Re: Merchant of DCHS, is he also a hero?

When the peaceful citizens of DCHS are physically threatened by an out of control individual at the hotsprings, help is far far away. It is only recently that cell phones can reach the government agencies who are to respond to these emergencies. When people's lives are at immediate threat there really is no choice but to try to protect those lives, even if that means physical force.

From what I heard of about the incident, it was one of those situations.

However, I have clearly expressed that I do not approve of vigilante justice meted out by citizens. That is what we have had in the Deep Creek area for at least a decade with Mike Castro enforcing the laws and regulations in the area with the tacit approval of the USFS, BLM and SBSD.

I think it is commonly known that there is very little law enforcement presence in the area. Who are the agencies who have the responsibility for law enforcement in the area? They rarely come up there. Just like at the Mojave River Dam, the authorities admitted that they did not have the resources to provide law enforcement for the area. That place is closed.

I was disappointed to learn of the Merchant of DCHS's behavior at the springs, the selling of food and alcoholic beverages, camping out, monopolizing the shady spot, etc. The USFS and all did act appropriately in the removal of the Merchant of DCHS.