Rainbow Family a Public Nuisance

I told you about the Rainbow Family exercising their rights to gather on public land, and the mini crime wave after the Gathering 2004.

The 2004 Rainbow Family Gathering cost local government more than $164,000 and stretched resources dangerously thin, according to a Modoc County report that offers tips for the Rainbows' next "unlucky" hosts. As for the local economy, most restaurants, gas stations and motels told county officials that theft, vandalism and increased staffing offset any spike in business.

Rainbows run up big bill--2004 event cost more than $164,000

By Alex Breitler, Record Searchlight
December 23, 2004

ALTURAS -- Last summer's eclectic Rainbow Family gathering cost local government more than $164,000 and stretched resources dangerously thin, according to a Modoc County report that offers tips for the Rainbows' next "unlucky" hosts.

The gathering angered Modoc County Sheriff Bruce Mix, who said he was forced to ignore thousands of felony drug violations due to a lack of manpower and money. "It was extremely frustrating and unfair to our local population," Mix wrote in the report, filed recently with the Board of Supervisors.

The county received U.S. Forest Service and law enforcement grants totaling about $70,000 to help offset its costs, but the actual amount expended exceeded the grands.

Last summer's Rainbow Family gathering left Modoc County officials with anything but a pot of gold. Here are some of the costs they reported and other highlights of the event, which attracted 19,000 people:

• Law enforcement from Modoc and other counties spent $81,927 on patrols, fuel, repairs, equipment, food and lodging.

• Modoc Medical Center spent $45,000 on care for the poor and needy.

• The total amount spent by county governments was estimated at $164,131.

• Officers made 23 arrests, fire officials responded to 14 calls, mental health officials evaluated six people and Child Protective Services removed one minor.

But Mix criticized the federal government for its lack of regulations to control the freethinking Rainbows, who have no leaders and invite "anyone with a bellybutton" to their yearly mass celebrations and campouts.

The Forest Service says the group has a right to assemble on public lands and that the county and federal governments worked well together to minimize any problems.

"That was one of the more positive things," Modoc National Forest spokeswoman Nancy Gardner said Friday. She said the 2004 gathering went smoother than the last one there, in 1984, which produced a string of burglaries and other crimes.

County officials say large groups should be required to notify the Forest Service at least six months in advance and complete a permit with an environmental impact study.

Rainbows shy away from such rules and regulations. They didn't announce this year's location -- the rugged mountains southeast of Alturas -- until about June 10. That was less than a month before 19,000 Rainbows swarmed to Modoc County and tripled its population for a few days.

The county didn't have much time to prepare.

"It's ridiculous," county Chief Administrative Officer Mike Maxwell said Wednesday.

"I believe that this group intentionally targets small rural areas ... for this exact reason," Mix wrote. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Twenty-three arrests were reported. A participant in the gathering beat a motorist with a shovel for driving too fast. Also, a Rainbow was killed in a traffic accident on the way home.

Patrols alone cost Modoc County law enforcement $30,000. Nine other agencies -- including the Shasta, Tehama and Siskiyou sheriff's departments -- spent nearly that amount contributing officers who, on top of salaries, required about $5,000 for food and lodging.

Total law enforcement costs topped $81,000, Mix said. It was unclear how much federal money was spent.

Other departments racked up bills as well. The tiny Likely Fire Department was called to the gathering 14 times -- more calls than it had received the previous six months. Medics traveled more than an hour on a winding dirt road to reach their patients.

County public health officials visited three to five times a week, checking water supplies and toilet trenches, and distributing toothbrushes, mouthwash, soap, lotion, sunscreen, diapers and condoms.

The Public Health Department spent $10,304 in salaries, benefits and mileage, with $2,550 spent on medical supplies.

Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, the nearest hospital, accrued $45,000 in unpaid health care for the poor and needy. Officials called that a "significant burden" for such a small facility.

But there was an upside.

Besides the federal money it received to help cope with the gathering, the county was given the chance to mobilize much like it would during an emergency.

"Although this was an unplanned and to some an unwelcome event, it did provide the county with the opportunity to test our preparedness plans and resources," wrote public health official Linda Doyle.

Both Mix and Doyle criticized Forest Service personnel. Mix said the federal government ignored concerns over nearby burial grounds, which American Indians feared would be disturbed.

Doyle wrote that federal law enforcement officers were "confrontational and antagonistic" toward the Rainbows, and noted that the federal team's perspective was "somewhat skewed and very negative." Mix, however, said all public officials acted professionally.

The Forest Service praised Rainbows for staying at the camp for weeks after the gathering to clean up.

As for the local economy, most restaurants, gas stations and motels told county officials that theft, vandalism and increased staffing offset any spike in business.

Merchants were, however, pleased about the 70 to 80 Forest Service officials who spent three weeks or more staying in Alturas motels and eating at restaurants, the report says.

While most locals told county officials they'd just as soon the Rainbow Family not return, the Forest Service team "could come back any time."

Reporter Alex Breitler can be reached at 225-8344 or at [email protected].

Comments

[Ralph E.]

I would like to say that I have been to three Annual Gatherings of the Tribes of the Rainbow Family of Living Light. I have heard a couple of times that some small towns appreciate the business because they have never made so much money before until a Gathering was near. Also, please don't judge a group of people by the acts of some bad apples. Alot of us have jobs. I worked on an at-sea processor in Alaskan waters offand on for seven years. The hardest contract on that ship was my first. We worked about 37 days straight, 16 hour a days, seven days a week .I've seen people who could only last three days of work on our ship just to have to use any money earned to help pay their flight.I was happy because I was getting 100+ hours per week. That 37 days was just the first part of that contract. Anyways, at least there are taxes to help pay for things. Anyone who steals should be called a "Drainbow".

[deadhead]

" Law enforcement from Modoc and other counties spent $81,927 on patrols, fuel, repairs, equipment, food and lodging." If the government would let us be then they wouldnt have to spend tax dollars on police officers on horses.