A day on patrol with BLM Arizona Ranger Rocco Jackson

On a recent ride-along with one of our law enforcement rangers, I was introduced to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Long-Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) located in Arizona and California. Here I found a vibrant community of nomads who call them home. Patrolling and protecting thousands of acres of public lands is a monumental challenge—one that falls on the shoulders of just three dedicated BLM rangers. For Rocco Jackson, a BLM law enforcement ranger in Yuma, Arizona, each day presents a new challenge in patrolling and managing the vast landscapes of the LTVAs and surrounding BLM-managed lands where numbers swell to between 63,000-70,000 campers during the LTVA season.

Ranger Jackson’s role is multifaceted. Each day requires prioritizing critical enforcement needs while maintaining a visible presence across the landscape. On any given day, he might be monitoring fee compliance, responding to public safety concerns, and coordinating with local law enforcement agencies—all while ensuring that volunteers and visitors alike have the resources they need for a safe and enjoyable experience.

I met with Ranger Jackson at the La Posa South LTVA contact station and transferred into his vehicle for the ride-along. Our first stop was a campsite reported as an issue by park rangers. Along the way, we also responded to a complaint about an abandoned vehicle. When we arrived, the owner was in the process of removing it. Ranger Jackson gathered the owner’s information and noted the date to check back before continuing to the reported site. 

The site was heavily trashed: too many vehicles crowded the area and a dumpsite that would have filled several truckloads had formed. Ranger Jackson carefully approached and made contact with the camper. Andre Han, a park ranger, arrived a few minutes later. After an extensive discussion, the camper was given a five-day time frame to remove the extra vehicles and dumpsite. 

Patrolling the entire region is a formidable task.

Despite the immense scale of the LTVAs, which include the 3,500-acre Imperial Dam LTVA and the 11,400-acre La Posa LTVA, the reality is that most patrols are conducted solo. Even with coordinated schedules, rangers like Jackson often find themselves covering vast areas, making quick response times to incidents a true challenge.

At times, the team will conduct group patrols, where two or three rangers cover multiple sites simultaneously. However, due to differing responsibilities and unpredictable demands, these joint patrols happen at most once a month. More often than not, Ranger Jackson covers large portions of the LTVA alone, relying on volunteers and local law enforcement partners such as Quartzsite Police Department (PD) and the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office for additional support.

“When we do need backup, Quartzsite PD and the county sheriff are called in and we back them up as well,” said Ranger Jackson.

This collaboration is especially crucial in cases involving property damage, public disturbances, or safety violations. 

Near the end of his shift, Ranger Jackson was taking me back to my vehicle when we were called by the La Paz County Sherriff to assist with a contact in the Ehrenberg area. There we found a couple who had been squatting for several months. The contact became confrontational, but de-escalated as officers maintained a calm demeanor. The couple was instructed to vacate. 

From there, we traveled a short distance to another long-term squat. This interaction was much more amicable, with the campers negotiating for time to leave. At this point, we began photographing vehicles and documenting trash buildup. 

While conducting the inventory, La Paz County deputies were called to an assault complaint at the LTVA, and we raced over to assist. We arrived alongside another La Paz County Deputy and an Arizona State Trooper. When approached by officers, the camper involved became belligerent. Due to previous complaints, the camper was placed under arrest. He resisted and was restrained before being placed in a La Paz County vehicle. 

With a career spanning more than 15 years with the U.S. Forest Service before joining BLM in 2021, Ranger Jackson brings a wealth of experience to his role. However, the scale of his patrol area remains one of the most significant challenges.

Beyond law enforcement duties, rangers also manage camping compliance, waste disposal, and resource conservation. With thousands of visitors using the LTVAs throughout the season, monitoring and maintaining public facilities is a constant effort.

One ongoing issue is water and waste management. Each LTVA site provides water access and dump stations, but visitors from non-permitted areas sometimes use these facilities improperly. With limited personnel to monitor after-hours use, enforcement can be difficult.

Similarly, while trash collection is designated for LTVA permit holders, some individuals from neighboring areas use the sites improperly, leading to overflow and maintenance challenges. These are issues that rangers must navigate while balancing visitor services and resource protection.

Fee compliance is another key component of Ranger Jackson’s job. Visitors staying at LTVAs must display proper permits, and while most campers follow the rules, there are always exceptions.

“Last year, we got about 90% compliance, which is a big deal,” said Ranger Jackson. “That’s a great number, but the reality is that it takes a lot of work to keep it that way.”

With dozens of remote camping spots spread across the area, ensuring that every vehicle is properly permitted is a logistical challenge. RVs and trailers often look similar, making it difficult to spot violations at a glance.

“We’re not out looking to write tickets,” clarified Ranger Jackson. “We’re trying to get people to correct the issue. Sometimes that means explaining the rules, sometimes it’s just a matter of reminding them.”

Repeat offenders require stronger enforcement measures, but for the most part, education and engagement go a long way in maintaining compliance.

Despite the logistical challenges, Ranger Jackson remains committed to the mission. Every day is a test of endurance, adaptability, and dedication. Without rangers like Jackson, these public lands would face unchecked misuse, jeopardizing their future accessibility for all.

The BLM’s dedicated stewardship, delivered through the committed efforts of rangers like Jackson, ensures these areas remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for visitors.