Attempted break-in (Again)

[adi]

You know what... I dont get it.. how does a plain white construction van have more stealth than a nice family looking hightop conversion?<br><br>Unless your always parked at industrial areas...?<br><br>Or at least my urban setting seems to intuit that.<br>I don't think parking a white "doggy groom" van on these streets will work.<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>Oh... and steve... Haha... <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

<br><br>In my residential neighborhood with HOA/etc, my plain white cargo van is one of 8-10. There are more cargo vans than conversion vans even. One is even an undercover sheriff vehicle <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>In my experience, a conversion van not parked in a driveway means someone is sleeping in it. It's going to be different based on what city you're in, and what part of the city, but for me, conversion vans always draw my attention outside of a neighborhood. <br><br><br>And for the haz-mat, given some people's plan for waste handling, some wouldn't get in trouble for pretending to be one <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">There's no blanket answer for what is stealthy and safe.&nbsp; It varies so much from neighborhood to neighborhood and state to state.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I do use "stealth magnets" when I want to be incognito... The bike rack comes off and magnetic signs go on the sides of the van.&nbsp; They have a picture of a wrench and read "Farm and City Handyman Service"...&nbsp; When out of town, I'll park it at Home Depot (or just about anywhere else) for an afternoon nap.&nbsp;&nbsp; Overnight, it's nice to use a shared parking lot behind a small town strip of connected buildings along "main street"...&nbsp; Nobody knows what vehicle belongs to what person.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Security is so dependent on each area.&nbsp; In Iowa there are far more safe areas than unsafe, even when parking a van that looks like it might have tools.&nbsp; In a big city, I can see where it could be a target for crackheads, thieves, etc.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">My biggest fear is the nosy neighbor that might call it in if staying in a neighborhood.&nbsp; One of the places I'm going to stealth camp this weekend is in a college down.&nbsp; It's a good way to be invisible.&nbsp; There are too many drunk kids around for anyone to notice a quietly parked vehicle.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I trust the instincts but am finding sometimes I worry too much... Never had a problem yet...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">VT</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Trust your instincts.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>VT</p>

 

[Ricekila]

Speaking of thieves and the city --

A few years ago I worked for Autozone as their Long Island Building Maintenance Supervisor --

When I went through Queens / Brooklyn / Bronx - when I stopped for a light -- I would hear someone trying to open the side or rear door's -- a "Snatch & Grab" and kids to cheap to take the bus.

I put a rear view camera and wired it to be on when the van was running - not just reverse.

Side benefit - when I parked in my yard - my other Radio Shack Swan brand - wireless monitor - picked up the van camera's signal.

I really lucked out with that -- it rotated between the camera looking at the vette / van camera and the moron across the street - his was pointing down his drive-way --- but has a great view if the front of my house ---

Paranoid ---- I think not --