The Violent Cop Knock

[MK7]

Orlando, FL is a very high crime area.

 

[David]

I had my first knock on the window last night. Was my own fault as I got a bit lazy and tried to ninja park at a state park that was kind of out of the way.&nbsp;<br><br>The officer was pretty cool about it and just did the normal checks and asked me to move elsewhere. LOL I'm amazed he didn't give me a hard time as I have MA plates, FL drivers Lic and I wasn't too far from my old address so he was like why aren't you sleeping at your place???<br><br>I was still half dazed from being woken up from a good sleep and can't imagine my answers were really jiving.. Regardless he was nice and just had me move along..<br><br><br>

 

[mlts22]

I just wish there were a way to this feedback loop, so the police don't have to be worried that every single stop might wind up being a shootout, and people don't fear that every encounter with the law might be a Rodney King re-enactment.<br><br>I almost wish criminal justice were taught in the schools, to lessen this divide.

 

[RJCooper]

At #23 post:<br><br>I guess my yellow "Don't Tread on Me" sticker, along with the NRA and Sportsman stickers will put them on guard.&nbsp; lol

 

[caseyc]

<p>The only other thing you need is a New Hampshire plate that says "Live Free Or Die", plus the Don't Tread&nbsp;On Me serpent,&nbsp;haha! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"></p>

 

[indigo]

Busted!

About two hours ago at the Mount Dora, Wal Mart. I will give the exact location, as I will no longer be using that location and suggest not taking up residence, unless needed. At about 4 something in the AM, in a deep sleep. I get a tapping on my rear window, turn over to be blinded by a mag light. Female voice asked me some questions, but I'm half asleep and blinded. Ask her to please move the light and how was her day? Trying to be nice and smiled, as I just assumed it was cop (can't see due to blinding light, glasses on dash, and headlights blinding through the windshield. So she moves the light and said she's doing good, then asks what am I doing here and for ID. I did not want to lie, seeing as my license is from Clearwater (not far away) and registration is from Orlando. So I told her doing what I can to survive, I have an interview in the morning, in Leesburg; wish me luck! At this point she started to seem more worried and ask me to get my license and she went to the back to run my plates. She ran my plates and my license, clean. She of course ask if I had no where to go. If I had drug/alcohol problems (I hate that people assume this). When I answered her qeastions, she asked the dreaded qeastion I hate most,"Why are you homeless?" I did not answer, because I do not feel homeless. While I never thought I would be sleeping in a car, I always found "creative" lifestyles interesting and "smart" (especially for a college student). I asked why did she wake me, is there a city ordance? She pointed to a sighn and said yes it's strictly enforced. Then went on about snabbings and homeless in the area. Not knowing what to say but,"I hope there okay, I can move over to the next town if my presence is a problem." She said I should be okay for the night, but I should get permission from Wal Mart. I told her I have asked in past and they said it was alright, as long as I park out of the way. I even told her RV's and Vans park all the time... Then she said those are okay, there met for sleeping. But she left without hassle.

At this point I decided I should leave within the next 10 mins, after I wake up a bit (as not to be a danger on the road). I watch her do her checks in the parking lot, then leave. She never did go into Wal Mart, so I don't think someone inside called. But did take a strectch to get more awake and check out the sign, 82.210. From a google search, it just states no vehicle can be parked for more the 12 hours. So I go back to my car, mostly awake and about to leave.

When a Tahoe police car pulls in front of me and up to my bumper. Then two Crown Vics pull up. At this point I knew it was going to be bad, I place my hands on the dash and kept them there as they approached my car from all angles, with hands on there weapons. I said morning, how's everyone? Still trying to be friendly... Cop from the Tahoe asked if I worked here, I told them "no, I was just awaken by a female cop and was about to leave after I wake up a bit." They radioed something in and asked me to step out of the car. I politely told them "no, I would like to remain in the safety of my vehicle and leave as soon as possible." He yelled,"step out of my vehicle so they can search for my drugs or I will be arrested on felony charges." I told them,"I do not consent to any searches and will not answer anymore questions; unless an attorneys present." Then rolled my window up, placing my hands back on the dash. Heart is pounding through my chest, awaiting what ever is next. The Tahoe cop who was doing all the talking goes back and gets his dog. They go around the vehicle and the dog does not do anything. Then they told me to have a good day and left. So I leave, never to come back.

I guess I need to get the money together for window tint, plastic rain guards (so I can still crack the window), and shade for the front window... Then just park on the public streets in Orlando.

Damn brother! Just out of curiosity what color is your skin? If that were anyone with black or brown skin they would have just busted your window, dragged you out of the car and asked questions later... maybe even shot you. Next time I think it's best to just exit the vehicle and follow directions. In those situations, getting out alive can sometimes be determined by personal issues; if the police in charge is going though a divorce or breakup or some other personal shit. Things are always more complex than they seem and remember... THE LAW IS WHAT EVER THE JUDGES, LAWYERS, AND POLICEMEN AGREE THAT IT IS DEPENDING ON THE CASE. Just my $.02

---

You can call 911 to check if they are real. Not a bad practice in the middle of the night.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

NO NO NO!!! This will mistake your phone for a gun and kill you. Just do what they say.

 

[owl]

niall, Are you for real, what color is your skin? Cops knock on vans now based on the color of your skin. They must have some incredible powers. Or you have some illusions.

 

[angeli]

Owl,
read back thru the posts. Niall is the poor person who got harassed. Indigo asked if skin color was a factor based on the fact that Niall was in a car, not a van, and was easily seen without window tinting, etc.

As a Floridian parked and living a few hours north of Orlando, I can easily verify that Niall's skin color, if perceived by LEO, could easily influence how things went down. That's just the way it is here, sadly. A fact easily verifiable if you watch the national news at all.

 

[owl]

With all due respect, your assumption is that only people of color live in vehicles, and that all LEO are, of course white, and racist by birth. The idea that they might be enforcing local law doesn't enter into the equasion? I wonder what the breakdown, by race, of LEO's in Fla. is ? I would venture to say that they are of every color. Please take no offense because that is not my intention. If you are getting your world view from TV news, as most are, you really have no idea what is really going on. What Indigo said was that if niall were a person of color they woul have busted out the window and maybe shot you. I posted the wrong name. The point is still, not every confrontation in this world boils down to race.

 

[Lifemagician]

If you are getting your world view from TV news, as most are, you really have no idea what is really going on.

Slightly off topic.....

That is why, as I wrote in another thread, I like to interact with the locals, wherever I travel. I want to learn as much as I can about the land where my grandchildren are being raised. That information cannot be gained from 'official' news bulletins.

Lifey

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Got knocked last week, said they got a call about a van cooking meth. I think it was more about me being in a van at night in an empty park and ride (wasnt empty when i went to sleep). They pulled all the cliche stuff on me ‘anything in there we should know about, confess now.‘ and at the end ‘you sure your no smoking weed? I thought i smelled weed'
Do they have a poster with these retarded tactics printed up on the wall? Lol

---

Oh yeah, i loved when i stepped out of the van the chubby little deputy who used to be a crooked small town cop in a town i lived in said ‘oh ive arrested YOU before' never been arrested in my life of course. I knew right away this was gonna be pleasant. :\

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Is it legal to stay in park and rides? Like a Walmart or what. Good idea but never researched it.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Not sure, there only sign up says no selling of property but otherwise no visible prohibitions. They let me go. back in so i don't think its illegal. but it might just be unenforced

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Not sure, there only sign up says no selling of property but otherwise no visible prohibitions. They let me go. back in so i don't think its illegal. but it might just be unenforced

OK Thanks. Ill check it out more sometime. If my car was parked there while at work it seems that I would like someone camped out there. Doesn't make it legal or an excuse but I can see the benefit since my car was broke into long ago at one. Good to have a light on and someone around.