Burning Man Update: The Jack Rabbit Speaks
Volume 17, Issue #34 LAW ENFORCEMENT
August 2, 2013
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INTRODUCTION
LAW ENFORCEMENT AT BURNING MAN:
+ WHAT AGENCIES PATROL THE EVENT?
+ SPECIFIC LAWS TO BE AWARE OF IN 2013
+ LAW ENFORCEMENT OUTSIDE THE EVENT SITE
+ FOOD SAFETY & THE NEVADA STATE HEALTH DIVISION
+ THE BLACK ROCK RANGERS
+ PLEASE RESPECT LAW ENFORCEMENT - ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING
+ INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS IN THE US
+ FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONNECT WITH BURNING MAN:
Burning Man on your favorite social networks
ADMINISTERRATA:
Want to unsubscribe from the JRS? Really? OK, here's how: http://bit.ly/nxU8Gz
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While Burning Man is certainly a remote and freewheeling place, it's also a
functioning metropolis. And just like in any other city, numerous law
enforcement agencies patrol Black Rock City day and night to keep the city safe
and compliant with the laws that allow us to have the event in the first place.
This JRS topic is extremely important: all Federal, State and Local laws still
exist at Burning Man. Any illegal action can lead to a citation (more common)
or your arrest (rare). Law enforcement officers have a difficult yet important
job, both on and off the playa. Please respect the valuable work that they do.
It is the duty of all law enforcement personnel to enforce the law, and they
are there to help protect our citizenry.
Finally, a huge thanks to the unsung heroes of Burning Man -- our Government
Relations and Legal team, who did the hard work to compile all this valuable
information for YOU. Hats off!
The Man burns in 26 days!
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WHAT AGENCIES PATROL THE EVENT?
Officers from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Pershing County
Sheriff’s office (PSCO) patrol Black Rock City and the surrounding Black Rock
Desert to enforce federal, state and local laws. This year BLM and Pershing
County will be working under a single integrated command, meaning they will
share a dispatch system and ride together in vehicles with logos and officers
from both agencies.
Also new for 2013 will be Law Enforcement Camp next to the Black Rock Ranger
Station on the Esplanade near 6:00. This is for all of your law enforcement
needs — you can report a crime, fill out paperwork for a stolen camera, or just
say “Hi” and “Thank You” to the officers who work around the clock to keep
Black Rock City safe.
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SPECIFIC LAWS TO BE AWARE OF IN 2013
We'll say it again: it is important to remember that all Federal, State and
Local laws still exist in and around Black Rock City.
CHILD SAFETY IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE IN BLACK ROCK CITY.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of
their children. Please be forewarned that in the past parents have been
arrested at Burning Man for failing to keep their children under their
supervision. We know that you want your children to be safe. We also know that
you don’t want to be arrested. Furthermore, we know that you don’t want to do
anything that would jeopardize families being allowed to attend Burning Man. So
please help spread the word that child safety is of the utmost importance.
THE POSSESSION, USE AND TRAFFICKING OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES AND PARAPHERNALIA IS
PROHIBITED. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS
AND THE STATE OF NEVADA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS FROM OTHER
STATES. Nevada has some of the strictest drug trafficking laws in the country.
Even gifting a small amount of illegal substance can be considered trafficking.
You have been warned! You could be issued a citation, arrested or both.
IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 TO CONSUME ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. If
you are gifting drinks, please be sure to check the age of anyone who does not
look 21. Ask for ID. If you are planning to drink - as in any city, town, or
event - please carry your ID in a safe and secure location. If you are under
21, please feel free to explore and engage in all the magic and wonder that
Black Rock City has to offer, as long as you do it according to the law,
alcohol-free and under the supervision of your parent or guardian. Parents &
Guardians, it is YOUR responsibility to supervise your children.
NO OPEN CONTAINERS IN VEHICLES. The only exception is for Mutant Vehicles being
operated with a valid BRC DMV sticker in Black Rock City. This does NOT include
Gate Road. And the container must NOT be in the driver’s compartment or within
arm’s reach of the driver.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS ILLEGAL. It is also unsafe. Don’t do it!
TRAFFIC LAWS ARE ENFORCED ON GATE ROAD. The purpose of Gate Road is to get you
in and out of the city SAFELY! We know you have traveled long and far and you
finally want to be HOME. But until you are past the Greeters Station you’re not
quite there yet. When you’re on Gate Road it is not the time to make cocktails
and get on the roof of your vehicle. Gate Road is dusty with low visibility and
a lot of traffic. Law Enforcement will be enforcing traffic laws to ensure that
all 60+ thousand of us get in and out without accidents. Drive safely and mind
the rules of the road. Make sure your vehicle has working taillights, brake
lights and valid license plates that are visible. Use headlights at night, and
drive safely! Wait until you receive your official sticker from DMV before
allowing your vehicle to fully mutate into the bar car, public taxi or art that
it is meant to be. Headlights and taillights on art cars will also be monitored
while on playa.
CARRY A DRIVER’S LICENSE WHEN OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE. This goes for Gate
Road as well as in Black Rock City. What constitutes a motor vehicle? Pretty
much any vehicle with a motor (including golf carts) with the exception of
stand up motorized scooters (yes, that means art cars too!).
DRIVING IS PROHIBITED. Remember that once you arrive at your campsite, driving
is prohibited except for DMV-licensed Mutant Vehicles.
DRIVE SAFELY. This includes no speeding.
NO LEWD OR LASCIVIOUS BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC. Yes, we know that “public space” is
hard to define in Black Rock City. Use common sense. Do you really want to have
to tell your friends and family that you got arrested for having sex in public?
Our research indicates that simply being nude is not against the law. However,
lewd and lascivious behavior in public is illegal. Again, act responsibly.
Also, be aware of your surroundings. Be extremely mindful of families with
children who are part of our community.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT IS PROHIBITED. No fighting, violence or threats. Also, do
not obstruct, resist or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer. And do not
fail to follow their orders or directions.
FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED. Our Pyro Team will make sure you get to see fireworks
when the Man burns. So leave it to the professionals. For everyone else — leave
your fireworks at home.
NO WEAPONS! Weapons are illegal in Black Rock City. Don’t bring them. Period.
For more information see:
BLM's 2013 Burning Man Temporary Closure Order, which has all of BLM’s
temporary restrictions for the Burning Man event:
http://burningman.com/media/doc/pdf/blm_stipulations/2013_closure_order.pdf
For the Closure Order Map, click here:
http://burningman.com/media/doc/pdf/blm_stipulations/2013_closure_order_map.pdf
Burning Man 2013 Survival Guide:
http://survival.burningman.com/
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LAW ENFORCEMENT OUTSIDE THE EVENT SITE
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office can also be found close at hand, primarily
patrolling the nearby town of Gerlach. They wear green uniforms, and are
concerned mainly with keeping the traffic moving and ensuring that Burning Man
participants respect local citizens' privacy and property. Please be sure that
all head and tail lights on your vehicle are working properly, your
registration is up-to-date, and your license plate is clearly visible, to avoid
an unscheduled stop on your way to the playa.
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FOOD SAFETY & THE NEVADA STATE HEALTH DIVISION
In order to fight the threat of food-borne illness on the playa, the Nevada
State Health Division (NSHD) has requirements for camps preparing food
including the need of a health permit and an inspection. You must apply for and
be permitted as a Temporary Food Establishment by the NSHD if:
* You wish to share, cook or serve food or non-alcoholic beverages to the
general Burning Man population (gifting food).
* You will be cooking or serving food to large groups of more than 125* FELLOW
CAMPERS of your theme camp on a consistent basis.
(If you have a communal kitchen shared by 125 or more campers, but meals are
prepared individually, or in smaller quantities than for 125 persons, a permit
is not required, however we highly recommend you research and review safe food
handling practices, starting with the Nevada Division of Health information).
For further information and permitting process:
http://bit.ly/14lxJJV
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THE BLACK ROCK RANGERS
The Black Rock Rangers are Burning Man participants who volunteer time and
effort as non-confrontational community mediators. Responding to the
continuously evolving nature of the event, Rangers are usually the first to
address situations within the community that would otherwise require outside
intervention, aiding in the prevention of escalation. By encouraging and
facilitating communication, the Rangers promote awareness of potential hazards,
from sunstroke to tent fires.
Black Rock Rangers are not law enforcement personnel. They are members of the
Burning Man community, just like you. You can identify them by their
khaki-colored attire, featuring the familiar Burning Man logo in brown on their
backs and chests. You should feel free to request their assistance at any time
for any emergencies or questions. They can dispatch law enforcement or
emergency medical professionals if necessary.
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PLEASE RESPECT LAW ENFORCEMENT - ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING
Law enforcement is as necessary in Black Rock City as it is everywhere else.
The event could not happen without the valuable work that the various law
enforcement agencies perform. Please respect law enforcement as integral
members of our community. If you are stopped by law enforcement for questioning
please comport yourself responsibly. Failure to follow instructions could lead
to your arrest.
Black Rock City, LLC would like to thank all law enforcement agencies in and
around Black Rock City for their many years of ongoing cooperative effort. The
law enforcement presence at Burning Man is for public safety. They provide
numerous instances of invaluable services for the good of the community, as
public servants. We all have jobs to do, whether patrolling the streets of
Black Rock or sliding down a giant wedge of astro-turf. So, why don't we try to
get along? Let's respect one another on the playa and practice a little of that
radical inclusion we keep talking about.
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INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS IN THE US
Quick facts for foreign visitors about driving in the United States:
1. An International Driving Permit (IDP) translates information contained on
your driver's license into 10 languages so that officials in foreign countries
are able to interpret your license. An IDP supplements a valid
government-issued license--it does not serve as a replacement for a license. If
you are stopped by law enforcement, you will most likely be asked to produce
both your IDP and your official driver's license. The United States does NOT
issue International Driving Permits to foreign visitors, so you will need to
obtain this document before traveling to the U.S.
2. If you are going to reside in the U.S., you can get a U.S. driver's license
once you are in the U.S., but it may take several months to obtain a U.S.
driver's license.
3. Foreign visitors who become U.S. residents can only obtain a driver's
license from the state in which they reside (not from the federal government).
Each state has its own driving rules and regulations. Check with your state's
motor vehicles department to find out how to apply.
4. Once you receive your U.S. driver's license from a state motor vehicles
department, you will be permitted to drive in all other U.S. states. The laws
in each state vary from one to another. It is your responsibility to know and
obey the laws of that state while driving.
5. The residency requirement for obtaining a U.S. driver's license varies with
each state. Consult the motor vehicles department in your state for more
information.
6. If you are a foreign student coming to the U.S. to study, contact the
university or college you will attend, as most institutions provide students
with additional driving information.
7. The U.S. government has issued warnings about Internet vendors of worthless
international driver's licenses/permits. It is important to educate yourself
about the dangers of these costly and illegal operations. See International
Driver's License Warning from Federal Trade Commission.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
LIBERTY LOUNGE: ACLU AT FALSE IDOL & 5:20 (NEAR KIDSVILLE)
Do you want to learn more about your civil rights — both in Black Rock City and
the default world? Stop by the Liberty Lounge from 2 PM to 6 PM daily where the
ACLU of Nevada will be available to answer your questions.
Know Your Rights: The ACLU publishes a guide on What To Do If You're Stopped by
Police on the ACLU website at:
http://www.aclu.org/files/assets/bustcard_eng_20100630.pdf
Know Your Rights Videos: Flex Your Rights offers DVDs on how to behave if
stopped by law enforcement on their website at:http://www.flexyourrights.org/
... and free on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/user/FlexYourRights
Please note, however, that the ACLU guide and the Flex Your Rights video are
geared more for a law enforcement stop that could lead to an arrest; whereas
most stops in Black Rock City are more about warnings and citations. Use common
sense when deciding how to comport yourself.
LAWYERS FOR BURNERS
If you were arrested or cited at Burning Man and are interested in better
understanding your legal options, then Lawyers For Burners is a resource
available to you. LFB is run by volunteers in the Burning Man community to help
you better understand how to navigate your options.
Visit: http://www.lawyersforburners.com
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{===CONNECT WITH BURNING MAN===}
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The Burning Man Regional Network - connect with Burners in your hometown:
http://regionals.burningman.com
Visit our own Lyceum and engage with published authors, bloggers and thinkers
in and around the Burning Man community as they observe and comment on our
culture and like-minded cultures around the world:
http://blog.burningman.com
The Official Burning Man Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/burningman
Official Burning Man Twitter Account - All Things Burning Man:
http://www.twitter.com/burningman
Black Rock City Twitter Account - All Things BRC:
http://www.twitter.com/blackrockcity
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