Alert RVing and Protestors

[Neal]

I do not understand the rationale of defunding police when we need protection and this is the one thing I think our country is way short on (law & order). To see people climbing statues here in VA and not having no worry of the police arresting them is disgusting and despicable. To be able to riot and loot without worry of getting caught is another sick thing we are all witnessing. The reality is like many other things it's out of our control, there is nothing we can do about it. As I alluded above I had wondered when the good cops (civilians) would step in to counter the bad (rioters). At some point the population needs to be the barrier if the police and/or military cannot do it. Again, this is something we can't do anything about other then show up at elections and hope our vote counts and helps matters per our beliefs.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I do not understand the rationale of defunding police when we need protection and this is the one thing I think our country is way short on (law & order).

It is a simplistic attempt to solve a complex problem; e.g. "If there were no police there would be no police misbehavior." It overlooks the fact that without police, there would be lots of misbehavior from all sectors.

The creators of these slogans go for something catchy without thinking through the ramifications. It could just as easily be "If there were no people, there would be no crime." A true statement, but it doesn't pass the rationality standard. The same is true for "Defund the Police."

TJ

 

[FL-JOE]

Thanks for posting the clip Neal. I wish NY would have that looped in on all their huge outdoor monitors playing 24/7 in the downtown area for the next week. That little girl was spot on.

It has just been a bad few days on several fronts. As if seeing the VN memorial wall defaced with spray paint wasn't bad enough then Hanoi Jane crawled out from under her rock to make a public statement.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

IMHO, If forced to travel, there are many Phone Apps that will provide 'real time' road conditions. If I had to travel during this time I would be checking those apps routinely several times during each leg of the trip. Avoiding large city centers and be done traveling each day by early afternoon, before 3 p.m. Over the years I have noted that traffic and people movement increases significantly after 2:30 - 3 p.m.

Also, there is a risk of folks throwing objects off over passes which is very real. The radical elements of our society have taken to prepositioning easily thrown objects near places of unrest.

My first plan, plan A if you will, is always to avoid issues. Making a concerted effort 'to avoid' is typically all you will need, if well executed. That said have a plan B ...... and C and D should plan A not work out. A well worn axiom, "no plan survives first contact".

Things don't always end well waiting for 911 to respond., especially when police are scattered tending to other 911 calls.

The Reginald Denny story is top of mind of many professional drivers. As a result of the Reginald Denny event I believe, Truck drivers have specific laws that protect them from people that knowingly put themselves at risk near their rigs. The risk of injury reverts to the individual who knowingly puts themselves at risk of injury near a Big Rig.


Attack on Reginald Denny - Wikipedia

 

[Neal]

It would probably be wise to stock up on pepper and/or bear spray. I hear sales of these items are peaked so may be hard to get.

 

[GlampDaddy]

If it was me I'd say stay in the coach with doors and basements locked, shades down, and call 911. I would make sure you have access to any self defense you may carry in the "slides in" configuration. i.e. I keep one "thing" under my bed, that won't be the case right now. I do have another "thing" in a cabinet forward of the bed. Just be prepared is my advice. Avoid confrontation, remember you have insurance, let whatever happens happen as long as you and your other passengers are safe. The RV is a "thing" and it can be fixed or replaced. Loss of lives or prison sentences are not a desired end result of anyone in your RV.

Good advice. And, travel with "things."

 

[jmltech]

I’m not in favor of defunding. But, I am in favor of smarter funding and non-police oversight boards for purchases and conduct reviews for police complaints. My concern with the police is; 1) why do we have police “uniforms” that look like they are battle ready and about to be deployed? (I’m not speaking of the current protest situation) We have community police in towns and counties across U.S.A that are dressed in full military looking “uniforms”. I believe that sends an unconscious message as soon as a police officer steps out of their car. Also, police vehicles that look “military” 2) Why do we have police, police themselves? Whenever a citizen makes a complaint on an officer, it is their colleagues that “look into it”. How many serious allegations have been swept away by their own internal reviews?

 

[RandyB]

My opinion is that many, many lives would have been saved for following a simple word...compliance. When a person of authority tells you to stop, get down or get in the cruiser, comply! Now. With respect. If you're innocent, it can be worked out. If you're guilty, at least you're alive.

 

[Neal]

My opinion is that many, many lives would have been saved for following a simple word...compliance. When a person of authority tells you to stop, get down or get in the cruiser, comply! Now. With respect. If you're innocent, it can be worked out. If you're guilty, at least you're alive.

I agree, all of us sane people here agree. Police officer aggression is a result of aggression IMHO. Criminals are not polite when they are facing arrest. We all know this. Common sense does not prevail in our society, sadly, and we all suffer as a result. Welcome to RVing aka isolation and getting away from insanity.

 

[Neal]

Well, this is interesting. I was looking on Amazon to stock up on pepper spray for my upcoming trip. Found this, at first I said umm no, now I'm thinking this is actually wise to even keep in the coach for self-defense regardless of the current events.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5TIY3J/?tag=rvf01-20



Otherwise I'm at least getting a few of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007VM8UC/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[GlampDaddy]

Using either one would probably be very effective, as well as requiring much less paperwork than other 'things.'

 

[Neemer]

Honestly, I don’t see the utility of sprays given the current threat environment. I rely on things with boom switches exclusively.

 

[MapNerd]

Well, this is interesting. I was looking on Amazon to stock up on pepper spray for my upcoming trip. Found this, at first I said umm no, now I'm thinking this is actually wise to even keep in the coach for self-defense regardless of the current events.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5TIY3J/?tag=rvf01-20

View attachment 2299

Otherwise I'm at least getting a few of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007VM8UC/?tag=rvf01-20

Bad idea imo. The style of that particular item leaves it open to being interpreted as a handgun when concealed and/or holstered which is likely to escalate a situation beyond what is appropriate. I’d suggest sticking with the bear spray or pepper spray in a can. Also, there’s no clear advantage to dispensing the chemical using a gun-like device.

Let gun shaped items be guns. Let spray shaped items be sprays. Avoid misinterpretations and unneeded escalation or escalation of situations to inappropriate levels.

 

[Jim]

What is scary is that it isn't just a movement or fringe group calling for this....now you have major city mayors, council people, HRC campaign spokesman and former DOJ spokesman Brian Fallon calling for defunding.

Amazing times we are living in....I just want to go RVing!

When those who keep anarchy away from your doorstep leave, so will any contributing, useful element of society.

Business will leave, people who contribute to a useful society will leave, I would leave, you would leave, etc. The only people left will be gang bangers and those who make their living in a manner that benefits when they don't have to watch out for law enforcement.

The mayors, governors and other elected officials of that city, town or state, will have to wonder how long their private protection services will last when they are the only thing left to protect them.

I hate it for the good people who have invested their lives in a business or whose homes are in those areas. But seriously, they need to consider leaving and let the natural progression of this play out.

The idiocy of this whole thing we are watching unfold is simply beyond my ability to comprehend. What has happened to the USA that I grew up in?

It's gone, forever I'm afraid.

 

[Neemer]

Jim, I share many of your sentiments but I think we are still early in the game. So much rhetoric is being bandied about, so much pandering, it’s hard to know what people really think and what they will really do. The mayor of Minneapolis injected a grain of sanity into the dialog yesterday and that showed me a glimmer of hope.