People sitting cars in front of your home?

Ugh. I am officially freaking out.

So, I went downstairs and as I passed by my door, I noticed a car parked right across from my townhouse (right behind my car, we have parallel parking along that side of the road). There was a person sitting there, with the window half down.

Which is suspicious. It's not normal for my community, plus it freaks me the heck out.

So, I watched for a bit, and took some pictures from an upstairs window just in case (b/c I suck at describing cars). But the guy saw me, and motioned at me from his car

And yes, my next step was to call the police... Police came, the guy got out of his car, and they chatted a bit... then the police left, and a couple minutes later, the guy left.

OK. I was still freaking out. Wondering if he was going to come back and vandalize my house or try to break in . My neighbor came home, and I went out side, chatted with him. Someone from our HOA drove by, stopped, and chatted. They both told me that I did the right thing, that people shouldn't be loitering like that, and if they live here, they can prove it to the police.

I'm still stressed, but OK. I'm glad that two people told me that I didn't over-react and that I did the right thing.

About an hour later... I'm back inside, and there's a car sitting in the same spot. I didn't see it pull up, and it *looks* like the same car (though I can't be sure). I'm trying to avoid getting too close to the window.

I don't get it. And, now I'm freaked out again. And I'm supposed to be getting stuff done for work... but I can't... because I'm freaked out.

Thoughts? Support? Help?

That happens at my house. They like slow down when I’m sitting at the window.
Or they pull to the curb in front of my house. My mom says it might be people who are lost or who are looking at directions.

I have cats who sit on their cat trees in front of the window. I’m wondering if some of the people who stop in front of the house have kids with them who like to see the cats. I did similar things when I was in the car as a kid.

Thanks Bozdickens. I have to admit, I'd want to stop and look at the cats. I also don't think it's unreasonable to pull over to make a call if you're lost, or check a map.

The car is gone again. I wish it didn't stress me out, but it does! I have to assume the guy was OK, or the police wouldn't have left (they left after talking to him, before he left). But I kind of wish the police would have knocked on my door and told me what was going on.... if the guy had a legitimate reason to be there, I would have been happy to apologize and to know why he's hanging around, so that I could be less suspicious/scared when I see the car again...

Ugh. So much stress. I'm glad the car is gone, but ugh ugh ugh.

Edit: I misread your post, I'm sorry! I thought you said that you had cats that sat in the trees OUTSIDE your house. Which is why I thought I'd stop for sure! ("Look! In the trees! Cats! OMG!") I wouldn't look in someone's window at their cats, that feels invasive to me!

OK - seriously. The car is back AGAIN. Like a minute after I wrote my last message. WTF!!? (I only looked because I heard a car door slam, and I wanted to see what was going on.)

Private investigator is watching someone? It’s creepy. Keep asking police whats going on

Thanks Divine... They're gone again, but I talked to the woman on my HOA, and she suggested the same thing, that I call the police back, let them know what happened, and ask what the result was from the visit. I had thought maybe it was an uber to pick up the guy who lives at the end of my building (he's not in good health and doesn't drive), and she called him to check - and nope, not it either.

They're gone now. But it's so unsettling. The police department is actually closed for the evening at this point, and I don't want to call 911 to ask about the report... so it looks like I'll be calling tomorrow morning.

It is creepy. I guess the only good thing is that the guy who got out of the car to talk to the police was younger and didn't look too threatening. But, it's still really incredibly stressful.

Thanks.

That would make me VERY uncomfortable, guilloche. I understand a driver pulling over to use the phone, or even to eat something, or check directions.

But what you've described sounds highly suspicious. There's no non-emergency police number for you to call 24/7? I'm pretty sure there should be.


Please do not hesitate to call the cops, even if you have to do so several times. That's their job. A car repeatedly parking there - it's weird, plain weird.

One other possible explanation is that this person's phone/computer has locked into a persons wifi that is unprotected and is using that position to use the persons downloads. Technically it is theft but it always pays to protect your wifi. Keep calling the police cause this is creepy. Maybe next time you could ask them to tell you the reason why so you don't have the worry of it.


Another thought - maybe this person is living in their car and feels safe to park it there?

Thanks Laurie and Possum... I'm really glad that I'm not the only one who would be uncomfortable. He's gone now and hasn't come back, but it looked like he might have picked someone up the first time (they had to turn around and drive past my house again, and I thought I saw someone sarcastically waving at me as they left - but my vision isn't very good and I was trying to not stand directly in the window, so I'm not sure).

It's so frustrating. We have 911 (which you are supposed to call even for non-emergencies, and that's 24x7), but the actual number to the police department is only answered until 5:30! So, I'll have to call tomorrow and see if they can tell me anything.

I have to leave tomorrow in the afternoon for therapy (and in the evening for piano lessons). They were parked right behind my car, so to walk to my car, I'd have to walk right in front of them. I hope they don't come back

I've wondered about the wifi thing too... frustrating to think about. I don't think they were living in their car. It was actually a decent car. Not fancy (as far as I could tell), but it looked like a newer model.

Ugh. It just sucks to have this all right in front of your house. Now I feel like I have to keep checking the windows and am worried about them coming back. I went out tonight to check my back door, and I can't unlock it from the outside (!) - the key doesn't work/fit. I've always had problems with it, but this means I can't park along the other side of the building and go in/out the back (which I'd like to do right now!)

Thanks...

It could definitely be that he was using someone's WiFi. I worked in a cafe for 13 years and every night after closing, and every morning before opening, there were always 4 or 5 parked cars using our WiFi. A surprising number of people don't have it and depend upon somewhere to get it.

At any rate, I feel bad for you. I hate creepy situations. I hope the person never comes back again.

Could it simply be the guy was pulled over to use his cellphone? Are you located on a street close to one with a higher volume of traffic? I do this when I get a call or need to use my phone. I pull off onto a side street so as to conduct my call or business.

The odd thing was, he returned to the same spot after leaving.

I am sorry you've been going through this.

It's no fun!

I've gone through this a lot over the years, as a part of my disability was paid by my former employer, so the insurance company supervising the company benefits had we checked out by private investigators, over and over and over again! 20 years later, they were still paying for an annual investigation. I live in a rural area, so investigators have been easy to spot.

One guy was overly aggressive in his investigations. So I'd sent my H out with a camera, very obviously taking pictures of the guy and his car! Wow! He did not like that!

Sometimes, investigators have been around, peering into the lives of various neighbors. I will spot them due to my hypervigilance.

When I have called the police, they have given me info. on what was going on, after they have checked it out.

I hope the car/person is now gone for good?

It can feel very invasive.


WC

Thanks Laurie, Justafriend, and Wild Coyote... I had so much trouble sleeping last night. I kept thinking of both sides of things... how hopefully he's a friend of someone here, and thus (hopefully!) not prone to come back and try to exact vengeance... or how he could be completely deranged and I could have made myself a target. I think I've learned my lesson, and in the future, I'll notice cars (I can't not!) but I'll jot down the time and just check from time to time, to see how long they stay, not stay visible in the window b/c I can't tear myself away.

Nothing happened last night, thankfully. And, he didn't return today. And, I didn't see any damage to my house or car. I even checked my tire pressure before leaving, and everything appears OK. So, that's a relief.

I'm just getting back from therapy and my therapist thinks it's OK. She was worried about me, but there are some good signs... when the police came, they drove past the guy, then turned around to park. While they were parking, the guy came out of his car and walked over (not in an angry way, although probably with some annoyance and frustration). My T pointed out that they likely scanned his plate when they pulled past him, and if he had priors, they would have taken him in. So, that's reassuring. And, also, that if he seemed suspicious and didn't have a good reason for being there, they would have made him leave immediately (the police left, and the guy stuck around for a few more minutes). Also, when they left... I was looking out the window, but standing back (so I didn't have a good view), but it looked like someone in the passenger side waved goodbye towards me (in what I assume was a fit of sarcasm). My T said, "well, they had a sense of humor!" - I'm not sure about that.

Honestly, I don't know what to think. If I were intending to get revenge on someone, I'd wait awhile... since I wouldn't want it to be obvious (especially after the police came out) that it was me. But usually waiting calms people down. So, who knows.

I hope he was annoyed, but went out and just vented with his friends, and then moved on to more important things.

I did call the non-emergency police number today, but it went to an answering machine! I left a detailed message, but no call back (and they're closed now). Which is incredibly frustrating.

Wild Coyote - that's awesome that the police would call you back and let you know what they found out! I wish they did that here! My phone actually did ring, but I screen calls (too many crazy people in my family) - so it's possible that they tried, but they should have left a message!

Oh, and yes, I'm right off a major road. But, it was weird that he came back - and he didn't look like he was making a call or looking at directions. If he was doing that, he probably wouldn't have noticed me at all! I think he must have been waiting for someone who lives here (there was a passenger in his car when he left, I think I saw him wave goodbye (?) when they drove past my home to leave).

Thanks everyone!!!

Thats what i would think. Or a workmans comp investigation. If the police came and left, i wouldnt worry anymore.

Personally if I think that some-one is parked near my place that I don't know I will turn my modem off so if it is a wifi thing then they won't be able to use it. I am password protected but who knows these days.

Fingers crossed they won't be back.

Thanks...

Unaluna, I don't think it was any kind of investigation, this guy looked really young and I think had a passenger when he left (so I think he may have been picking up a friend, but I'm not sure). The body language when he got out of his car to talk to the officer also didn't seem like, "I'm a professional and here doing a job" - it wasn't that matter of fact, if that makes sense. There was lots of gesturing, pointing up at my window, shrugging... they both were kind of tall with long arms (the officer and the man) - so they both seemed to be waving around their arms, not in an angry way, but trying to tell their stories.

Possum - Thanks! That's a good idea! I don't know how to turn off my wifi, and couldn't unplug the modem altogether b/c I work from home. I'm plugged in though, so if I could shut off just the wifi that would work. I need to look in to that this weekend I think, it sounds useful. Thanks for the idea!

And, just checking in - I'm still alive this morning. Nothing suspicious last night. I haven't checked the car yet, but hopefully all's well.

Thanks everyone!

One time, there were two guys sitting in a car outside of my house. I called the police and it turned out they were private detectives hired by the brother of the guy they were watching (my neighbor two doors up) because he thought the brother was stealing from the family business. If it was a hired detective, they need to register with the PD before going about their secret shenanigans.

Or, sometimes it's someone who tells the cops "I'm just chilling". I live on a dead end street and we have a bit of a problem with people parking and using drugs, especially during commute time. I once went out and threatened a group of teenagers who refused to roll down their window (hello, BP). My wife told me to knock it off. I don't even bother calling the cops. My town police are stiffs of the highest order. I went to the station to complain and they just said "yeah yeah yeah I'll tell the duty sergeant". We don't even bother calling - people come, park, and leave in 15 minutes. I just leave them alone now.

Guilloche - thanks for the clarification and the update. I have had you on my mind.

Are you able and would you consider getting a dog? While I haven't had the experience of someone lurking and loitering such as you have described I do live across the street from 'that' house in the neighbourhood. People come and go at all hours most of which are pretty sketchy looking. I am thankful then that I have a dog to keep me protected.

Wow, Row Jimmy - I'm sorry your local police aren't more responsive! Here, they had an officer out within a few minutes, I was impressed. Though they never did call me back (the records department) with any information about what happened.

The guy didn't return today either, so I'm starting to feel a little calmer. Like I said, I think I learned a lesson about being visible in the window. It sucks, I feel like I should be invisible up here on the second floor (but apparently my blinds are not very good at blocking people from seeing in!)

Justafriend - thanks for the suggestion! My T actually mentioned getting a dog too, and said that they'd had a police officer speak in their community, and he said that the houses with dogs were NEVER broken in to, bad guys just don't want to deal with it at all. Dogs were more effective than alarms, apparently!

I don't have any pets right now. I like dogs (and cats!) but I feel really nervous about being able to take care of one. I've never really had a pet as an adult. But, I'm thinking about it. Right now, I'm lucky that I mostly work from home, so that would be good... but there's some talk that someone in our "leadership" is complaining and wants my group to start coming in to the office. I don't know what's going to happen...

Oh, and my neighbor (shared walls) has two very yippy chihuahuas. She's very social and is out or traveling quite often, and they just bark and bark and bark non-stop[, especially when she's not there. I worry that if I had a dog, that might stress them out (and make them bark too). It feels a little unfair to put them in that position, but maybe I could find a super-chill, older dog that's used to living in close quarters?

A guy that I used to know had a rottweiler that was incredibly laid back and sweet. He brought her in to the office once. But, he said, the night somebody approached a window in his house... she put her paws up and just gave a scary, low growl... problem solved, lol.

So, I'm thinking about it!

Tape recording of dogs barking meanly?

guilloche, good for you for calling the police. I would have been freaked out too.

I had something similar happen years ago. I worked nights. Got home around midnight and there was some guy parked right at the end of my house. We lived on a single lane dead end dirt road. When I say he was parked at the end of my house, I mean like five feet from the house. I pulled right up to my front door and scurried in the house. Promptly called 911 about it. The IDIOT 911 operator asked if I'd gone out to ask the guy why he was parked there! I told her I was calling because his behavior was suspicious and I sure as shyte was not going out to ask him what he was up too.

They sent an officer out who talked to me then talked to the guy. The officer had to pound on the guy's window and shout at him. The guy drove to the neighbor's house. The officer came back to tell me the guy was drunk. He got as far as my house before he passed out behind the wheel. Guess I was lucky he didn't run into my house. It makes a funny story to tell all these years later, but scared the crap out of me at the time.

Since the cop left before the strange car, I’m guessing he was waiting to pick someone up that wasn’t ready, so he came back later.

Just a guess.

We have a multi-neighborhood fb group and once in awhile someone freaks out about a strange car. A lot of people guess real estate agents trying to get comparable for appraisals. They take pictures, it is alarming.

I took a pic of a scary empty van once that turned out to be people visiting a neighbor. Another beater car was housecleaners for a neighbor. If you start looking, you will notice more and more weird things.

You should call if something is suspicious.

Chihuahuas are the worst. We're thinking about adopting a dog and all the local shelter has are chihuahuas and pitbulls. The pits are sweet but I don't trust them. I think they have a switch in their brains that can short-circuit at any minute........kind of like me.

Maybe you can use the "Home Alone" technique. "I'm gonna give you to the count of ten to get your ugly, yellah, no good keister off my property........"

Ha, Unaluna - I like the way you think! I wonder if there's an app for that? It would be awesome to have a recording like that tied in to a motion detector on my front porch... someone comes up to my door, and the (fake) dogs go crazy!

LizardLady - ack! That would have freaked me out too. Could you see that he was passed out in the car when you drove by? I would have been scared to get out of my car, I think... and the fact that he was so drunk that he just stopped the car and passed out, omg. I hope they arrested him. He could have killed someone.

Key_Tones - I think you're right about him waiting for someone, and I haven't had any problems all week or this weekend (that I've noticed), so I think it's all over. That's funny about all the people you've noticed, I hadn't thought of how many different vehicles might be "visiting" the neighborhood on any given day.

Row_Jimmy - Ha! I'll have to remember that technique. And, yeah, Pit Bulls make me a little nervous too. I'm not really familiar with them, and as a first time dog owner, I'd guess they'd be a bit too much for me to handle anyway. But we've got a lot of them here in our shelters too. Poor things

Thanks everyone!