Today I called the cops...

replicant_argent · 02-22-2011, 05:53 PM

On the cops... just because I could.
Unmarked car out on the street in 3 or 4 different parking spots, no paint or decals on it anywhere, dark blue crown vic. Guy in a Gophers sweatshirt in the drivers seat tapping into a puter and on his phone, cam on the dash...(looked like a standard unmarked, I guess)

I wandered over to say "Hi" because he was directly in front of my house.
"What are you doing, checking speeds?" (there is a pretty high percentage of speeding on my street, I thought they might be studying it)
"Nope, something else."
And that is all he said. Which annoyed me. I am not usually a twitchy Gladys Kravitz, but...
So I called the non-emergency number, just to see if I asked what the hell he was doing (with the plate #) if they would tell me. She gave me to a dispatcher, I described an unmarked dark blue, no paint, no decals, no unit number, no gov plates car parked with a guy tapping into a computer for hours on my street and he just said "okay, we'll check it out." Of course I didn't mention the antenna pucks or anything.

Truly, curiosity killed the cat, and I thought it quite odd. The wife got an "administrative traffic citation" (read "revenue generation") the other day, and first thought is that he was doing this... He wasn't, and didn't stop any cars. Not that a dude driving a police car wearing a sports themed sweatshirt would.
Just odd.

Gophernut · 02-22-2011, 05:57 PM

Normally, I'd be on your side and say that he was probably up to no good. But you said he was wearing a Gophers sweatshirt, so he must be a nice guy. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt...

shark · 02-22-2011, 06:21 PM

I experienced something similar quite a few years ago. I was walking down the street late one night and noticed a suspicious car (Ford Taurus) parked with the interior light on. I walked past and kept going, when I noticed that they pulled away from the curb and began tailing me for a bit. I kept walking along casually and finally they turned around and left. They weren't delivering newspapers or anything. Weird.

kydsid · 02-22-2011, 06:27 PM

Might not have been a cop, might have been a fed. You gotta stop hiring those illegals to mow your lawn Pete.

replicant_argent · 02-22-2011, 06:31 PM

They couldn't reach the frozen lawn under the 2 1/2 feet of snow above it right now, AND I am one of those guys that likes doing it himself... It's a control issue. Still could have been a fed, but he didn't appear to be in contact with the black helicopters hovering behind the invisible dirigibles.

MedicCook · 02-22-2011, 06:31 PM

Good chance it was a PI.

Zeuceone · 02-22-2011, 06:33 PM

reminds me of that pastor that got shot by an undercover police officer. the pastor was having trouble with vandalism at his church. He then proceeds to approach the vehicle in the middle of the night that was parked in the church parking lot. seems the pastor was holding his hand gun and well it didnt end well. turns out the cop was doing a routine patrol of the neighbor hood due to the vandalism.

JaKaacH · 02-22-2011, 06:54 PM

Never trust a Gopher any farther than you can catapult one..

TBone · 02-22-2011, 07:07 PM

Good on you...I would have called from a pay phone and said I saw a suspicious persons peeping through my neighbors window then went back to the car to document what he saw...then I'd sit back and watch the fun stuff begin...just sayin

md4958 · 02-22-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

"Nope, something else."
And that is all he said. Which annoyed me.

Maybe he was from US Border and Customs Patrol Pete

replicant_argent · 02-22-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md4958

Maybe he was from US Border and Customs Patrol Pete

awsmith4 · 02-22-2011, 08:17 PM

Maybe he was part of the investigation chronicling the weird humming noises in your immediate area reported via internet forums

MajorCaptSilly · 02-22-2011, 08:39 PM

I wonder if my equipment is showing up with their equipment. Might be time to move on. Your life is quite ordinary anyway with the exception of the bunny slippers you wear every day,

MCS

replicant_argent · 02-22-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorCaptSilly

I wonder if my equipment is showing up with their equipment. Might be time to move on. Your life is quite ordinary anyway with the exception of the bunny slippers you wear every day,

MCS

Those are actual bunnies.

Wait, maybe it's the ASPCA.....

gettysburgfreak · 02-22-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md4958

Maybe he was from US Border and Customs Patrol Pete

aww man you had to go and bust on my guys lol. We do have plain clothes units though. And were actually called US Border Patrol. We dont like being associated with customs people.

CigarNut · 02-22-2011, 09:48 PM

Did he leave or otherwise change any behavior after your call?

elderboy02 · 02-22-2011, 09:53 PM

Maybe he was cruising for open wireless networks and stealing information from people?

icehog3 · 02-22-2011, 10:39 PM

Maybe he was on a stakeout or investigation and didn't feel the need to compromise it by detailing to you what he was doing?

Bruzee · 02-22-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Maybe he was on a stakeout or investigation and didn't feel the need to compromise it by detailing to you what he was doing?

Neens · 02-23-2011, 12:09 AM

I did this to a P.I once. He was out infront of my business taking pictures of the house/people one door down as well as my front area. The houses are very close and he couldn't help but get the front of my place in his shots. I went out there and asked him what was going on and he gave me an attitude. He was very rude, told me it was none of my business and that I should go back inside and leave him alone. So I called the routine calls number of the local police department, told them there was a strange man out front sitting in his car, take pictures of the front of my business and I was afraid that he might try to rob us. They sent down 3 cars which block him front, back and side and questioned him for a good 15 minutes before coming in and telling us that he was a P.I. on an insurance fraud cause. Everything could have been avoided if he was just a little nicer.

02-22-2011, 05:53 PM	#1
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Today I called the cops... On the cops... just because I could. Unmarked car out on the street in 3 or 4 different parking spots, no paint or decals on it anywhere, dark blue crown vic. Guy in a Gophers sweatshirt in the drivers seat tapping into a puter and on his phone, cam on the dash...(looked like a standard unmarked, I guess) I wandered over to say "Hi" because he was directly in front of my house. "What are you doing, checking speeds?" (there is a pretty high percentage of speeding on my street, I thought they might be studying it) "Nope, something else." And that is all he said. Which annoyed me. I am not usually a twitchy Gladys Kravitz, but... So I called the non-emergency number, just to see if I asked what the hell he was doing (with the plate #) if they would tell me. She gave me to a dispatcher, I described an unmarked dark blue, no paint, no decals, no unit number, no gov plates car parked with a guy tapping into a computer for hours on my street and he just said "okay, we'll check it out." Of course I didn't mention the antenna pucks or anything. Truly, curiosity killed the cat, and I thought it quite odd. The wife got an "administrative traffic citation" (read "revenue generation") the other day, and first thought is that he was doing this... He wasn't, and didn't stop any cars. Not that a dude driving a police car wearing a sports themed sweatshirt would. Just odd. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

02-22-2011, 05:57 PM	#2
Gophernut Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 1,661 Trading: (15)	Re: Today I called the cops... Normally, I'd be on your side and say that he was probably up to no good. But you said he was wearing a Gophers sweatshirt, so he must be a nice guy. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt... __________________ "My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." Thomas Jefferson

02-22-2011, 06:21 PM	#3
shark Cigar Smokin' Patriot Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ron Location: Michigan Posts: 3,584 Trading: (0)	Re: Today I called the cops... I experienced something similar quite a few years ago. I was walking down the street late one night and noticed a suspicious car (Ford Taurus) parked with the interior light on. I walked past and kept going, when I noticed that they pulled away from the curb and began tailing me for a bit. I kept walking along casually and finally they turned around and left. They weren't delivering newspapers or anything. Weird. __________________ Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds

02-22-2011, 06:27 PM	#4
kydsid Ditat Deus Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Jason Location: Among the Pines Posts: 2,361 Trading: (46)	Re: Today I called the cops... Might not have been a cop, might have been a fed. You gotta stop hiring those illegals to mow your lawn Pete. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

02-22-2011, 06:31 PM	#5
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: Today I called the cops... They couldn't reach the frozen lawn under the 2 1/2 feet of snow above it right now, AND I am one of those guys that likes doing it himself... It's a control issue. Still could have been a fed, but he didn't appear to be in contact with the black helicopters hovering behind the invisible dirigibles. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

02-22-2011, 06:31 PM	#6
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Today I called the cops... Good chance it was a PI. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

02-22-2011, 06:33 PM	#7
Zeuceone You're next Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: G Location: SoCal Posts: 1,737 Trading: (16)	Re: Today I called the cops... reminds me of that pastor that got shot by an undercover police officer. the pastor was having trouble with vandalism at his church. He then proceeds to approach the vehicle in the middle of the night that was parked in the church parking lot. seems the pastor was holding his hand gun and well it didnt end well. turns out the cop was doing a routine patrol of the neighbor hood due to the vandalism.

02-22-2011, 06:54 PM	#8
JaKaacH ROCK Chalk JAYHAWK K U Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Living in the golden age of ignorance in power. Posts: 1,363 Trading: (32)	Re: Today I called the cops... Never trust a Gopher any farther than you can catapult one.. __________________ --Anger Management Graduate-- WHAT the F^#% you looking at???

02-22-2011, 07:07 PM	#9
TBone Equal opportunity Bomber Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Paul Location: Virginia Posts: 2,508 Trading: (25)	Re: Today I called the cops... Good on you...I would have called from a pay phone and said I saw a suspicious persons peeping through my neighbors window then went back to the car to document what he saw...then I'd sit back and watch the fun stuff begin...just sayin

02-22-2011, 08:17 PM	#12
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: Today I called the cops... Maybe he was part of the investigation chronicling the weird humming noises in your immediate area reported via internet forums __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

02-22-2011, 08:39 PM	#13
MajorCaptSilly Sklee Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Mishawaka, IN Posts: 2,523 Trading: (30)	Re: Today I called the cops... I wonder if my equipment is showing up with their equipment. Might be time to move on. Your life is quite ordinary anyway with the exception of the bunny slippers you wear every day, MCS __________________ Pillsbury, Minneapolis, Prince, Spoon Bridge and Cherry, coinkydink?

02-22-2011, 09:48 PM	#16
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Today I called the cops... Did he leave or otherwise change any behavior after your call? __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

02-22-2011, 09:53 PM	#17
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,509 Trading: (133)	Re: Today I called the cops... Maybe he was cruising for open wireless networks and stealing information from people?

02-22-2011, 10:39 PM	#18
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,440 Trading: (60)	Re: Today I called the cops... Maybe he was on a stakeout or investigation and didn't feel the need to compromise it by detailing to you what he was doing? __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

02-23-2011, 12:09 AM	#20
Neens Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Anthony Location: Orange, CT Posts: 349 Trading: (21)	Re: Today I called the cops... I did this to a P.I once. He was out infront of my business taking pictures of the house/people one door down as well as my front area. The houses are very close and he couldn't help but get the front of my place in his shots. I went out there and asked him what was going on and he gave me an attitude. He was very rude, told me it was none of my business and that I should go back inside and leave him alone. So I called the routine calls number of the local police department, told them there was a strange man out front sitting in his car, take pictures of the front of my business and I was afraid that he might try to rob us. They sent down 3 cars which block him front, back and side and questioned him for a good 15 minutes before coming in and telling us that he was a P.I. on an insurance fraud cause. Everything could have been avoided if he was just a little nicer.