Headache
Well-known member
After doing this for 5 months I thought I'd share it as an alternative for urban campers who for whatever reason, have to stay urban.
I got stuck originally via medical emergency in a town that is kind of hoity-toity. They have no social safety nets of any permanence and the way this town is they know you're on their streets within the first week of you being here. And for anyone that's ever seen my van I'm not exactly stealthy but since I'm not afraid to be this way, no biggie.
Anyway, at almost a year in to parking in the same industrial area I heard a knock at the drivers window and peared out to see a man standing there in clothes that identified a repair shop down the street. Turns out he was the owner and was having issues with theft and vandalism and since we parked on the street all the time, would I be interested in parking overnight in front of his shop.
Damn straight I was!
We discussed expectations and I'll tell you right now, I'm thrilled. I'm definitely NOT stealthy by any sense of the word so it was going to be really obvious I'm there.
Not one theft or vandalism since we started parking there in early January.
Terms we agreed on:
Parking in the evening usually by 10pm but we've gotten along so well I've occasionally parked there before business was done and he's always been happy to see us. It's a plus I used to wrench so I get the lowdown on the cars he's working on.
I usually leave before business starts each day but once or twice I was kind of late getting up and got invited in for coffee. We've gotten to use the bathroom, microwave and ice maker as well as wash dishes.
We are not to confront perps. He hoped and so far it's working that just our presence would deter maliciousness. We are only to call 911 for law enforcement.
Added and unexpected bonus; I buy the parts and he's been doing repairs on my van free of labor. I didn't ask for that but he was so thrilled to be able to sleep at night that he offered. He's also offered to look for other vehicles, even RVs that might match my price so we aren't so cramped but I don't want to pay for another registration.
It's a win/win. So much so that a shop down the street has a guy in his trailer parked in their parking lot on the weekends now. I think he works at the warehouse next door because he's parked in front of that during the week. Plus my fiance can walk to work.
We're not in a high crime area but the industrial area gets picked on a lot. Now the neighborhood is even quieter. The businesses on each side of him were reserved about it at first but are now happy that if we saw something going on we'd call for them as well.
If you've read this far I'm probably preaching to the choir. I can't express how important it is to be an exceptional neighbor. I've only been accused once of not picking up after my dog so I told the guy to go look at his cameras again and the neighbor businesses as well. Not a peep since. My dog is always leashed, I don't throw trash on the ground and almost every Sat you'll find us at the local RV place dumping the toilet. It's because of this the shop owner approached us. Now we sleep better at night too.
I got stuck originally via medical emergency in a town that is kind of hoity-toity. They have no social safety nets of any permanence and the way this town is they know you're on their streets within the first week of you being here. And for anyone that's ever seen my van I'm not exactly stealthy but since I'm not afraid to be this way, no biggie.
Anyway, at almost a year in to parking in the same industrial area I heard a knock at the drivers window and peared out to see a man standing there in clothes that identified a repair shop down the street. Turns out he was the owner and was having issues with theft and vandalism and since we parked on the street all the time, would I be interested in parking overnight in front of his shop.
Damn straight I was!
We discussed expectations and I'll tell you right now, I'm thrilled. I'm definitely NOT stealthy by any sense of the word so it was going to be really obvious I'm there.
Not one theft or vandalism since we started parking there in early January.
Terms we agreed on:
Parking in the evening usually by 10pm but we've gotten along so well I've occasionally parked there before business was done and he's always been happy to see us. It's a plus I used to wrench so I get the lowdown on the cars he's working on.
I usually leave before business starts each day but once or twice I was kind of late getting up and got invited in for coffee. We've gotten to use the bathroom, microwave and ice maker as well as wash dishes.
We are not to confront perps. He hoped and so far it's working that just our presence would deter maliciousness. We are only to call 911 for law enforcement.
Added and unexpected bonus; I buy the parts and he's been doing repairs on my van free of labor. I didn't ask for that but he was so thrilled to be able to sleep at night that he offered. He's also offered to look for other vehicles, even RVs that might match my price so we aren't so cramped but I don't want to pay for another registration.
It's a win/win. So much so that a shop down the street has a guy in his trailer parked in their parking lot on the weekends now. I think he works at the warehouse next door because he's parked in front of that during the week. Plus my fiance can walk to work.
We're not in a high crime area but the industrial area gets picked on a lot. Now the neighborhood is even quieter. The businesses on each side of him were reserved about it at first but are now happy that if we saw something going on we'd call for them as well.
If you've read this far I'm probably preaching to the choir. I can't express how important it is to be an exceptional neighbor. I've only been accused once of not picking up after my dog so I told the guy to go look at his cameras again and the neighbor businesses as well. Not a peep since. My dog is always leashed, I don't throw trash on the ground and almost every Sat you'll find us at the local RV place dumping the toilet. It's because of this the shop owner approached us. Now we sleep better at night too.