My First Law Enforcement Encounter

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4GNomad

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My first encounter with law enforcement since owning the van. Pretty comedic, actually.

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Rule #1 when dealing with LEO.  

Convince them you are not a threat.

Mission accomplished.
 
I burst out laughing as soon as you mentioned the shirt. Thanks for that, definitely needed it.
 
I've had two law enforcement encounters already in my first ~6 weeks. I was polite to both and said I'd just like to park here if that's alright, "I don't seem to be in anybody's way." They both agreed I was in nobody's way, and that there were no parking enforcement rules where I was, and they were both polite to me in turn. Both wanted to know if there was anyone else in the vehicle with me. Yes, my girlfriend, each time. The first officer wanted to see our IDs. The second didn't. Each said he was just checking and left me alone.

I guess a camper van stands out more than a window van, anywhere outside a campground. I think the police just wanted to make sure I wasn't cooking meth or dumping bodies. I don't foresee any real trouble.
 
Most LEO's only want a nice peaceful shift so they can go home to their families.  

A smile and a pleasant attitude, goes a long way.
 
In the 3+ years I full-timed in the van I never had a single police encounter. Only once have I had a knock on the door in the middle of the night (I ignored it and he left after a few failed attempts trying to see in the windows).

What are you guys (and gals?) doing that you are being looked at so much? I didn't "stealth" and my van is far from stealthy (awning, stickers, window coverings, etc... so it is not like I was hiding at all. Seem to have a lot of encounters.
 
I too, in the almost three years that I have been living in my van have had no encounter with any police. I look, and my vehicle looks exactly what I am doing. I am traveling and camping in my van!
 
Statistics, someone is bound to have encounters. We'll hear from the one's that do each time. But won't hear much from the one's that don't every day.
 
ha ha ha cookie monster. on a more serious note, you are doing more sunset movies and not sharing with us. for shame, the last one you posted was great. highdesertranger
 
Van-Tramp said:
In the 3+ years I full-timed in the van I never had a single police encounter. Only once have I had a knock on the door in the middle of the night (I ignored it and he left after a few failed attempts trying to see in the windows).

What are you guys (and gals?) doing that you are being looked at so much? I didn't "stealth" and my van is far from stealthy (awning, stickers, window coverings, etc... so it is not like I was hiding at all. Seem to have a lot of encounters.

The secret is that you don't have a cargo van.  When I had a cargo van, it was hassle city.  With a window van, nobody cares.
 
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