I'm finding the most interesting people parked outside my house

[shance]

I live in a pretty quiet neighborhood, so people parked out in front of my house can tend to stand out a bit.

This afternoon there was another individual parked out front, and being that this was about the fourth person (man) I've had parked in front of my house the past couple of weeks, well, curiosity had me ask if I could help him in any way.

His response: "Why?"

My response: Well, I just noticed you parked here for a while and thought perhaps I could help you with something.

His response: "Really? No you cant"

My response: Alright.

His response then: "I'm reading"

It's interesting. There sure seem to be a number of avid readers parked on my block these days.

I then decided to take a ride around the block and when I pulled from the drive way I was able to get the license plate. I drove around the block and when I got back around, my reading 'friend' had gone. Guess he'd come to a good place to stop.

There have also been, like last night, car(s) parked a few houses down from me on the same side of the street that, when Im coming and going in the evening, they coincidentally turn their headlights on bright, so theyre pretty hard not to notice. I guess they can't find the light switch in the car because the lights just remain on.

I'm finding it interesting. One might conclude that my being an activist involved in various causes and issues which happen to oppose many of the Administrations'policies, that someone(s)is very interested in getting my attention.

Anyone else having an influx of readers (who smoke at the same time*)parked at and around your house?

Just curious.

[niyad]

1. make a point of taking a camera, and obviously taking pictures of the

license plates, and the drivers.

also, if you really want to amuse yourself, whenever you are talking to someone on the phone, make a point of mentioning the lurking drivers, complete with descriptions and plate numbers.

if it is the "boys", they will be forced to rapidly switch the watchers. it can be quite entertaining

[shance]

7. Thanks* I actually carried one a while back.

It's probably time to put it back in the purse.

[eleny]

2. Can you check the plate numbers at the Motor Vehicle Dept?

I think that in my state, I can go down to DMV and get the information. Perhaps that would help resolve the mystery.

[shance]

Yes. I'm going to do that tomorrow.

It is certainly information that may help.

[ugarte]

3. What kinds of cars?

Government types? Or civilian?

[shance]

13. A couple have been four door sedans and a couple of others residential

The one today was very non-descript - a four door Chevrolet camino or something.

Of course the sedans were the ones that peaked my interest more than the others.

[Child_Of_Isis]

4. Oh dear gawd!

And I thought I was just being paranoid. Reading and scribbling is what I get all the time. But I am the paranoid type. I pay attention to such stuff.

[ZombieGak]

5. I worry more about........

I worry more about those curious people working the telephone poles by my house at 2am.

[lavenderdiva]

6. is it Agent Mike from DU?

I don't know if he likes to read or not though. On second thought, since he lurks here, I guess he does like to read.

[shance]

15. I thought about good ole Mike.

He has a merry band, if so.

[lavenderdiva]

18. My car was parked in our driveway one day, when I went to get into it

and noticed a business card tucked under the driver's side windshield wiper. I took it out, and it was an FBI Agent's business card. Hmmm... I brought it inside to my husband, and he called the agent to ask what was up. The agent said they were looking for the person who had originally owned our car. We had recently bought the car used from a local car dealership. Apparently, the owner had been involved in some drug dealings and they were looking for him. But I have to tell, you, when I first saw that card, I WAS wondering just WHAT was going on, and was it related to my DU habit! Paranoid, huh?

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. I really don't think

you would notice if you were being watched.

[shance]

20. That could be true.

Unless they are making a point to be noticed.

[JackieO]

22. they often do

it's a form of harassment

[TahitiNut]

9. Private detective. Divorce. Surveillance. It's common.

:shrug: Someone in the neighborhood has a spouse that's away (business trip?) and they're being watched. Comings and goings. Visitors. Which lights go on and off and what times. That kind of stuff.

[shanti]

10. does this person have a laptop in their vehicle?

and do you or your neighbors have wireless internet? i've been reading lots of stuff about people sitting in their cars in front of houses (and they don't necessarily live there) pirating wireless internet. in fact, there was a a topic about this on DU within the last two weeks. do a search.

[shance]

24. Interesting you mention that....

the man today did not.

However, I was talking with a neighbor friend of mine a while back, about six months ago, and she said had noticed someone in their van on a lap top down the street.

She actually went up and addressed the guy, we have a pretty active neighborhood watch, and after that, she didn't see him around again.

Now, it could have been simply someone just using their laptop for whatever reason, but she mentioned she'd seen the van a few times hanging around the neighborhood.

[shanti]

41. i think thats what this is

do you have wireless access?

[Cleita]

11. They would be really noticed in my neck of the wood.

I wouldn't have to inquire of anyone parked or even pretending to be a service because the neighbors clock all the comings and goings of everyone here. However, I have had my mail tampered with. I can't prove it but I know it. Post Office employees are bad liars. I get strange phone calls. I'm surprised they have enough employees to go after all of us. I think it's hit or miss surveillance and they just aren't very bright really.

[JohnyCanuck]

12. Make sure you don't say Dubya is a lying dog out loud,

or you could really be in trouble.

Law Abiding Ohio Resident And Korean War Veteran Has Authorities Illegally Swarm On His Property Just Hours After He Called President Bush A Liar On A Local AM Radio Station

<snip>

I’ve been here since 1994 and everybody’s knows me including the sheriff. I never smoked marijuana and they know it, but I think they just like terrorizing people,” said Stout in a telephone conversation from his rural home, adding he still hasn’t received an answer from anyone why law enforcement officials invaded his privacy and entered his land without a proper search warrant.

“It scared the hell out of me as eight or ten men swarmed my place. I was weeding my garden and the next thing you know, they were on my property, looked at this bush and left without saying a word. It was ridiculous, but the sheriff, the deputy sheriff and the game warden all raided my place for no reason and I am still looking for an explanation.”

Although Stout can’t pinpoint why authorities entered his property without a warrant, earlier that day he aired his strong opinions against President Bush, calling him an outright liar, on a free speech and truth-telling talk radio show on the popular WAIF AM770 local radio station.

Stout said he has been calling in regularly voicing his anti-Bush opinions, saying people in rural Ohio are finally starting to wake up to lies, deceit and treachery imposed on the American people by what he calls a “lying dog of a President.’

http://prisonplanet.com/Pages/Aug05/130805Stout.htm

[marew]

17. I've wondered about that. I've posted a few less than pleasant

posts here and wrote the Whitehouse and told shrub mild things like "Grow up!" and "Get a Grip!"

[shance]

29. No American should have to worry about free expression.

If the Whitehouse cannot handle some very understandable anger and concern like what you have the right to express, they are the ones deserving scrutiny, not you Marew.

[flyarm]

44. you need to stay aware and immediately call the police..

seriously..don't mess around..someone could be lurking looking a a child in the neighborhood..or stalking a woman...its nothing to mess around with..call 9/11 next time there is a car out htere that you do not recongnise..do it immediately..the police dont mind coming and checking it out..and if its someone undercover they will tell you!
you do not have to put up with that ..and you could be saving someone..take no chances@

[shance]

19. Isn't that the truth? It's a terrible shame that

those of us speaking out and voicing our concerns about the policies of this Administraton are being intimidated and bullied.

We have to address it though, because it's wrong.

[marew]

14. There was something like that in my neighborhood in FL.

about 8 mos. ago. It was around the corner. I walk my dogs late at night and would cross the road to get very close to the car. It happened 3 or 4 nights in a row. It was very obvious someone was in the car. I took down the license number in case there was a robbery or anything. Then they just disappeared. Mine is a really quiet neighborhood also so they stuck out like a sore thumb. Really nice car too. Who knows?

[shance]

26. You know, the best thing we can do is to be aware, follow our instincts

and chat with neighbors when we can.

[noamnety]

16. I would be tempted to report them to the FBI

And I would have fun doing it, with a long explanation about how I feel funny even calling about it, but I've read so much stuff online about how important it is to turn in people that are acting suspicious, and here are these guys that look like they could be casing the neighborhood ... and sure it sounds crazy to think there could be terrorists here, but like Bush says, they could be anywhere, anyone could be a target, and it seems like it might be best to come check them out. I'd make a point of letting them know I'll be doing my part as well, keeping track of their license plate numbers and calling my neighbors to ask them to help out, too, like an old fashioned neighborhood watch.

:)

[shance]

28. Thanks lwfern***

Am not sure they would be the people to go to on this, but you have a good point.

[Kali]

32. snarf

:rofl: :toast:

[kestrel91316]

21. We had a "watcher" for about an hour at our Support Cindy Sheehan

rally in Hollywood yesterday. I suspect FBI or SS but could have just been a freeper type also.

[spuddonna]

23. Who knows...

They may be undercover cops, or as has happened to our neighborhood, they may be stealing people's mail to do identity theft, if they don't have laptops, doubt wireless theft...

Have you asked your neighbors whether they've seen anyone? It may be happeneing to more than just you...

We had cops parked outside our neighbors house and we were all comparing notes, then we found out practically the entire block's mail had been tampered with - part of a huge identity theft ring...

[shance]

31. The man today was obviously making a point to intimidate.

He was trying to stare me down and sat there slowly taking drags off his cigarette.

[spuddonna]

42. Then I would DEFINITELY call the cops, and alert my neighbors...

That's harassment. I'd try to get the plate first before I called though... Good luck with this, and keep us up to date, too. :(

[murielm99]

25. Something like that happened here a few years ago.

It was in the county seat here, which is a quiet, rural community.

Many people started noticing the surveillance. One person who noticed runs an insurance agency, located in a residential neighborhood. He finally got up the nerve to go out and talk to one of the watchers. He told the watcher that he was concerned about him taking up a parking space in front of his business several days a week. He said it was scaring his customers. And, when the guy moved in front of a home, he said, it was scaring the homeowners. He said no one felt safe. He asked him why he was there.

The watcher told the insurance man that they were watching a person of interest several blocks over, because of suspected criminal activity, and not to worry about it. The insurance man laughed at him, and told him they would never catch anyone if they were so obvious about it.

They did catch someone, though. They busted a major heroin ring that was operating out of a pizza parlor.

You should still inquire, though. You have a right to feel safe in your neighborhood.

[madeline_con]

27. Like niyad said, click click...

It's perfectly legal to photograph them and their vehicle, tags, whatever.

The whole "no expectation of privacy" will keep them from any legal action.

[evilqueen]

30. band together

The best service you could provide would be to gather your neighbors together and voice your concerns to them, so they could keep an eye out too. Take notes, document everything (time, date, plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, etc.)

Also, if anyone in your neighborhood knows how to lock down wireless routers so the bandwidth can't be leeched without an encryption key, they'd be doing the whole neighborhood a service in helping homeowners to lock down their systems from the bandwidth bandits. I have my own system locked down with 128-bit encryption and you can't get in without the key (I've tested it). Free wireless is available at many public libraries, there's no need to be leeching from individual people or compromising their computer networks, possibly risking identity theft, or helping real terrorists (who ARE using the internet to plan things).

[shance]

40. Thanks EQ. That's helpful information.

I wish I was more technically saavy. That certainly sounds like a smart thing to do in protecting one's identity these days, not to mention keeping our lives private and not at the mercy at those with not so good intentions*

[theplutsnw]

33. I had almost the exact same experience

last summer. I was doing A LOT of stuff to get Kerry elected (sign waving over I-5, GOTV, TONS of signs in my yard etc. I am a stay-at-home mom, so I am here everyday, all day and I kept noticing cars parking across the street and people just sitting there in their cars for about half an hour or so. I never talked to any of them, but I would go across the street to get my mail and they would leave. Did not experience the bright headlights, but this freaks me out! I thought I was safe in Seattle, but you never know. Maybe they were local Rethugs keeping tabs on what us Dems were doing?

[shance]

39. That's interesting.

And another good reason for those of us politically active to talk openly with each other, and if pertinent, share any incidents that continually happen that don't seem to add up or don't make sense.

They could be just a coincidence or they could be something to alert us.

[wli]

34. probably COINTELPRO rehash ongoing

Probably worth getting a database of license plate numbers and vehicle models going, and keeping tabs on what the DMV says and maybe the results of FOIA requests about COINTELPRO-like activities going on.

ON EDIT: VIN's if they can be gotten with cameras or however may also be useful.

[seabeyond]

35. i use to cut school and go into neighborhoods i knew my parents

would never be in and park in front of a house and read my books. i hated school. i loved to read. couldnt go to a park, they might drive by and see me. wonder how many people wondered what i was up to.

just brought back memories

[BiggJawn]

36. Drug sales?

That kind of crap used to go on in my hood. Drugs or Ho's...

[shance]

37. Being that I don't do drugs and don't run a brothel.

Can't see the "drugs or ho's" would fit into this category.

It's a very family oriented neighborhood.

:)

[BiggJawn]

38. Well, neither did I....

But the pushers and Johns didn't really care what I did...

Somehow the word gets out "XX hundred block of XX street. You can hook up there."

I accosted a guy one day who was sitting out in front of my house writing down something. turned out he was the meter reader...

[NuttyFluffers]

43. Bring them coffe and a bookmark.

and then drop ever so unsubtlely that if they are doing surveillance that you´ll be sure to leave some milk and cookies out to freshen up after invasive house searches. then end it with "toodles!" :evilgrin:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

45. Oh, that was just me.

Sorry about the lights. Every car I rent has the controls in different places and sometimes I don't even realize I've hit a switch.

See, my work takes me to different locations and I often have to kill time between appointments. I usually drive to the nearest residential neighborhood so I can relax on a quiet, tree-lined street.

I take out my papers and make notes, jot down ideas, stuff like that. If I had one, I'd use a laptop. If I don't have any business to review, I read.

And I smoke. Just about the only place you can smoke anymore outside your home is inside your car. Can't even sit in the parking lot - lots of businesses don't allow smoking anywhere on the premises. If I'm onsite all day, I take lunch in my car so I can finish with a smoke.

Very rarely I'll get some looks from the neighbors, and if I do I move on. Maybe they think I'm casing their homes because I'll look up from my papers and stare into space, thinking. Maybe they think I'm staring at them. If I was a jerk, I might fuck with someone by staring at them deliberately. But I don't want trouble.

Matter of fact, neighborhoods are not my favorite place to park. The best spots are forest preserves, parks, or cemetaries. Lots of trees, and as quiet as the day is long. But I can't always find one near where I'm working. So I have to settle for a street like yours.