Suspicious Person: "Do you live in this neighborhood?"

[DownByTheRiver]

My van is a very clean Astro van that I always keep washed and waxed and I never keep junk in the front seat section. &nbsp;I have the inside of all the rear windows spray painted black with this rubber stuff that is supposed to make it easier to peel off when I need to sell the van. &nbsp;I have a black "blackout curtain" across the front. &nbsp;No light escapes and I am always quiet.<br /><br />A couple of months ago I parked my van on a residential street for just one night. &nbsp;I had never parked there before. &nbsp;I woke up at around 7am to the sound of two snoopy women in their 60's trying to open the doors to my van and saying things like "maybe it's a stolen van and somebody abandoned it here" and "maybe somebody lives in it". &nbsp;<br /><br />Today,&nbsp;I parked on the same street while visiting a relative but am not going to spend the night parked there. &nbsp;I am just parking for a few hours during the daytime. &nbsp;There are no parking restrictions on the street.<br /><br />As I am leaving my van and starting to walk away, a woman in her 60's comes out of her house and comes straight towards me and says "sir, sir, excuse me, sir, sir, do you <em>live</em>&nbsp;in this neighborhood?" &nbsp;She was extremely suspicious and I wouldn't be surprised if she called the police to report me as a suspicious person.<br /><br />If this had happened to you, what would you have said to the suspicious woman?<br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[josephusminimus]

I think, since&nbsp; you have a relative living nearby all you'd have to do is tell her so.&nbsp; Different matter if you didn't have a relative living nearby.&nbsp; In that circumstance I'd pick a different street after the first incident.

 

[Ricekila]

"My sister is having problems with her soon to be ex-husband on the next street over and I wanna be close by if there's a problem - but not so close as to make it obvious - if he snoops around" <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />There gonna wright down you tag # anyway <img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absMiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Park anyplace else ----

 

[VanTrekker]

<div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://thewoodlandstamarac.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/NeighborMrsKravitz2.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="169" /><br /><br /><em>"Abner, there's a vandweller in front of the Stevens House!"</em><br /><br />Sorry, I resist that.&nbsp; It seems like nothing strikes more fear into a person than the neighborhood "Mrs. Kravitz"... (from the TV show "Bewitched")<br /><br />I guess the "kill 'em with kindness" approach would be the best.&nbsp; I am curious about the color of your van.&nbsp; White seems to drive people nuts around here... We've had some abductions issues with, sadly, Astro vans and the folks are kind of skiddish. Out of area plates might raise suspicion.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The contact might be a result of&nbsp;looking too stealthy.&nbsp; Have you thought about a Soccer Mom decal or perhaps "My kid is a honor roll student" bumper sticker, etc.&nbsp; That might help distract the nosy people a little...&nbsp; If had a passenger type vehicle, I'd definitely go that route for a little extra stealth...<br /><br />If stealth camping in strange cities, I like to park near University apartment buildings.&nbsp; There nobody gives a care about where you are from, what you are driving, etc.&nbsp; Residential neighborhoods are one place I avoid if in unfamiliar areas.</div><div style="text-align: left;">V.T.</div>

 

[DownByTheRiver]

<div style="text-align: left;">

</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://thewoodlandstamarac.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/NeighborMrsKravitz2.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="169" /><br /><br /><em>"Abner, there's a vandweller in front of the Stevens House!"&nbsp;<br /><br /></em>

<br /><br />That's how I imagine her. &nbsp;I didn't reply to her. &nbsp;I felt like why does she need to know the identity of every person who parks a vehicle on the street? &nbsp;It's like maybe she enjoys having the power. &nbsp;I just ignored her and kept walking down the sidewalk.&nbsp;<br /><br />When I left a few hours later I could see the window blinds in her house moving from where she was peeking out at me.<br /><br />

I am curious about the color of your van.

</div><br />My van isn't white. &nbsp;Unfortunately it gets to be over 100 degrees inside sometimes, even though it is insulated with foam insulboard and Reflectix. <br /><br />I have a friend who lives in his van also. &nbsp;He is&nbsp;definitely not very stealthy. He can never have anybody sit in the front passenger seat because he has so much stuff there. &nbsp;On the front seat he's got a portable stove, an espresso maker, a loaf of bread, etc. &nbsp;From the outside of the van you see different colored blankets covering the windows.

 

[oldsoul]

Its a sad deal. People don,t know how to mind their own business now a days, cause the whole world has to be just like them....

 

[Nelda]

Interesting posts. <br />Since I have been on both sides of this, I'll post from the homeowners side.&nbsp; I started finding hypodermic needles on the side of my house. I also noticed a car parking there at odd times of the day and night, with no one getting out.&nbsp; I noticed feet sticking out the back door many a morning. Of course I knew.<br />So one early, cold morning, I wrap up some fresh banana bread, go over and told the girl I noticed she had slept there.&nbsp; We talked awhile and I asked if she needed anything, gave her the bread, and told her she was safe there. <br />Now I have parked in residential areas while traveling the country.<br />I've had many encounters with many different kinds of people and I think it's the attitude that makes a difference.&nbsp; If you are hostile, you will get hostile reactions.

 

[sparky1]

Back in 84 when i bought my Crappy Farm land---parked in the field 20 miles from no where- second weekend a couple dropped by wanted to know if i was all right-surely knowing i had no water,power etc;.Now 28 years later, nothing has changed-even the sheriff Never stops when i'm camped in the field,i parked my old truck down the road @ a farmers place all last winter(they were gone) no one ever checked on it,,,But let me camp in Appomattox,va,(one horse town &amp; the horse died) Small town,,don't even try it---there local cops will be all over you, to many snoopy old residents,(Where are you from???)..<br />Now I know why I got out of town. <br />sparky1 in southern Va,

 

[Salida Scarlett]

I've noticed similar posts on other forums, and it's kind of making me wonder if vandwelling is very stealthy at all. For some reason, people seem to think vans and the people who own them are up to something. I wonder why this is, and if it's even possible to stealth anymore? The TSA is encouraging Americans to spy on each other, as if you have to tell some of these people. I've always had neighbors that spied on everything I did. That can be a good thing in terms of safety, and other times just plain annoying. <br /><br />Scarlett

 

[ParadiseParrot]

YES YES I DO DEAR.....HAPPY TO MEET YOU...Whats your name?...new to the area myself. moving vans coming who know when...terrible the work ethic these people have these days isn't it? &nbsp;Where is the Church by the way? Dont know the area very well...Company arranged everything dont you know.<br /><br />Well wonderfull to meet you.....(turning back) My truck will be ok here right? this is a good neighborhood yes? OH good.....wow you had me worried for a minute........YOu will watch it for me wont you?<br /><br /><br />Vans are used to rob people according to the press....gone 50 years without a crime comitted on me myself. If approached by these people just shake there hand...tell them your name...your not there to hurt them<br /><br />Make up a good story for being there with your van.......moving in.....looking for a house......go meet the local preacher...find out his name.<br /><br />Nice to meet you ladies......MEt that wonderful Rev bookthumper down at the Sun Young Moon center....how wonderful he is?<br /><br />DO this and you will belong there....saavy? Of course rich neighborhoods will chase you out but you knew that.<br /><br /><br />

 

[Ravensoracle]

I've been on both sides of this issue. Guess I am getting paranoid in my old age (haha, early 30's). But after having a meth dealer living next door and dealing out of their house, I have gotten very suspicious of strange vehicles in my neighborhood.

I've had to settle down since I have kids but will be joining you guys in a few years. You may not like the old ladies being nosy but they are most likely only trying to protect themselves. My advice is to talk to them. Be honest with them.

I may piss off some people by saying this but oh well.

You can move your house. They can't. There has to be a mutual respect, but if you are making a neighborhood nervous by your presence then it may be time to find another place to park. There may be a history of crime you are unaware of. Introducing yourself may help. Being secretive and telling them it's none of their business is only going to cause problems.

Today I had to tell someone parked on a county road that runs adjacent to my land that they needed to move on. Why? Because when I asked them if they needed help or what they were doing there, they told me where to go. Would I have told them to leave if they had a good reason to be there? No.

Being nice will get you farther most of the time.

 

[sparky1]

<br />cute one yesterday;<br />lady from across the road called me;our driveways are 250ft apart,said; I saw a grey car coming out of your drive way..do you have company?<br />I said "Yes" that's MY CAR had it since 2001..shut her up for sure.<br />loved the conversation.

 

[mockturtle]

I said "Yes" that's MY CAR had it since 2001..shut her up for sure.<br />loved the conversation.[/quote]&nbsp; Maybe she was looking out for your interests by assuring the car was supposed to be there.&nbsp; A family in our former Seattle neighborhood had their house cleaned out by a couple of guys in a moving van one day while they were out.&nbsp; The neighbors just assumed they were moving.

 

[Guest]

Hi...Good posts on this. I had a funny thing happen while I was driving for a courier service in Boise, ID. I was parked in a residential neighborhood waiting to meet with another courier to pass an item off to him. It was dark and late evening and I was sitting there idling with the A/C on. A man came up and was quite relentless in his questioning, even though the van was well signed with the courier service company info with a huge phone number.<br /><br />I just wrote it off as a natural thing to have happen in any neighborhood with "Neighborhood Watch" signs up. I belonged to one in a rural area of Alaska. That is pretty much what folks do to insure less crime. Perfectly normal these days.<br /><br />Personally I don't park the night in residential neighborhoods unless it is a neighborhood of apartment buildings with vehicles parked on the streets.<br /><br />I have come to believe that "stealth" or "camo" is often best achieved with the obvious. At least that is how I work it. Even to the extent at times of notifying the local LEO. I use that in Latin America at times. <br /><br />Having worked with LEOs in the public land service and having a wife who was a trooper/911 dispatcher for several years, you really aren't being as secretive as you think when you try to not be noticed. Any LEO worth the badge will know exactly who is there and why in their patrol area. LEO's often use their personal time to practice noticing their surroundings. I remember eating lunch with a couple in Alaska and after we left the cafe, they asked each other questions about who was there, what they looked like and where they sat, etc. ad infinitum...tedious to me but essential to them.<br /><br />Our friend Mar, who toured the US for 3 years in her fairly large Class C RV almost never stayed in a campground or RV park or paid for spending the night...until she spent 3 months in San Felipe Mexico where she stayed in an RV park and paid by the month while working as an online college professor.<br /><br />She claimed she stayed primarily in urban parking lots and to my knowledge was never bothered by anyone...<br /><br />Andf there is George Lehrer of "The Adventures of Tioga &amp; George" blog fame who for 6 or more years never paid for a night of camping in his large Class C Tioga RV. He boondocked wherever he traveled, US and Mexico.<br /><br />It takes experience and intuition to find the right spots and learn how to be and you gain it by just doing it and rolling with whatever you find.<br />Peace,<br />Bri

 

[gadgetMe]

I have a close friend that noticed guys running around his place without a care, acting like they owned it.<br /><br />When they were confronted by my friend, they asked what HE was doing there, they had permission (really!!)<br /><br />HE informed them that HE owned the land and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">they</span> had better leave.<br /><br />I have also had guys say they owned property and had a right to be there doing things,&nbsp; ( I know the owners), they only are trying to scare you off by lying &nbsp; (they are from another part of the country)<br /><br />You may know your intentions are good. But it is not easy to know what others intentions are.<br /><br />Boondocking in residential areas for me is not a good idea, how do you really know if it is a reasonably safe area.<br /><br />Plain looking work vans to theives, is like a billboard, asking to steal me, I might have tools inside. If you are sleeping in the back and the thief breaks in and starts the van .... what cha goin' to do? <br /><br />Putz<br /><br />

 

[Half_Pint]

If I was boondocking in a residential area I would say that I am in the process of moving across country and started to get sleepy so I looked to find a nice place to sleep for the night, because haven't you heard driving while drowsey is just as dangerous as driving while drunk, I just want to be a good person or if I am staying a few days the I have a friend who is having troubles with their husband and I want to be close by so that when she calls me I can be there in an instant but not so close that he knows&nbsp;<br /><br />but I do have an advantage when it comes to little old ladies, I am a small female and people simply do not assume that people who look like me are up to anything bad, I just have one of those faces

 

[randal02lee]

When I park on residential streets its right before I turn in for the night and I park between 2 houses. I remember one time in Santa Monica, Ca I did this and around 10pm a lady and a cop was outside my window. The cop was knocking on my window, but I was quiet and didn't answer. The lady lived in one of the 2 houses. I heard the lady say, 'I know he's in there, he never left the van'......and the cop replied 'he could have left and you didn't see him'........Then the lady wanted my van towed, but the cop told her I could be her neighbors guest, and he can't tow a vehicle willy nilly without all the facts and then left. I stayed the rest of the night and left in the morning.

I chalk that up to one of the negatives in van dwelling, but still beats dealing with bad landlords and loud neighbors.

 

[freenez2]

As am primarily a city dweller, over night location is an important consideration. I like light industrial areas the most and use one regularly with a minimum of hassle. Finding other van/RV/car dwellers night time spots are a good way to determine a locations success. When not in a light industrial area, parking near an apartment complex works providing I arrive after 10 or 11 PM. I avoid purely residential areas when possible, but will park in one if am in a pinch and it's really late. I try not to push my luck... If things get weird and am noticed, I ALWAYS leave. Why stick around when one can just drive away and park around the block? As van/RV/car dwellers, our privacy needs vary considerably... Mine are about being as close to invisible as possible. If I choose to interact, it's on my terms and dealing with a nosy home owner or the man aren't on the program. If the police do knock I connect the dots and minimize the interaction with the least hassle. Other posts describe how to do that.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I found the nightly searching for a low key parking spot to be very stressful when staying in an area for more than a day or two.&nbsp;<br /><br />For a long while now I've had a private level parking spot with grid hooks up's bathroom facilities, and my own wireless router pointed at my Van. &nbsp;All for minimal rent, and all the neighbors know how I live, and are okay with it. &nbsp;They employ me on occasion to build or fix something, and ask me to watch over their properties when they are away.<br /><br />The last 2 days there has been a car dweller on the street, down on his luck and &nbsp;completely out of his mind. Apparently he used to own property on this street a dozen + years ago. &nbsp;I pretty much am not a people person, but this guy just has the vibe about him which makes me want to leave the whole area until he is gone.<br /><br /> &nbsp;The neighbors called me, asked if I knew him, (I dont) and then related to me the things he has said to them(which are very disturbing), and his plans to squat on an empty lot owned by his former inlaws.<br /><br />I hope the person is not a member of this forum, but from what I've seen of the vehicle, internet access is unlikely.<br /><br />The drama is ongoing, but they are adamant that he not return, and the cops have been called but he had driven away before they came. &nbsp;Now I feel like I have to go a little more stealth just so as to not be mistaken for the undesirable &nbsp;who the cops are on the lookout for.<br /><br />I have no right to say anything to the guy to split, but the neighbors are stressed, worried about their children, and have asked me to try and get rid of him.

 

[ParadiseParrot]

<p>Meth dealers? Crazies. You guy live in some pretty bad places.<br />You and your kids would be better off elsewhere. I have never been wealthy but I won't life in a ghetto.<br /><br />As for parking. Like was already mentioned Industrial zone is better.<br />Manufacturing goes on day and night.&nbsp;</p><p>Vans are parked behind all these places. Delivery vans. Any cop spotting a new van will assume u are supposed to be there.Park in same spot every night so he gets used you being there.</p>