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

[jspringator]

I always walk my 60 pound dog in the parking lot before I go to bed. I try to make sure everybody sees him. No problem yet.

I can't imagine what he would do if someone knocked on the door in the middle of the night. If they ask me to open the door, I'd just say the dog is going to go for your throat if I do.

That would be the end of that.

[Lantley]

ThIs is a topic that doesn't come up very much but it is a very real concern.
I have overnighted in Wal Mart and Cracker Barrel. I tend to scope them out and if they are too busy or too urban I have decided to move on. There is no foolproof safe way to handle the knock a dark 30 other than to leave. Or don't answer. Driving Away is not such an easy option if you are in a towable RV
Either way you are disturbed and awaken.
I travel with Doberman security at all times. He does not like to be awaken either. He will, let anyone on the otherside know he is there and ready for anything. I'm not fearful, but I do not want a late night encounter with anyone for any reason.
For me this unfortunately is one of the downsides of Wally docking. What you gain in easy access convenience you may sacrifice in security and just plain nonsense.
While I still Wally Dock when necessary, I have come to prefer easy access CG's when available. The chances of a late night knock are reduced considerably at a CG.

[cmcdar]

I have stayed at Walmarts and Cabellas without any problems - so far.

When using these facilities for an overnight, I choose a well lighted area and note where the security cameras are pointing.

NEVER open the door to anyone. If they are securtity, they can talk to you thru the door.

NOTE: It is an important thing to remember - YOUR VEHICLE has a VERY ANNOYING ALARM - USE IT!

I also have one of those canned compressed air horns - also super loud AND PEPPER SPRAY. All three very handy to the door.

[RV_daytrader]

I just say "look, I'm driving a 28 year old RV...you think I got extra $$$ ??...go knock on the door of that big Class A over there. He must have big bucks!":)

[noteven]

"...I've lost my wallet ..." etc.

"OK, hang on a sec...I'm looking for my pet rattlesnake. He's not under the step out there by any chance?"

[toedtoes]

rk911 wrote:
I hear what you're saying but my 35-years in public safety communications tells me that many of the homeless are drug and alcohol abusers and any $ given to them will either go down the throat, up the nose or in the arm. so we prefer to give to good charities who know best how to help. we will not help people further destroy their lives.

I have no doubt that the two folks asking for gas money but refused my offer to fill their tanks were scamming. the man and little girl who refused my offer to buy them a meal were outside of a McDonalds. given his response to my offer I figured him for a scammer also. maybe I'm overly suspicious but there it is.

I don't doubt you. I have come across many a scammer (the guy who walks the street with the sign about his wallet being stolen and he needs help to get new ID - he's been on the same corner for about 4 years now; or the couple who DROVE around the parking lot asking people for gas money so they could get home), but I have found that the times I have given it has been worthwhile. If that person ended up putting it in their vein or up their nose, then that's their decision. If I feel strong enough to give them something, then I am going to include my trust in that gift. If I think they're scamming me, then I walk away.

[rk911]

horton333 wrote:

djgarcia wrote:

horton333 wrote:

djgarcia wrote:

Just curious, how would you determine the difference????

The way I judge any situation, the demeanor and tone of the individual.

What if you are inaccurate or wrong in judging the "demeanor or tone" of an individual" knocking on your RV door and 3:00am in the morning??? Just curious:):)

I could be inaccurate about anyone at any time. I know it is wrong to assume the worst of people and to assume a threat tends to escalate situations more than anything.

If worst came to worst I am extremely capable to defend myself.

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

[rk911]

toedtoes wrote:

rk911 wrote:

the vast majority of homeless are that way due to either mental illness or alcoholism/substance abuse, sometimes both. at night in a lonely parking lot I'm going to assume the worst and not engage. in daylight it may be a different story.

I've been approached on three different occasions by folks claiming one thing or another and seeking money to remedy the situation...twice for gas money to get home to a funeral and once by a man with a little girl seeking money for a meal. in all cases I offered to either fill their vehicle with gas or take them into a local restaurant to buy them a meal. in all cases they refused and asked for the money instead...which I refused to give. I reported each case to management or the police.

The times I have been approached for money for a meal and I happened to have food in my possession at that moment, I gave the food to the person. In both cases, they were very grateful and I saw them a few moments later eating the food (in one case, the young man was sharing it with his dog).

I wonder if there is a difference between offering them food that you already have and offering to take them to get a meal. I suspect from comments made by many people (not pointing this at you, just the differences make me think of this) that they would be very dictatorial about what they would agree to buy the hungry person - and with a little girl in tow who could be a picky eater (even hungry kids can refuse to eat something they haven't eaten before), it might not be worth the risk accepting you on the offer. Or maybe they've been lectured, preached at, etc., when folks have offered to "take them to get a meal".

My rule of thumb on giving to panhandlers is that I do not try to control them with my generosity. If I feel the urge to give to them, I'll give them what I have on hand (whether money or food I just bought). What they do with it is up to them. If I felt enough to give it to them in the first place, then I walk away believing that they did with it what was best for them.

I hear what you're saying but my 35-years in public safety communications tells me that many of the homeless are drug and alcohol abusers and any $ given to them will either go down the throat, up the nose or in the arm. so we prefer to give to good charities who know best how to help. we will not help people further destroy their lives.

I have no doubt that the two folks asking for gas money but refused my offer to fill their tanks were scamming. the man and little girl who refused my offer to buy them a meal were outside of a McDonalds. given his response to my offer I figured him for a scammer also. maybe I'm overly suspicious but there it is.

[ScottG]

I would never open the door to a pan handler.

[horton333]

djgarcia wrote:

horton333 wrote:

djgarcia wrote:

Just curious, how would you determine the difference????

The way I judge any situation, the demeanor and tone of the individual.

What if you are inaccurate or wrong in judging the "demeanor or tone" of an individual" knocking on your RV door and 3:00am in the morning??? Just curious:):)

I could be inaccurate about anyone at any time. I know it is wrong to assume the worst of people and to assume a threat tends to escalate situations more than anything.

If worst came to worst I am extremely capable to defend myself.

[doxiemom11]

We have not had anyone like that when we have occasionally stayed at a Walmart parking lot -- but then -- we also choose Walmarts in smaller towns. They are usually quiet and most are not even open at night. We have always felt safe.

[Walaby]

I don't stop off at Walmart or other overnight parking lot opportunities.. primarily because I try to plan any multi-day trips with a stop at a park each night. Im sure that may change for me in the future, depending on how much traveling I get to do. I don't have a problem with folks that do it, and I understand the rationale.. stopping for a few hours sleep in the middle of a trip.

Having said that, I wouldn't open up my door at night for anyone knocking, whether I was at a campground/RV Park, or at a Walmart. I've ran that scenario in my mind a few times, and Im prepared with the actions I may have to take, and will leave it at that.

Being at a Walmart, I think one can get a police response a whole lot faster than being at a State park out in the semi-boonies. I suspect a criminal who intends to do something nefarious would know that as well, and a threat to call 911 might not have the same affect in a state park than it would at a Walmart.

I think, if I was at a Walmart and someone knocked at o-dark thirty, I would do as other suggest. Tell them Im calling 911 to get them some help, and then either act like Im on the phone, or really call, depending on my gut feeling of the situation. I sure as heck would not open the door without some level of adequate 'assistance' at my disposal, just in case.

Everyone should be entitled to determine on their own what they would consider 'adequate assistance'. I know what I consider it, and as long as it's legal, I'll have it available.

Mike

[toedtoes]

rk911 wrote:

the vast majority of homeless are that way due to either mental illness or alcoholism/substance abuse, sometimes both. at night in a lonely parking lot I'm going to assume the worst and not engage. in daylight it may be a different story.

I've been approached on three different occasions by folks claiming one thing or another and seeking money to remedy the situation...twice for gas money to get home to a funeral and once by a man with a little girl seeking money for a meal. in all cases I offered to either fill their vehicle with gas or take them into a local restaurant to buy them a meal. in all cases they refused and asked for the money instead...which I refused to give. I reported each case to management or the police.

The times I have been approached for money for a meal and I happened to have food in my possession at that moment, I gave the food to the person. In both cases, they were very grateful and I saw them a few moments later eating the food (in one case, the young man was sharing it with his dog).

I wonder if there is a difference between offering them food that you already have and offering to take them to get a meal. I suspect from comments made by many people (not pointing this at you, just the differences make me think of this) that they would be very dictatorial about what they would agree to buy the hungry person - and with a little girl in tow who could be a picky eater (even hungry kids can refuse to eat something they haven't eaten before), it might not be worth the risk accepting you on the offer. Or maybe they've been lectured, preached at, etc., when folks have offered to "take them to get a meal".

My rule of thumb on giving to panhandlers is that I do not try to control them with my generosity. If I feel the urge to give to them, I'll give them what I have on hand (whether money or food I just bought). What they do with it is up to them. If I felt enough to give it to them in the first place, then I walk away believing that they did with it what was best for them.

[NYCgrrl]

I live in a "fortified citadel" within NYC. Doormen, large maintenance staff, CCTV for both outdoor entrances as well as interior staircases and elevators I can access. The only strangers that come to my floor are food delivery people who stick menus under the door for all the people with 100K kitchens that rarely cook, LMAO.

Yes but I have to go outside at some point in time and that's where my street smarts come into play. See someone talking and they've no ear bud or wires hanging out of their ears? Well then they are talking to themselves and are afforded the luxury of a wide berth.

I pretty much know all the local homeless people; they let the doormen and car owners know when NYPD is doing a traffic violation sweep- runnnnnnn for yer cars! The city is out for money!!!!

They inquire about your dogs and help you carry your shopping bags if needed. They are my neighbors who have just fallen on hard times and are treated as such.
Once I step out of my regular haunts I know to keep self aware of my surroundings and act accordingly.

Someone knocks on my door and it's late in the evening? I pick up my handy dandy cellphone and dial 911.
The end.

[rk911]

djgarcia wrote:

horton333 wrote:
Is a panhandler dangerous, or just broke?
If this is the worst that has happened Walmart camping then it seems pretty safe to me.

Just curious, how would you determine the difference????

the vast majority of homeless are that way due to either mental illness or alcoholism/substance abuse, sometimes both. at night in a lonely parking lot I'm going to assume the worst and not engage. in daylight it may be a different story.

I've been approached on three different occasions by folks claiming one thing or another and seeking money to remedy the situation...twice for gas money to get home to a funeral and once by a man with a little girl seeking money for a meal. in all cases I offered to either fill their vehicle with gas or take them into a local restaurant to buy them a meal. in all cases they refused and asked for the money instead...which I refused to give. I reported each case to management or the police.