Hi Teagan! Your subscribers may be interested in this little blurb I recorded with our communications team here at Burning Man HQ. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MGvnqAhWODU.html Thanks!
A couple points of clarifications for you and your fans: D-Lot is where we send folks that have "complicated issues" that need resolution. The main function of D-Lot is to get these complex folks outta the lanes so other people that have done it right can get through quickly and efficiently. This includes folks showing up early without a Work Access Pass but as we get closer to Gate opening we shunt these folks off to the Staging Lot. Staging is organized in a "First In, Last Out" model... so you're right, if someone shows up too early, they may indeed wait many hours before we allow them into the city. Thank you for such a wonderful and concise guide to help participants get into the event. It warms my black-shirted heart that people are getting it right.
Thanks so much! This video is brilliant and hopefully all the gate & exodus stuff will go nice and smoothly this year. I'm going to try and figure out how to pin this comment to the top so that people will see it because it's really useful.
Awww thankyou :) I'm glad I could warm your black shirted heart! I'm lucky enough to never have ended up in D-Lot or the staging lot and fingers crossed I never do. Thanks for the clarifications! Much appreciated x
Hi, forgive me if I am making a wrong assumption as you sound foreign so may not be fully up on U.S. Laws. Regarding LEO and searching car. It is not a matter of if they have a right or not a right to search your car and can you or can you not refuse a search. This is not a matter that is decided between you and the officer. This is a matter that is decided on in a court of law. There are 8 little words you must teach you and everybody as a passenger in your car to know and stand firm on: "Officer, I do not consent to a search" This does not stop LEO from searching your car or anything else they want to do. It does protect your rights later in court as if a search is declared unlawful, any evidence gathered from the illegal search can be suppressed. This right vanishes the moment you give up your rights. If you feel that the LEO is keeping you there longer then needed "Am I being detained or am I free to go?" LEO is only allowed to keep you at a traffic stop for a certain amount of time before releasing you. If you voluntarily stay, you may be setting yourself up. For example voluntarily staying longer then needed at a stop may give them time for a drug sniffing dog to arrive. The dog arrives, which gives them excuse for a probable cause to search the vehicle and now you or your buddies are in trouble. There are many many good and reasonable video's on RU-vid and elsewhere which give very good advice on how to respectfully interact with LEO while maintaining your rights.
Your assumptions are correct! I'm British and definitely not up on US laws, I've tried to research them as much as possible because I think it's really important to know what your rights are when you go to another country. Thanks for clearing that up! From what I've read up even though you cannot prevent an officer from performing a search or alcohol tests, you do have the right to know the reasoning for them wanting to carry out a search (I'm assuming they aren't required by law to tell you if they don't want to). I always think it's best to try and deal with law enforcement in a respectful way, there's no sense is getting them annoyed at you as it's likely just going to make them want to catch you out for something even more!
Always deal with Law enforcement in a calm and respectful manner, but stand up for your rights and do not let their perceived annoyance to intimidate you into giving up your rights. I really love your videos. Can't wait to see more.
Former LEO here. What KMDDiver said is spot on. Although different states have different laws and some special rules apply when you're on Federal Lands. Absolutely remain calm, if you look more nervous than people normally do, they will look closer. If they say they smell something that is PC to detain you to call the dog. Whether or not you are going to, or have any marijuana in your vehicle is your business, I'm not judging anyone. But BE SMART.....don't smoke a bowl before you get there IN the vehicle. BE respectful....DO NOT raise your voice or be confrontational. The phrase "I respectfully decline" works well if they ask to search. If the LEO responds with the old, "well, if you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to fear" line. Don't fall for it, this cop is lazy IMHO. Just say to him/her, "I never consent to relinquishing my Constitutional rights". And as KMDDiver said, the phrase "Am I free to leav?" works well whether you're in a vehicle or not. If you say that (Am I free to leave) if the cop says anything but "yes" you have the right to ask for an attorney. A reasonable amount of time they can detain you without probable cause is generally about 20 minutes. Oh, and make sure your passengers don't mouth off to the officer. You are obligated to give your name, date of birth and current address in most places....you will have to show them your drivers license, registration for the vehicle and proof of insurance....beyond that you can "respectfully decline" any other requests for information. DO NOT take off your seat belt until the officer is standing beside your vehicle. And certainly don't let anyone throw anything out of a window. Passengers, unless they were caught not wearing a seat belt or the officer can articulate some other reason for asking them questions are usually not under any obligation to answer any questions or show any identification. If asked, it's not out of line to ask them what their probable cause is. And remember, there is a difference between asking to see I.D. and telling someone to show them your I.D.. DO NOT get out of the car unless you are instructed to and that goes for passengers as well.
Thanks Teagan. I'm looking forward to your upcoming post on where to camp. I've read that most of the "sound camps" are out near the edge of the open areas, so that should be fairly easy to stay away from. But, we're doing our first BM without joining a camp, so we aren't sure what areas are best where we won't be in the way of a large camp and where some tent campers can use our travel trailer for shade.
Hopefully the sound camps are going to be on the edges again to make it easier for us light sleepers (although I feel like even deep sleepers would have trouble getting a good kip if they were right next to a sound camp all week!) Can't wait for the map to released! I'm working on that video at the moment, I've roped some friends in to see what their top camping spots are because we all love different things. I'm sure that anyone that ends up getting to use your trailer for some extra shade is going to be super happy about it!
Very helpful, thank you! I would like to go next year in 2019. I'm terrified I will run out of gas in the line in my RV, or water, or burn up in that sizzling heat. Please address these issues. Also, how does one deal with their toilet waste? Any creative ideas?
2018 Had a Work Access Pass (WAP) Setting up as a Greeter. Got stopped just off the highway on the winey road at Nixon. Law Enforcement Officers were bound and determined to find my killer stash of illegal drugs... They search... The dog search twice. Seems like they were getting desperate. Initial traffic stop was speeding and covered license plate. They gave me tips on license plate position and said "have a nice day". The majority of the participants are not crafty criminals, they just want to see the spectacle of the Radical Ritual. Know I'll get some grief on "sticking up for my rights" but keeping a cool head makes all the difference. In dust we trust.
I've always wanted to go but unfortunately never put aside the time, but after hearing my friends experiences there, I do plan on going at least once and btw, enjoy your videos, ty
I am assigned to a camp and have a spot assigned, so I guess it isn't a %100 "free for all". If I camped wherever I wanted, then I would be disrespecting my camp who got me my ticket, then I would not be able to volunteer for my camp events and help build the community. Not to be taken negative: I love her videos and the way she volunteers her time and information so that you have a better experience. And she is easy to look at and listen to ;) Much Love.
D-Lot is like a parking area. It's so that gate road can be kept clear for people coming in and anyone that would take longer to process has somewhere to park up while they're getting everything sorted out.
FYI- in the USA no LEO can search your vehicle without your consent however that doesn’t mean that with some time and effort they can’t get a search warrant if they suspect illicit actions. Also weed is legal in Nevada and most neighboring states so no worries as long as you are 21 and older. A simple google search will give you each individual states regulations. Very important to note one can not transport weed across state lines. Buy your weed in the state you intend to consume it in.
Federal laws apply on federal lands and BLM does not recognize state authority in this matter. There are many types of law enforcement operating together at Burning Man and in the weeks before and after the event. The pre-event week when early arrivals are coming into the city is when these multi-agency teams train together. The feds will have dogs trained to do whatever it is they're trained for. Just don't have it out anywhere except in your private space and don't use it in public ever and you're probably fine.
Sorry, no. The police need probable cause to search your car and you are free to refuse a search. At the gate, I have no problem with them searching the car.