[Slugman]

This thread is crazy. Vigilante? There is zero percent "vigilante" in being a chaperone for cars. The speculation about violence is also crazy nonsense. Made up fantasy. Nothing makes me triggered more than do nothings attacking the charitable efforts of others. Read the second post in this thread. The thieves will just go elsewhere? No kidding, that's the whole point. He is not trying to end all crime, just let people hike in one place for one day with less worry about theft. And if the guy didn't tell anyone about his plan, how could they know about it? This is why we can't have nice things, because mean spirited attackers will crap all over everything and anything. If trailheads terrify someone, then please stay home with the doors locked and shades pulled down. That way your nonsense won't deter people from trying out an idea. If I saw someone waiting at a trailhead, I would figure they were the first of a group to arrive, or the first of a group to have finished. But if someone wants to "think" they are criminals allowing witnesses to accumulate then good for them. Crazy.

[Bedivere]

If his goal is to deter criminals rather than enact some vigilante/catch-them-in-the-act action then broadcasting his appearance and schedule is perfect. If he brings a chair and sits outside with a cooler and talks to people then I doubt anyone will be scared that he's a criminal just hanging around waiting for a chance. Especially if he lets people know who he is and what he's doing. And, if someone with criminal intentions shows up and finds him hanging around, it's extremely unlikely they'll assault him just for being there. It's far more likely they'll just leave. This sounds like a great idea if it does nothing more than give some people some peace of mind. For it to be truly effective on any kind of scale it will have to be done by many more people in many more places, and of course unless we get to the point where every trailhead is manned 24/7 there's no way it will deter all trailhead crime, but at least someone is willing to give up some of their own time to do *something.*

[Riverside Laker]

We need a similar sign up for 4 hour shifts at our local QFC. The poor security guard looks so bored there.

[Flash Gordon]

I hate trail head prowlers. I ensure no valuables are in my car, and usually leave the doors unlocked to deter break ins. Since the trailhead is remote, I have no faith in a locked car or an alarm deterring someone from performing a smash and grab. I came to this revelation after having my secured vehicles windows shot out at a trail head allowing the thieves access to my empty car.

[Cyclopath]

[Bedivere]

[I'm Pysht]

One of these days I'm going to do the same type of thing at the Dickerman Mt. trailhead. I'm going to set a sign out that says something like "No trailhead break-ins today!" and "Smile, you're on candid camera!" I'll set up my shelter/screen room next to my car (being careful not to take up another parking spot), set out my dog's mattress to give her a place to relax, and set out a cooler full of ice cold water bottles for hikers to take. During the day I'll pick up all of the litter in the parking area, let people pet my dog, listen to a lot of Jimmy Buffett, read a book or two, and enjoy the day relaxing in my lounge chair. It'll be fun chatting with the many hikers throughout the day. I hope one of my kids or a buddy or two will join in. We'll enjoy some great BBQ and maybe an adult beverage or two. It'll be a blast.

[canadug]

Up at Skaha climbing area in BC near Penticton there are two volunteers that monitor the parking lot and have an info booth set up. It has been there for a couple of seasons now and break-ins are now non-existent. BC could do with many more of these set-ups as could many spots in WA state. Kudos to anyone who steps up.

[Cyclopath]

[Anne Elk]

It all sounds good, though I think some of the more "spectacular" TH thefts/vandalism have happened at night (like the one where all the wheels were stolen), or at more remote THs. Maybe that's where trailcams could really come in handy, at known night time problem spots. Check out the photo from a night time license plate cam on this site .

[timberghost]

I put trail cams out to catch garbage dumpers and wood thieves all the time why not trailheads

[Sculpin]

[altasnob]

[Kim Brown]

[zephyr]