IN DEPTH: Ongoing challenges with enforcing 'squatters' on Utah's public lands

[@bbqsauce3775]

single female, late 60s, unhoused. Living in a van on less than $750 per month, Out of that I have to pay medical and car insurance, phone bill, vehicle maintenance, water, food etc... Dont do drugs, legal or not. Dont drink alcohol. Not crazy lol If people living out here would keep a clean camp, not leave hot fires smouldering, take their trash out with them things would be not only better but law enforcement would be a lot more sympathetic. I cant always afford the gasoline to move 50 miles every 2 weeks and I admittedly overstay often. When i find a spot that I feel safe at, sometimes I hate having to leave it for the unknown. To the housed public, not all of us are alcoholic druggies that trash our public lands. Some of us are normal people that are economically disadvantaged, doing the best we can in an environment thats often sketchy and dangerous.

[@thecyphercypher10101]

contact ogden housing now, they have a vouchure waiting for you, tell them kristi's chewtoy sent you

[@tammiebroggins]

Im in same boat! All my family is gone! It's terrible how people are!

[@thecyphercypher10101]

@@tammiebroggins contact ogden housing authority tammie

[@CuriositySake]

Homeless out of town chased into town. Homeless in town chased out of town 🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏿

[@jeffreymalin1340]

Right wtf is wrong with people

[@LeeHancock-x1m]

Drugs. When you do drugs you lose your job. When you lose your job you lose your house

[@SteveninTune]

It's American. Cops are Nazis ❤

[@JamesLovett-jb4oe]

​@@LeeHancock-x1m it's not always drugs. Have you ever lost a job because it closed down rent has Tripled in the last few years, groceries are too high.You make all the excuses you won't like it's hard. 😔

[@katiesioux7757]

Big developers and high rents chasing everyone out

[@jams9705]

This is our land....this is your land...we all live here together. Help those that are struggling by suppling trash and toilet waste disposal that are dispersed. This country of ours lacks empathy and compassion and has lots of money to bomb and destroy others. There needs to be a change within for our fellow human beings !

[@frankmacleod2565]

You want to supply freeloaders? Must be a Democrat

[@peterharris6482]

must be a trump fascist​@@frankmacleod2565

[@zepplysZen]

Seems like we are really really going the other way on that😢

[@jeannettelee2806]

Why can’t people dispose of their garbage, keep their area livable, they are going into town to get supplies, take your garbage and get rid of the waste.

[@SteveninTune]

@@jeannettelee2806 nobody knew the free trash dump was in town. You saved the world

[@1955porsche]

low wages, high cost of everything= homeless , live in your car lifestyle

[@Snake-zp2tz]

i dont have a problem with homeless ppl it what they do to the property and land them show up it's clean they stay for awhile and the trash and wreck everything if they kept it clean they won't get such a hard time

[@elainegoad9777]

The problem is not being solved for homeless, affordable housing, good paying full time jobs, and safe decent senior housing, health care, etc... shuffling people back and forth doesn't solve the problem and neither does SCOTUS criminalizing homelessness.

[@latrapp4641]

Do these “resources” separate people from their pets? Would you give up on the only friend who never gave up on you to obtain a more permanent shelter?

[@tomc.4860]

Public land Belongs to the Public, NOT to the government

[@frankmacleod2565]

That doesn't mean it literally belongs to you and you can do whatever you want

[@frankmacleod2565]

If the land is public, then I can dam the grand canyon for my own personal use? And the Yellowstone too

[@katiesioux7757]

💯🎯💯🎯

[@katiesioux7757]

​@@frankmacleod2565it kinda does

[@frankmacleod2565]

@@katiesioux7757 no, it doesn't. If you come here to Redwood National Park and start cutting down old-growth redwood trees, you will go to jail.

[@pagosa1040]

As someone who lives close to a similar BLM area in Colorado, seeing the trash piles grow, fire rings everywhere, needles, toilet paper, lots of non local people with no attachments to the area, safety has become an issue. Who's out here looking for the cost of their next tank of gas while im walking the dog or riding a bike? Since the incident at moose creek Montana this October im armed all the time.

[@katiesioux7757]

Non locals with no attachment to communities? Lol tourists and travelers??

[@katiesioux7757]

Stay armed, we all should

[@hungrybeastvending3590]

Most of these people are probably not even homeless just trying to get away from the crazy society, Utah is making it hard for us to live, and they support squatters taking over houses but not support squatters on public lands

[@tomc.4860]

I hate this Kindergarten Thinking of , some people misuse the land so lets Deprive everyone of the public owned lands.

[@katiesioux7757]

💯🎯

[@pawelkonarski4667]

So nicer RV-s can stay, shabby ones we chase away? WTF.

[@Dryflydrifter]

Stay there more than 14 days and you are illegal. Really not a hard concept to understand for most.

[@frankmacleod2565]

After 2 weeks and with no violations. They all have to move along

[@katiesioux7757]

💯🎯

[@Kolepto]

Remember folks it's illegal to be homeless 🤡🤡🤡

[@sgtpepperz25]

This is why the government needs to open land for homesteading, people need places to live!

[@optimalprimidius7295]

Fix the cost of housing and pricing. It's insane.

[@frankmacleod2565]

Government intervention in the free market, not likely with the incoming administration. Business likes high rents

[@ronmoore3987]

Life's what you make, don't fkn fake it

[@BenNSyder]

We can't fix the cost of housing, you need to get an education or skill. Stop giving up when you graduate High School reading below the 4th grade level

[@jeffreymalin1340]

There aint no resources

[@JeffButterworth-bm8gj]

What resources is the ranger talking about , hud housing? Big long wait and you can only own 1 vehicle.

[@davidmartin6721]

I’ve driven past that area for years and up until a year or so ago there was no one out there. Now it’s looking like California has arrived.

[@frankmacleod2565]

Funny, we have homeless Utah folks arriving here in California too

[@frankmacleod2565]

Take some responsibility for yourself

[@randiclark1]

No one likes to be homeless.

[@TheBuddy1939]

Government and people with nothing better to do decided for others what or how they should live. Shame on you. These reports pick one spot to vilify their lies. Most campers are more responsible where they camp. In my experience places that have trash are from locals dumping. If you go to a BLM site it says no dumping. Many locals dump anyway. I have cleaned up bags of garbage around my site left from obvious locals. Please disregard this report

[@Itspronouncednuclear]

I would like to see is all those people who take their campers and park it up there on the mountains in the Uintas, skyline Drive etc. leave them there all summer, and then when we go camping and try to find a spot it’s always taken by those Trailers and nothing ever happens. Everybody ignores the 14 day limit.

[@nickpeterson1422]

Spot on, 14 days is the rule. How do we report abuse and free up those spots?

[@koreyhealey3464]

We've tried to report them on several occasions on the Skyline drive area and nothing gets done. Just a lot of blah, blah, blah about educating the public better about stay limits. Good Luck.

[@perfect1150]

They will only target the underprivileged....not the self entitled.

[@timl9495]

@@koreyhealey3464 I think next time I go camping I might start taking photos of their license plates on their trailers, then sending them to BLM or the Forest Service. I am sure they can figure out who these people are and maybe a phone call to tell them either move the trailer, or get a citation, or have it towed. I am sure those storage places that tow trucks drop off cars to would love to have the extra income for daily storage on a RV?

[@scootertrash1953]

its not only the west deseret but in the unitas people take their campers up just after the snow is off and stay till late fall

[@thelifeoffastony1157]

It's sad that land of the free and home of the brave isn't free. It's also sad that the American people can't live anywhere without a time limit. It seems being homeless is illegal.

[@Dryflydrifter]

How so? Why should it be ok for people to destroy the place. If they cleaned up after themselves and moved on after 14 days it wouldn't be an issue.

[@frankmacleod2565]

Do you want them living in your yard?

[@davidmartin6721]

Public land is for everyone, not just that one person to squat on and trash it up. That’s why there’s a time limit. I’m sick and tired of picking up after these people after they’ve squatted there for months and left all their garbage behind. I should be “free” from having to do that in order to enjoy the public spaces as well.

[@Sarcasmarkus]

Not squatters, homeless people.

[@milehimagic5280]

Stop worrying about Americans, do something about illegal!!

[@jerseydevil4259]

Thank you for taking care of our public lands! People need to learn respect for the land regardless of how hard their situation may be. It’s no excuse.

[@garywilliams8741]

just like anything else..if something is free or cheap, then you have the type who WILL take advantage of ANY situation/service

[@RedLineShortFilms]

Who owns the earth? Why wouldn't it be free? Animals live on the land for free

[@mattmillburn]

Has anyone considered leaving people alone? The officer says he tries to help these people but all he has to do is leave them alone.

[@elizabethtyler3708]

How about the retired.Should they have to get a job too?

[@katiesioux7757]

They should use some of their time making people clean up the trash as opposed to ticket fees

[@timothydockery534]

I have worked on campers since 98. I have learned a few things one of the biggest things I've learned is alot of owners are Rude, there campers are dirty.

[@VivianMasters]

Everyone needs a place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of our country. Long term campers destroy our National parks. Fire danger and pollution ruin it for everyone.

[@bumponlog]

This BLM land dude not park land. Nobody's long term camping in national parks. Hell you can barely camp at all in most national parks due to such high demand.

[@VivianMasters]

@ BLM land belongs to everyone. It needs to remain safe and pristine so all can unwind and enjoy it. Put the few who choose to squat to work mitigating fire hazards and cleaning toilets.

[@JBates650]

Enforce the laws and move them on. As someone that lives in an RV full time. I see it all the time. BLM enforce the rules!

[@meganmclaughlin9056]

Ok Karen

[@orlandobabe]

Move them where? Where can they go?

[@southlakeowendrive]

@@orlandobabe That would be their problem and theirs alone.

[@nickpeterson1422]

How do we report abuse? As mentioned by many posts, there is a lot of abuse. People drop the trailer in ideal spots and stay there all summer. I'd love to know how to report it.

[@matjaquier7243]

Take pictures, plate numbers and turn them into the usfs or blm offices. They’ve put many posts up on their Facebook pages asking for the publics help.

[@tommyNix4098]

If you want to be an RV nomad you need to understand that you will have to move to another campsite every 14 days.

[@dominique___1980]

A very good in depth report. Thanks for covering multiple angles.

[@orlandobabe]

Nomads have jobs, and they go where the work takes them, or they have seasonal jobs or jobs, but their jobs don't pay them enough to live in a house or an apartment. That is one of the reasons why some people who go, nomads, travel and live a little more freely than stressed in the rat race.

[@davidcapalbo5002]

Where do they think they'll go when BLM closes the land?

[@swbuckmaster]

I saw one of those motor homes in ogden parked on the side of the road. He was draining his sewage down the storm drain catch basin.

[@matildagreene1744]

It's not just Utah..it's everywhere and will continue until property owners who rent, STOP GOUGING people. 😡🧐

[@proudhavenot]

It looks like the ranger can see a trend taking place and that they are all mostly related to our economy. Why can't he and or his supervisors publicly speak out against those creating the problem that are pushing more people into his space? It's happening all over the country, not just in this area, so ALL of those areas are being impacted. In other words, instead of just reacting to the situation, why can't that department speak out and be more proactive about the core problem? Is that too complicated for those in that space? Or, are they being pushed into a corner and not allowed to speak out?

[@randilaatsch9758]

If it is public property....how are they squatting? Squatting is what your grandaddy did for free government handouts of land ....if that were still available, we wouldn't be having this crisis. I have a pal in central Wyoming whose great grandfather "homesteaded" 196k acres....which encompass another 80~k acres of BLM.....all 100% free ...but the impoverished are the entitled ones???? Funny that with no opportunities comes desperations.

[@Apocaloptimisto]

Our government's job is to either make sure people don't get chewed up and spit out by the system, or to find ways to accommodate us when we are. There's no excuse for the garbage and dumping though. I hope they lock the litterers and tweakers up and leave the good folks alone!

[@MrBoxofplastic]

Look up Neoliberalism. The government is EMBRACING the system screwing over the middle and lower classes. So much for protection.

[@alankirkham5598]

If the federal government wasn’t in control of so much of the land throughout Utah, more citizens living in Utah could have their own home affordably.

[@cletusvandamme6262]

Bullshit. Californians, Washingtonians, Oregonians, Texans, and Easterners are at the ROOT of the problem! You must be BLIND.

[@StevePolychronopo1us]

And you think the state governments wont sell all that land to big business if the old man in ‘25 gets rid of blm land?

[@robertwestern5908]

Gee it is hard enough to live with nothing then having to move at least 30 miles think that is to far if they are keeping there spot clean let them be not everyone living in motorhome are drug attics or thieves the state collects enough taxes they could improve camp grounds along the west side of lake and other places in the state

[@margaritoamargo6347]

Many of them are not keeping the place clean and many are also on drugs and breaking the law constantly. They have to have rules for everyone not just the bad folks or they could be sued.

[@meganmclaughlin9056]

How about letting the public use public lands without harassment from law enforcement.

[@hurstontillett9455]

Your comment proves that you either know nothing about this problem or you are one of the people trashing up the public lands.

[@meganmclaughlin9056]

The logging operations and mining operations on public lands pollute and trash the land a million times more than a few messy camps. Reality. Try it.

[@meganmclaughlin9056]

Logging operations make millions off of our public lands, our trees. We don't see a dime of that.

[@thecyphercypher10101]

hobit the cypher says hi,,,,,, much love to alll keep the skills up and keep up the positive adventure, watch your 6

[@MW-jj1rn]

We cannot ignore the fact that this is happening Americans are in survival mode due to health, drugs, criminal or legal issues. I’m sure some are veterans. The state or federal government needs to take action. Utah needs to create a large septic system for RV’s to dump, avoid environmental damage. Second, give these officers Drones to patrol the area. Put up some trash areas, they will use them. People are in survival mode put our taxpayer dollars where it can impact people who want help.

[@clemsmith8799]

It is a money maker for the state, put in some make shift camping slots and a gate and charge people 1 dollar per month to camp on land that is not currently used. This 1 dollar per month would pay for a community dumpster. Eventually there will be enuff traffic to square off a town center and start selling building lots in a newly established town. This is how the west was originally settled

[@chrisallen2005]

Skids are too lazy to walk their garbage to a dumpster.

[@alh871]

Needs to be more like $1 a week, or night. Quit smoking and you got it paid .

[@BryanKale777]

What Can I Do TO Help? I Live And Travel Full Time, and LOVE BLM AND PUBLIC LAND! Hold Eachother Accountable, Keep It ClassC #USLAND

[@af31ns]

So sad....

[@TonyWeesner-ok2pp]

Underlying issues more like overlying issues like greed.Help them like you would those well off folks that don't need it.

[@kathiebauer5165]

As campers I fear more unfortunate people are forced out to rural areas. I also fear for the officers being alone in these locations. Not everyone is friendly, and travelers are not always safe just staying a night or a few days. Then there are the millions of illegals that really have no identification or resources.

[@moonbuni59]

So why not just tow the trailers that are there longer than 14 days? If one of these people the government didn’t make move on causes a wild fire who will be blamed?

[@SchneeBrian]

Addressing this comment on KUTV 2 News (Utah) at 6 p.m.

[@ladybugmom10]

Oh for heaven sake’s leave the guy alone.

[@MichaelJWhitman]

Check in at the Blue Tarp RV Park where you can dump your sewage

[@tlc7779]

Yeah let's keep picking on the homeless and not the government who don't care about any of us, except their pockets 😡😡😡😡

[@mattaylor8935]

It's because we despise the direction Society is going

[@sydnar347]

Background music is unnecessary and distracting

[@dougjenks6954]

Geez why don't you give your job to pay the bills for someone else ? Oh your good?

[@tycorbin6818]

30 miles, what bullshit..find a real jobThe law says you must move 200 feet every 14 days

[@Clawson_customs]

I think a 30 mile move is a little bit excessive. It should be 5 to 7 miles. Because on some mountain ranges here 30 miles is all the way across the mountain as is some of the desert 🏜 areas of here.

[@benjaminperez1149]

And then they’ll leave the broken down RVs there and leave. Most of them are druggies.

[@Cantsaydog]

Do you know why the government don’t give a crap about squatters they don’t have to pay for their housing takes away their play money Give them all a plane ticket to Washington DC let them live in the White House see how they like it

[@paulg492]

If you're a permanent camper don't draw attention to yourself by staying at a scenic sight. Go to a roached out area like Slab City.

[@jeffreymalin1340]

Cu the resources dont help nobodyb

[@AmericanTeacher-USA]

Forget offering "resources" - these people must find jobs. Paychecks are the only "resource" they need.

[@TrumploveEpstein]

Will you tell that to all the people collecting welfare and not working on this state?

[@TrumploveEpstein]

What about all those losers living at home not working better go tell them to get jobs too.

[@jodyyoung2726]

Many are seniors and disabled.

[@SeniorMoostacho]

I am Constantly held to the Laws of the Lands. Stop the Stupidity.

[@shawnhuff3920]

If the criminals got a career job stayed clean and sober and paying their bills and earn income and live in society right they won't have any problems 😊😊

[@chrisw6103]

I see what you're saying but you fail to see that those with mental illness just can't "get a career and live in society right". Clean and sober, yes, but everbody isn't dealt the same hand in life.

[@jodyyoung2726]

Alot of them are seniors. Just look up seniors living in cars on youtube. They are doing what they can to survive. Yes there are some druggy types but most are not.

[@ScottShedd123]

Boy are you sheltered

[@MrBoxofplastic]

You don't get it. I have a college degree, never tried hard drugs, and a 736 credit score and never been arrested. Nobody would ever know I don't live in a house or apartment. I was laid off and had too much debt from a business.

[@shawnhuff3920]

@@MrBoxofplastic so you must live in a house and live in society right .. if you graduated from college and you are not a criminal if you acquired to much det and you owe so you are hiding in a camper and not working to earn income in a career job your college degree means nothing it shows you lied about being intelligent and you run from your life and problems stupid people

[@davec5615]

The problem is BLM has been closing places like this all over the west, preventing regular RV'ers from using the public land. Its past time the Feds, city and county governments keep playing whack a mole with the homeless people. Why not set up some nearly free camping locations, like they already have for LTVA's (search LTVA camping). Then outside these areas enforce the darned rules. Tag that parked for the summer trailer, tow it in a week, then if hefty fine not paid sell it and use the cash to fund the program.

[@Shellm-r3e]

, buy yourself a piece of unrestricted land. done fixed

[@IntoTheMystery13]

Where can you buy unrestricted land 😂

[@jodyyoung2726]

the seniors cant afford it. We own our home outright but the property taxes are killing us.

[@teresaherrick1499]

Were in the hell do you want him to go they're trying to survive the resources that are there doesn't give the help what they need if you get a job you need a stable address it's ridiculous how you talk treats the homeless like that man said they're just trying to get on their feet the Mormons on the state they're sitting on 100000 billion why aren't they helping these people it's funny people don't realize they lose their job they can become homeless but they fail to see this

[@TrumploveEpstein]

You're absolutely right

[@fanofvintage]

3:01 they want to live off the grid

[@alh871]

Fun FACT, their are more non-mormons in Utah, than Mormons. --- So stop your hate ---. also, How much $ have you given to -ANY- charity ?

[@teresaherrick1499]

@alh871 hope you don't become homeless One day

[@joserosa4528]

I wonder how many are sex offenders.

[@curtisburrell8122]

These people won’t use sanitary methods. They are generally drifters and have horrible hygiene.

[@perfect1150]

Since when can anyone pass a law to tell anyone how long they can stay on public lands? It's public land....how many "law abiding" citizens are wild fire risks?

[@shawnhuff3920]

Homeless people criminals not camping 😮 the government needs to stop this 😊

[@matildagreene1744]

You are mistaken. We have the same issue in Montana on BLM land. Have you paid 2,800 rent a month with a six thousand dollar deposit lately ????????? STOP JUDGING. You know nothing.

[@TrumploveEpstein]

I always love to see a trump supporter complain about crimes when they voted for the 34 count felon. Right Shawnhuff

[@jodyyoung2726]

@@TrumploveEpstein This has nothing to do with Trump. Seek counseling...

[@TrumploveEpstein]

@@jodyyoung2726 you voted for him too. You voted for a felon who do you have a problem with them? It's s simple question

[@TrumploveEpstein]

@@jodyyoung2726 voted for a felon stop complaining about felons

[@johepple5124]

Worthless if they don’t enforce the rules, tow the junk before it all becomes junk, stop working with them-

[@meichai271]

Its just sad to see. Those places used to be pleasant!

[@BenNSyder]

*Californication!*

[@donaldball3245]

Why not just leave them alone? They're not hurting anybody. Being poor is NOT yet a prosecutable offense, as much as MAGA would like to see it become one...

[@junkman8742]

No. He actually talked about taking BLM land and making housing. Look it up

[@premix3663]

They literally start wild fires constantly, they also trash way worse than shown in this video then move onto the next spot to trash

[@donaldball3245]

@@premix3663 They are TOLD to move on. And if you gave them fire extinguishers then there'd be no more fires. They are HUMAN BEINGS, and shelter is a HUMAN RIGHT.

[@mrich9654]

Let them camp in front of your house, You can step over Feces and needles and have anything not nailed down stolen.

[@davidmecham9676]

Oh shut up. Yeah let’s just give everyone fire extinguishers and then we don’t ever have to worry about fire ever again. Also, how many homeless people have you opened up your home to? since you want to virtue signal