A government Agency I work with has remote sites where there has been a rash of vandalism, trespassing and theft.
I was wondering if any workampers would be willing to stand watch over the property in exchange for a free place to park. I'm just testing feasibility before I present the idea to the agency.
Here's An Example of one site: It is located in the mojave desert of California about midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. No water on site (available in town) Possible 20amp electric No dump facility would need to go to town to dump Desert temperatures with over 100 during summer months 40 to 60 in winter Lots of sun and wind for power generation alternatives Nearest town (very small) 10 miles with groceries and fuel plus post office Major town with hospital 40 miles No WiFi but good cell service (AT&T & Verizon- not sure about others)
Duties during the week 5:30 am to 4 pm Open locked gate in the morning, close and lock gate in the afternoon. Contact Sheriff if you see trespassers.
On the weekend gate remains locked, you would contact the Sheriff if anybody is trespassing. No need to confront the trespasser(s).
Since the site is manned by government personnel during the week days, you may be allowed to leave the site during the week and return on Friday to stand watch for the weekend. Most of the vandalism and theft have occurred on the weekends.
You and anyone else assisting you would need to pass a government background check.
Does this sound like a workkamping situation someone would be interested in ?
This is just a test to determine if there is interest...this is not a job offer since I haven't presented it to the agency for approval. If this is approved I would post ads on the usual workamping websites.
Hdrider said
04:37 PM Jun 4, 2015
The first thing that comes to mind is there are lots of places we can park for free with no water, no dump station and maybe no power with NO responsibilities. Not sure I would step into possible harms way to get what I can get elsewhere. But that's just me and maybe I'm missing something.
Trabuco said
07:46 PM Jun 4, 2015
I don't think I'd be interested in something like that as well. Since most issues arise during the weekends while I would be there with no one else around I would not be interested. On top of that no pay, no power to speak of and no water just doesn't sound too inviting.
RonandBee said
08:47 PM Jun 4, 2015
I live in Las Vegas and travel through the Mojave many times a year going to San Diego. I am also an ex-Federal Government employee and know there are several facilities out there belonging to the government. While the scenery is beautiful in it's own right, would I want to stay out there, especially during the summer heat, with no pay, water, etc.? If there would happen to be a trespasser and law enforcement is called, it could be quite a bit of time before they would arrive. LE is stretched pretty thin out in many of those areas. So with all that being said, I would have to pass on something like that.
Camper Chronicles said
05:41 AM Jun 5, 2015
We are trying to follow the good weather...so I'd have to say no. Trying to imagine dealing with 100 degree heat with no AC...hmmm nope
TXRVr said
06:43 AM Jun 6, 2015
Without substantial pay, I wouldn't unless I was hiding out from the police.
soos said
11:00 PM Jun 6, 2015
we've never work camped but as others have said, there isn't much of a reason for anyone TO accept that position.
We are camped for free in a national forest right now. No hook up, no wifi, but we are here because the temperature is NOT 100 degrees. What would be the benefit of moving from a free spot with great temps and no responsibilities to one with high heat, no hookup and responsibilities?
sirwinston21 said
08:10 AM Jun 7, 2015
The schools around Anchorage AK do that. We had some friends last year that watched a middle school in Wasilla for a site in the parking lot.
TRAILERKING said
11:34 AM Jun 7, 2015
.......................rash of vandalism, trespassing and theft.
I don't think that's a relaxing "Work Camping" job. You out in the boonies playing DEPUTY DOG......If there is theft going on and they want something bad enough, I don't think someone in a camper is going to deter them. You might just get in their way.......Or line of fire.
The Bear II said
09:15 AM Jun 9, 2015
I thank everyone who has responded and appreciate your concerns and suggestions.
Let me add-
With someone at the sites it would deter the trespassers. The one site I used as an example is a worse case scenario. As I see it, the biggest problem at this site is there's no locked gate. On the internet I found many blog posts where folks had visited the site and indicated that even though there were federal land "No Trespassing" signs, since there was no locked gate they decided to drive in and look around. A couple of the bloggers even posted photos of the signs in the blog entry.
Most of the sites are completely fenced and gated which would offer good security for a care taker.
Communications usually isn't a problem since these sites are on mountain or hill tops along with cell towers from most providers.
Based on the comments so far, when I present this idea I will include the possible need for full hookups with at least 30amp electric.
A government Agency I work with has remote sites where there has been a rash of vandalism, trespassing and theft.
I was wondering if any workampers would be willing to stand watch over the property in exchange for a free place to park. I'm just testing feasibility before I present the idea to the agency.
Here's An Example of one site:
It is located in the mojave desert of California about midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
No water on site (available in town)
Possible 20amp electric
No dump facility would need to go to town to dump
Desert temperatures with over 100 during summer months 40 to 60 in winter
Lots of sun and wind for power generation alternatives
Nearest town (very small) 10 miles with groceries and fuel plus post office
Major town with hospital 40 miles
No WiFi but good cell service (AT&T & Verizon- not sure about others)
Duties during the week 5:30 am to 4 pm
Open locked gate in the morning, close and lock gate in the afternoon. Contact Sheriff if you see trespassers.
On the weekend gate remains locked, you would contact the Sheriff if anybody is trespassing. No need to confront the trespasser(s).
Since the site is manned by government personnel during the week days, you may be allowed to leave the site during the week and return on Friday to stand watch for the weekend. Most of the vandalism and theft have occurred on the weekends.
You and anyone else assisting you would need to pass a government background check.
Does this sound like a workkamping situation someone would be interested in ?
This is just a test to determine if there is interest...this is not a job offer since I haven't presented it to the agency for approval. If this is approved I would post ads on the usual workamping websites.
Without substantial pay, I wouldn't unless I was hiding out from the police.
We are camped for free in a national forest right now. No hook up, no wifi, but we are here because the temperature is NOT 100 degrees. What would be the benefit of moving from a free spot with great temps and no responsibilities to one with high heat, no hookup and responsibilities?
.......................rash of vandalism, trespassing and theft.
I don't think that's a relaxing "Work Camping" job. You out in the boonies playing DEPUTY DOG......If there is theft going on and they want something bad enough, I don't think someone in a camper is going to deter them. You might just get in their way.......Or line of fire.
Let me add-
With someone at the sites it would deter the trespassers. The one site I used as an example is a worse case scenario. As I see it, the biggest problem at this site is there's no locked gate. On the internet I found many blog posts where folks had visited the site and indicated that even though there were federal land "No Trespassing" signs, since there was no locked gate they decided to drive in and look around. A couple of the bloggers even posted photos of the signs in the blog entry.
Most of the sites are completely fenced and gated which would offer good security for a care taker.
Communications usually isn't a problem since these sites are on mountain or hill tops along with cell towers from most providers.
Based on the comments so far, when I present this idea I will include the possible need for full hookups with at least 30amp electric.
Thanks again for your feedback.