charlestonsouthern wrote:
Just read that the state of Tennessee has passed legislation to make unauthorized camping or parking in public spaces a felony which, of course, creates a criminal record for the felon. Usually, certain ordinances (not criminal) are passed in municipalities to handle these things, but I've never heard of a state getting so heavily involved.
The reason I bring this up is that once I had a blogger friend I blogged with who did a lot of stealth camping; he has passed on now at the age of 82, and we called him Tioga George. Most of this type of camping he did in Mexico, San Diego, Calif. (his home town), and in Oregon. He never made it to the east coast during his vagabond days. If he would have made it to Tennessee today, he probably would continuously be in trouble. George vowed he would never sleep in a RV park. All the years I knew him, he would get in trouble here and there, more often in Oregon than anywhere else. Generally, the problems would ensue when the police would wake him up in the middle of the night, ask him to move on, he had very little sleep and would mouth off at the police and end up in court. George was not a poor man, but he didn't like people disrupting his life style. I wonder how many Tioga George's we have in Tennessee. Like George use to say; I'm not bothering anyone; why doesn't the police just leave me alone; I've paid my taxes like everyone else during my working years.
Making it a Felony, will ensure non-repeating I'm sure. I would have to assume this doesn't extend to private property. I continue to overnight @ Walmart Supercenters, Walmart Neighborhood grocery stores, and Cracker Barrels. All unabated by LEO.
