Private Security

[Major Krash]

our Regional Event is 3 days/2 nights, and we have paid security. Other similar events in similar locations have had security for years, after several disturbing events. Due to geography, LEO's can be 2+ hours away, if not on scene (we now request and pay for LEO's on scene, in addition to Security). We also have a group similar to BRC Rangers, "REF's", who do the same sort of stuff. In practice, the REF's handle the delicate stuff, Security does all the heavy lifting, and the LEO's hang out at Med Tent and have a good time. Our Security company has been doing events like this for many years, with this crowd, and does a very good job. It is extremely helpful when you are running a 400+ person 3 day event in the mountains to be able to have professionals handle security issues (Gate is bad enough). It also helps with the permitting and insurance angles (none of which are issues at BM).

BM is (or should be) different. There are no "outsiders" by definition (GP&E ensure that!). And plenty of LEO's are on scene 24/7 (plus lot's of BRC Rangers). I fully support camp volunteers, but am also a little creeped out at the thought of paid security...if that is what is being talked about

[Savannah]

also, people, if you are in a situation and feeling uncomfortable.......or worse yet, being molested is a way that's "not ok".......scream, yell, kick and spit.....one of us will hear, and come to your aid.

True! Need help? Be loud. Make a fuss. Don't be embarrassed. The playa has a higher-than-average number of proactive people per thousand. Better to be a bit embarrassed in the short-term than get hurt.

Similarly--if you see someone who looks uncomfortable, preyed upon, or or feel like something isn't right, say "Everything all right, here? Come out and have some pretzels and Gatorade. Wanna to go get some air? / I'm headed to the portos, wanna come? / I'm headed to Medical to have a cut looked at, wanna come? They don't charge."

. . . Whatever you feel you need to say. And if it still doesn't look right, alert other people, go get a Ranger from 3:00 & C, 9:00 & C or Center Camp or flag down a cop.

a big part of the discussion here, and this is a very worthwhile discussion is "watching out for eachother".....often it's obvious when someone is up to "no good".....a simple "hey, do you camp here, I'm looking for Tom", can let a thief know they've been spotted.
or
"are you looking for Sue? that's her stuff, hold on , I'll go get her for you".

non confrontational, but shines a light.

Yggy, those are brilliant ways of asking someone what they're up to, especially "Are you looking for Sue? That's her stuff, hold on, I'll get her." It doesn't even have to be Sue's stuff. It can be Joe's stuff. And if they say "I am indeed looking for Sue" you can say "Well, you're in the wrong spot."

I'm totally going to use that. I'm already ready to confront a stranger if I don't think they're supposed to be somewhere, but it's awkward and those are good techniques for the non-confrontational.

If you're easy-going or shy, you have to think about these things in advance.

[ygmir]

also, people, if you are in a situation and feeling uncomfortable.......or worse yet, being molested is a way that's "not ok".......scream, yell, kick and spit.....one of us will hear, and come to your aid.

True! Need help? Be loud. Make a fuss. Don't be embarrassed. The playa has a higher-than-average number of proactive people per thousand. Better to be a bit embarrassed in the short-term than get hurt.

Similarly--if you see someone who looks uncomfortable, preyed upon, or or feel like something isn't right, say "Everything all right, here? Come out and have some pretzels and Gatorade. Wanna to go get some air? / I'm headed to the portos, wanna come? / I'm headed to Medical to have a cut looked at, wanna come? They don't charge."

. . . Whatever you feel you need to say. And if it still doesn't look right, alert other people, go get a Ranger from 3:00 & C, 9:00 & C or Center Camp or flag down a cop.

a big part of the discussion here, and this is a very worthwhile discussion is "watching out for eachother".....often it's obvious when someone is up to "no good".....a simple "hey, do you camp here, I'm looking for Tom", can let a thief know they've been spotted.
or
"are you looking for Sue? that's her stuff, hold on , I'll go get her for you".

non confrontational, but shines a light.

Yggy, those are brilliant ways of asking someone what they're up to, especially "Are you looking for Sue? That's her stuff, hold on, I'll get her." It doesn't even have to be Sue's stuff. It can be Joe's stuff. And if they say "I am indeed looking for Sue" you can say "Well, you're in the wrong spot."

I'm totally going to use that. I'm already ready to confront a stranger if I don't think they're supposed to be somewhere, but it's awkward and those are good techniques for the non-confrontational.

If you're easy-going or shy, you have to think about these things in advance.

indeed. keeps me from getting trampled.

[MacGlenver]

TLDR -- we're talking about chastity belts here, right?

[unjonharley]

TLDR -- we're talking about chastity belts here, right?

Master master!!! you gave me the wrong key..

[FIGJAM]

Those should only be made out of chocolate!

[Thecatman]

I thought the Pershing county sheriff department was increasing their presence.

[unjonharley]

I thought the Pershing county sheriff department was increasing their presence.

no! Burning Man org. is increasing their presents

[theCryptofishist]

I thought the Pershing county sheriff department was increasing their presence.

Nevada passed a law that specifically made it illegal to do what Pershing Co. was trying to do. So now they are reduced to what ever passive/aggressive crap they can invent instead.

[maladroit]

They can't charge for a permit, so they'll need to get their money another way. There will be more law enforcement on playa than ever this year, as always.

[lucky420]

While Pershing county was in the process of losing their battle to charge more for services this year, the county DA was commenting something to the effect of "if we can't charge more we may not be able to supply more enforcement".

The reason being that BM was taking more of Pershings resources away from regular county/enforcement issues. So not sure if there will be more of a Pershing co presence in BRC than last year or not. BLM will surely fill the void and also extra help from Washoe county.

I would be more worried about Pershing county and Nv Highway Patrol on my way to the burn. Especially for those coming in to Nv from I80 east". You will be passing through Pershing co./Lovelock.

[geospyder]

At this point Washoe is not on the Playa except as tourists. They patrol Gerlach and the highways outside the Playa.

[lucky420]

Oh I thought some of the washoe guys moonlighted for blm up there

[Ratty]

I ran across this on Pinterest. So some dumb dirtbag is planning to search your tent for valuables. Just set up the 'mini-sentry trip wire alarm system and as soon as he unzips the tent....BANG. It fires a 22 blank. Great for RVs, coolers, practical jokes etc...

[AntiM]

I ran across this on Pinterest. So some dumb dirtbag is planning to search your tent for valuables. Just set up the 'mini-sentry trip wire alarm system and as soon as he unzips the tent....BANG. It fires a 22 blank. Great for RVs, coolers, practical jokes etc...

... er? And you when you're tired and forget you trapped your own tent?

[Savannah]

Gate won't let a firearm through, and most of you look prettier with two eyes instead of one. Don't boobytrap your tents. Lock your valuables 1) out of sight 2) in vehicles.

* # of times friends have returned a borrowed item to my tent when I was out: at least 4 or 5
* # of Tents nearby that resembled mine last year: 1
* # of Times I have approached my tent when tired or tipsy and could've tripped such a mechanism myself: oh, several.
* # of times anyone has accessed my tent for purposes of thievery: 0

[theCryptofishist]

Actually, I just decided your dusty stuff shit *wasn't worth stealing.

Sorry.



*Hate to do that to Savannah, but it works better.

[tattoogoddess]

[quote="Simon of the playa"]

the thought of private security is distasteful, but also know this, there are some people on the playa who don't travel without it.

anywhere.

/quote]

Are you shitting me!? Who and why!?

[gyre]

Guns restricted by design as blank guns are not firearms in most states.
That would be a device that is not actually a gun, and incapable of firing rounds.
Usually treated as a type of pyro, separate from fireworks, which they are.

A firearm firing blanks may be legal where the weapon is legal, but not allowed to be fired with ammunition. (not relevant to the playa I imagine)
And there are blank powered devices that are legal in places blank guns are not.

There are some handgun film props that can fire full auto, and are fairly cheap.
Legal in most places.
Blanks only.

Low tents that restrict movement do seem to be least favored by thieves.
They are in a hurry.
They don't spend time in a hard to search tent.

[Savannah]

I'll bet you're right, but that's not what I'm arguing. I'm saying that Gate would probably restrict items meant to fire blanks (or strongly resembling fireworks) regardless of the exact letter of the law--because entering the event is up to their discretion when it comes right down to it. For example, it's not illegal to stuff a person into the storage space under your RV couch, but Gate looks for it.

More importantly, ePlaya can't (in good conscience) encourage people to do a particularly stupid and dangerous form of boobytrap in camp. It's unnecessary, and likely to hurt the wrong person.

Low tents that restrict movement do seem to be least favored by thieves.
They are in a hurry.
They don't spend time in a hard to search tent.

Aye. I'll bet it sucks to get caught on all fours facing away from the person whose tent you're robbing. It's like high school wrestling all over again, only alcohol-soaked and tinged with righteous indignation.

The lower tents also tend to be cheaper, so a thief is going to expect less of value.

[CornMan]

I thought we already had the conversation regarding starter's pistols. I just thought I'd bring a starter's pistol into the temple to shoot the blanks in reverence to whatever it is that everybody is being all reverent about.

[Savannah]

I thought we already had the conversation regarding starter's pistols.

I think we did, but you might like to get a little more negative attention out of it.

[gyre]

I'm not advocating tent traps, no matter how hysterical they might be.


I've used fish hooks etc in real life and it's important to recall where they are.

[CornMan]

Loud, banging starter's pistols is just plain ridiculous and will not be happening anywhere on the playa. Private security, however, will be a reality at at least one plug and play camp. They have substantial property to guard of course, but mainly it's to keep the snoopers and pranksters out.

[ygmir]

I'll bet you're right, but that's not what I'm arguing. I'm saying that Gate would probably restrict items meant to fire blanks (or strongly resembling fireworks) regardless of the exact letter of the law--because entering the event is up to their discretion when it comes right down to it. For example, it's not illegal to stuff a person into the storage space under your RV couch, but Gate looks for it.

More importantly, ePlaya can't (in good conscience) encourage people to do a particularly stupid and dangerous form of boobytrap in camp. It's unnecessary, and likely to hurt the wrong person.

Low tents that restrict movement do seem to be least favored by thieves.
They are in a hurry.
They don't spend time in a hard to search tent.

Aye. I'll bet it sucks to get caught on all fours facing away from the person whose tent you're robbing. It's like high school wrestling all over again, only alcohol-soaked and tinged with righteous indignation.

The lower tents also tend to be cheaper, so a thief is going to expect less of value.

this, I will hope I get to participate in one day........"hey, what ya doin in my/that tent?"....."lets wrassle" (in Jethro Bodine voice)