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| So I live on a quiet, suburban cul-de-sac and; there's a strange car parked out front | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 22 2009, 07:52 AM (597 Views) | |
| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 07:52 AM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Keep in mind that last year we caught a criminal when a strange car parked on our street. The car parked late at night and my next-door-neighbor, who doesn't sleep b/c of menopause, saw a man get out of the car. She didn't recognize the car (it didn't belong to any of the families, or their college kids) so she called the police. The police drove by and sure enough, the owner of the car was committing small burglaries in the neighborhood (stealing from unlocked cars, garages, etc.) They were able to ascertain his identity from the plates of his car and was later arrested (drug addict looking for stuff to sell). So this is the kind of street that I live on. A new car drives up, and we know it. People don't really even drive into our neighborhood, let alone our street, b/c it's not a cross-through for anywhere. So there's a car parked in front of my house right now. They have a sign on their dash board, so I snuck out to read it. As I approached, I saw a woman with a clip board sitting in the driver's seat so I panicked and pretended like I was putting something in my mailbox. Didn't get to read the sign. She's been there for about an hour. Still sitting there. (I think it's a she). Just one person. My neighbor across the street is out of town so I'm keeping an extra eye on her house. I"d kind of like to leave to run some errands. What would you do? |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| Pianolicious | Apr 22 2009, 07:54 AM Post #2 |
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Senior Carp
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I would take a picture or two and politely go out and ask the person if they were lost. You might mention that there have been some burglaries in the neighborhood. |
| Sit tibi vita longa et omnia bona!!! -- Dr. Spock | |
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| Larry | Apr 22 2009, 07:55 AM Post #3 |
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
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Call the police. Even if she's there legitimately, just sitting in her car for an hour like that is strange enough behavior to justify concern. |
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Of the Pokatwat Tribe | |
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| brenda | Apr 22 2009, 07:57 AM Post #4 |
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I've done this: I go out and ask them, "You look kind of lost. Need any help?" Maybe you won't want to do that if you are alone, but if it's broad daylight and someone knows you are going out and can watch you with a phone handy, then I say go for it. I've done it even when I'm alone, but then I'm scary, so nobody messes with me. ![]() |
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 07:58 AM Post #5 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I already snapped two pictures with my cell phone. I can't get the driver's license plate from this angle. You really think I should call the police? Maybe you're right. If they're legit, they should understand, right? |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| brenda | Apr 22 2009, 07:59 AM Post #6 |
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I like PL's pic idea. |
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 08:00 AM Post #7 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Our street is very quiet during the day. I might be the only one home right now. I may go put something else in the mail box and snag a picture of the plate with my cell phone. Sometimes I think people make the mistake of thinking they can park on a cul-de-sac and be out of the way and go unnoticed. Nothing is more obvious than a strange car parking on a cul-de-sac for a while. |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| brenda | Apr 22 2009, 08:01 AM Post #8 |
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If she's been there for an hour, yeah, call the police to have them ask her some questions. |
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 08:02 AM Post #9 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I'll give her 15 minutes and then I'll call the police. I wish I could read the sign. Maybe I"ll look for some binoculars.... |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| Mark | Apr 22 2009, 08:02 AM Post #10 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Do some Open Carry exercises! Oh wait, you don't live in Wisconsin.
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___.___ (_]===* o 0 When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 08:15 AM Post #11 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Still there. |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| Pianolicious | Apr 22 2009, 08:16 AM Post #12 |
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Senior Carp
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Sounds like the X Files. Is she chain smoking? |
| Sit tibi vita longa et omnia bona!!! -- Dr. Spock | |
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| George K | Apr 22 2009, 08:16 AM Post #13 |
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Finally
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I think Quagmire is done with his surveillance camera. Perhaps you could borrow.... |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 08:17 AM Post #14 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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She can probably see me through my window.
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| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| brenda | Apr 22 2009, 08:18 AM Post #15 |
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Call and get the cops there so she doesn't decide this is a good place for naps or whatever she's doing. If she leaves before they show up, she may decide to use this as a regular stop for her activities, whatever they are. It smells fishy. |
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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| Pianolicious | Apr 22 2009, 08:18 AM Post #16 |
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Senior Carp
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post a picture of the car here. |
| Sit tibi vita longa et omnia bona!!! -- Dr. Spock | |
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| Mikhailoh | Apr 22 2009, 08:22 AM Post #17 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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I think you're overreacting. She might just be killing time in a quiet place. Or she's a private detective checking up on Or maybe a double-naught spy. You never know. Does she wear a rope belt? |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Pianolicious | Apr 22 2009, 08:23 AM Post #18 |
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Senior Carp
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You could try a 3rd party question that makes you look like an innocent bystander. It works like this: "Hello. My neighbor is older and homebound and her house recently got broken into after a car like yours was parked in the neighborhood. She just called and asked me to check on you to see if you needed directions or something. I don't mean to intrude, but my neighbor never really recovered from the pistol whipping. Is there anything I could help you with?" That way, you're not being the nosy one. You're only being nosy by proxy. |
| Sit tibi vita longa et omnia bona!!! -- Dr. Spock | |
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| Pianolicious | Apr 22 2009, 08:24 AM Post #19 |
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Senior Carp
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and try to make it look like you are coming out of your neighbor's house. |
| Sit tibi vita longa et omnia bona!!! -- Dr. Spock | |
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| PattyP | Apr 22 2009, 08:25 AM Post #20 |
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Senior Carp
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I'd march right up to the car and ask her what she's doing parked in front of my house. It's your neighborhood, your home. Go get her, Rosemary! But then, I live in a very small community where the worst criminal act has been a barking dog. So maybe calling the police is a better idea.
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A tired dog is a good dog. "Dogs' lives are too short...their only fault, really." A.S. Turnbull | |
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| Pianolicious | Apr 22 2009, 08:25 AM Post #21 |
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Senior Carp
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| Sit tibi vita longa et omnia bona!!! -- Dr. Spock | |
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| Kincaid | Apr 22 2009, 08:25 AM Post #22 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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I'd call the police. They'll swing by just to check it out and will talk to her. That will be that. |
| Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006. | |
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| brenda | Apr 22 2009, 08:27 AM Post #23 |
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Not overreacting at all, just being aware and cautious. This is what neighborhood watch groups are all about. We each know our own neighborhoods best, even better than the police usually. |
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“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
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| Frank_W | Apr 22 2009, 08:46 AM Post #24 |
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Resident Misanthrope
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I don't know... I'd just go out and ask her if she needs help, and (PL's idea) say that your elderly neighbor called you and asked if you would check, and said that she might be calling the police. No matter what the person's intention is, they will be on their way. |
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Anatomy Prof: "The human body has about 20 sq. meters of skin." Me: "Man, that's a lot of lampshades!" | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Apr 22 2009, 08:47 AM Post #25 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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She drove off. If she returns, I'll let you all know. I'll keep my photo on my cell phone.... |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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It's your neighborhood, your home.

6:05 AM Jul 11