RE: Safety tips aired on local news

[Danusmom]

 I was in the middle of posting a response to a post titled (paraphrased) " (Safety) while camping"  when I received a response not allowing me to do so. I think I know why it was deleted....we re not supposed to talk/post about certain " protection implements" , even if insinuating said implements.
 
 Anyway, here s a story that aired on our local news which gives tips on how to minimize yourself & your campsite as a target for theft: http://www.clickondetroit.com/defenders/2375959/detail.html
 
 Freak accidents occur everywhere. You just need to learn the certain precautions you can take to minimize yourself or your campsite as a target. Many steps/precautions are within our control --to a certain extent. That which is not, I give to Him. Hope this dispels any unnecessary fears.
 
 Happy camping!
 
 Peace be with you all.

[mike4947]

 Danusmom
Went to the " news"  story. Looks more like sensationalistic journalism than a straight news article. The " Defenders Investigate"  logo for the Detroit channel 4 site says to me: We ll write anything without verifying the facts if it gets people to watch.
 Their link to http://camp-a-roo.com/ takes you to a commercial site and I looked but couldn t find the TIPS the " news"  article refers to.

[Danusmom]

 Danusmom
It took me awhile the 1st time to find the " tips" .  If you click on the top tab of " Camping Tips" , then scroll down the index on the left column, you ll find the category of " Avoiding Campground Theft" .....Here s where that last link will bring you to: http://www.camp-a-roo.com/theft.shtml
 
 Channel 4 s " Defenders"  are the more objective reporters compared to the other network affiliates in the area.  I ve had experience with just about all of them during my years in business.  Channel 4 (NBC affiliate) has always been the most honorable in their reporting...IMO.
 
 Peace be with you all.

[mike4947]

 Danusmom
Thanks Mom, Sometimes I can t see the forest thru the trees.
 
 This quote makes me never want to go camping in Michigan.
 
 " The Defenders have uncovered police reports revealing hundreds of crimes at campsites across the state. Up North, Western Michigan and right here at metro Detroit campsites, crimes ranging from petty thefts to assaults and even rapes have been reported."  
 
 I ll stick to upstate NY where the petty theives are racoons.[]

[Danusmom]

 Danusmom
What irritated me is that they named 3 different campgrounds during the report, but did not list them on the site.  I would have liked to have seen a link, at the very least, of the reported crimes & the campgrounds in which they occurred along with the dates these crimes were committed.  From what I understood from the (televised) report was the overwhelming " crimes"  were actually petty thefts.  Some of these crimes could have been committed more than 5 years ago & the security structure could have changed in the meantime.  Data can often be skewed to present a certain outcome; embellished or otherwise.  The 2 guys named in the report who committed felony crimes, as I understand it, were camping in KOA s, not State Parks.
 
 I have a friend who is a Lieutenant in the C.I. unit of the State police.  I suppose I could ask him for the data....when he has some " free time" .[][]
 
 I still feel safe camping in groups in the State Parks where we ve camped.  Especially since the State Police post is less than 5 miles from the campground s gates & they regularly make " rounds"  in the campground.
 
 Peace be with you all.

[Opie431]

 Danusmom
We have camped over 400 times in Michigan State Parks, we have never had any damage or theft. At the same time we do not camp at the parks where the campsites are open and close together.  I would think that the chance of theft would be worse when you are at the campsites that are surrounded by trees and where you could not see if people were going in and doing damage.   We leave the radio on when we go away and leave our large  watch cat in the PU.

[Ernhrts3n8]

 Danusmom
Interesting article.  Please always use common sense when camping.