An episode involving police and "Walmart campers,"
has left one man dead, a police officer shot, another man hospitalized, and a
number of family members in jail. The Cottonwood, Arizona confrontation has also rung up fears
that retail giant and RVer-favorite, Walmart, might consider shutting down
overnight parking at their stores.
While details of the March 24 incident are still hazy, it
appears that a Christian-music performing family group had been camped out at
the Cottonwood store for some days. Late on
that Saturday night, one of the family members was using one of the store's
bathrooms, while two others stood guard at the door. When a Walmart employee
attempted to enter, a scuffle broke out, which ended up outside in the parking
lot.
Police responded to calls for assistance, and a Walmart
security officer attempted to help. It's reported that the first officer on the
scene was assaulted and one of the suspects, a family member, allegedly took
the officer's gun. Backup officers arrived, the confrontation got more
involved. In the end, one of the police officers was shot in the leg, and a
family member shot in the head and killed. Another family member is
hospitalized.
On learning that the family had been living in the parking
lot, the media immediately pounced on the idea of "camping," at
Walmart. Man-on-the-street interviews ensued with some locals claiming they'd
been frightened or otherwise put-out by people staying in the lot. Cottonwood
Walmart officials have met with local police to "discuss solutions to
extended camping" in their lot.
Greg Gerber, editor of RV Daily Report, looks at the
situation as an issue just waiting to happen. Writes Gerber, "What turned
out to be a wonderful perk offered by Walmart to RV owners everywhere, will
come to an end because some idiots opt to use Walmart as a campground, rather
than as a safe place to park an RV for a few hours to catch some sleep."
One would hope that cool heads will prevail. The fact that
this family was camped out in the parking lot for several days shouldn't figure
into whether to allow RVers to overnight or not. A review of news accounts over
the last several months reveals shooting incidents at RV parks and campgrounds
around the country. Do we shut down the parks? Some figure Walmart will find
the "risks" of allowing overnighters will outweigh the benefits that
they see. While we've never seen a formal study, just hobnobbing around the
campfire reveals that plenty of RVer money gets passed into Walmart tills when
an overnight stay takes place.
Nevertheless, Gerber's comments are well-taken. Those who
"set up shop" in a Walmart lot give the rest of us in the RV
community a black eye. For heavens sakes, do we really need to set out the lawn
chairs, extend the awning, even grill a steak on the barbee? It's only asking
to have the locals – and local RV park owners – raise an unnecessary stink.
Check out Your RV Podcast, the De Maris' weekly, half-hour
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Boondocking is much safer and friendlier if you use the site boondockersWelcome.com to find safe, non-commercial parking areas for a night or two. I've met wonderful people through this site.
ReplyDeleteWalmart should introduce a 20 hour limit in their parking lots..
ReplyDelete12 hrs is more than enough
DeleteIf the time limit is too short, then RVers have time only to sleep and perhaps shop at Walmart. Local economies will derive greater economic benefit from RVers passing through if the RVers have enough time to spend money at other local establishments -- other retailers, restaurants, movie theaters, local museums and other tourist attractions. A limit of 20 or 24 hours, provided it's enforced, would ameliorate the issue of people living in Walmart lots for days on end, and still give responsible RVers -- the vast majority of us -- time to get a good night's sleep and also spend some money locally.
Delete12 hours is enough! NEVER leave your RV (in a Walmart parking lot) to go to a movie etc.
DeleteWe actually prefer to "boondock" in places that are NOT on a list. The aforementioned "boondockerswelcome.com" looks and sounds like a great idea, but I'm not sure how I'd NOT feel like I was imposing.
ReplyDeleteActually the boondockerswelcom site reminds me of the "Couchsurfing" site. I joined that and met a couple of interesting people passing through Chiriqui Province, Panama where I live.
DeleteIn the last five years of RV-ing, we have stayed at a Walmart once and a casino once - - neither were very positive experiences. We regard those choices as last-ditch necessities due to the exigencies of the trip. Other than a severe mechanical breakdown, t's hard to understand why anyone would want to undergo a string of days in such severe, noisy, unappealing conditions. Perhaps that's a clue to the personality type that would over-stay their welcome.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Walmart's graciousness depends on reciprocal grace from the parking lot tenants. You can be sure that if Walmart has to go out and "police" their parking lot, kicking people out after a day, etc., they will simply shut it down. Their business is retail, not crowd control. Perhaps they could invest in some signage? "RV's welcome, this area only, one night maximum please. Parking only, no BBQ's, awnings, etc." Just a thought.
This has nothing to do with RVing. The pertinent phrase is, "one of the family members was using one of the store's bathrooms, while two others stood guard at the door." Why would you need someone to stand guard at the door?
ReplyDeleteThat's the very question that everyone should be asking. What was this person doing in the store's restroom that required two self-appointed guards at the door?????
DeleteIt is sad that a few take advantage and ruin the opportunity for others who may just be passing thru the area. Although we have not stayed in a Wal-Mart parking lot, we appreciate their hospitality should it be needed.
ReplyDeleteIt was inevitable. Such a wonderful perk abused by so many over the years. The idea was to arrive late and leave early as if few people even knew we were there. It was great for travelers looking for a quick respite. Let's hope Walmart does keep it's cool along with local governing bodies and we can continue to enjoy there locations.
ReplyDeleteExactly why did the guy using the bathroom in Walmart need to have 2 other guys "guard" the door. Meth lab?? Why has Walmart been letting these "vagrants" move in and stay. They started a president that needed to be stopped long ago. Anyone spending the night at a Walmart should not be putting their slides out, levelers down, setting up their outdoor chairs or and any outside items. They have gotten away with too much for too long. It jeopardizes the good will of Walmart for allowing RV'ers on the road a night in their parking lot. Just spending 1 night in their parking lot is not "camping" and should not be considered that, get your few hours of sleep, groceries or what ever else you need and then move on.
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