adventure. We do use a reasonable amount of caution and use common sense, something else not very common anymore. Fun and adventure rules our life today, not fear and anxiety. Your life, your choice. Chuck

[cmcdar]

There actually are people out there with not so innocent intentions. THAT is the reason NOT to open your door to a stranger in the middle of the night. Especially, when you are unfamiliar with your surroundings.

[Lantley]

doc brown wrote:
I disagree. at zero-dark-thirty I will assume the worst and act accordingly until convinced otherwise

X2, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In 12 years of rving only three very uncomfortable situations; at a very nice RV park during the day, a rest stop during the day that was crowded and a truck stop during the day that was busy. I'm prepared in many ways but the best preparation is common sense and awareness.

While it may not be logical daylight changes the whole scenario in terms of the danger involved.
Call me naive or foolish, but I would be a lot less apprehensive during the day.

[doc_brown]

I disagree. at zero-dark-thirty I will assume the worst and act accordingly until convinced otherwise

X2, prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In 12 years of rving only three very uncomfortable situations; at a very nice RV park during the day, a rest stop during the day that was crowded and a truck stop during the day that was busy. I'm prepared in many ways but the best preparation is common sense and awareness.

[jake2250]

All of our big box stores no longer allow overnight stays.. Panhandlers and the homeless have ruined it for the rest of us.
I still see the unaware and uninformed pulled over and camping in the Wal Mart, Home Depot, Khols parking lots on my way out fishing at 0 Dark thirty in the morning and I have to chuckle when I see local law enforcement waking these folks up and making them get along..
I also do my best to alert them if I do not see the police by giving a few long toots of my horn!! My intent is to keep them ever vigilant of the Street people that my wonder into there encampment.
There have been a few occasions that the traffic signal has allowed me to actually pull right thru the parking lot and sound a warning or three as I visually scan for errant street walkers..
Hopefully my obnoxiousness and very loud horn will have saved some one the awkward Bang on the door by an evil street walker or transient in need of change or counseling..
Hopefully they are already awake at four or five A.M. getting ready to hit the road as pass by..

[Lantley]

2gypsies wrote:
Just don't open the door. Simple.

Simple in terms of being somewhat safe. Not so simple in terms of being awaken. Forced into alert mode and the anxiety that goes with it.

[2gypsies1]

Just don't open the door. Simple.