Home › Forums › Open Discussion › What to do about man sleeping in car…
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August 23, 2013 at 3:26 am #796087
JoBParticipantAugust 26, 2013 at 12:47 am #796088
FilbertMember“Settle down with your superiority and judgment and intolerance and wrap up in them like a warm blanket.”
OK, that was pretty funny coming from the most condescending, holier-than-thou, sanctimonious poster on this thread.
OK blbl. How about you PM your address to Svena, who will pass it along to the guy in question and he can set up camp in front of YOUR house? Seeing how you’re just SOOO morally superior to those who don’t want homeless people living a few yards from where they and their children sleep, you should jump at the opportunity to walk it like you talk it. Put up or shut up.
Svena, on the off chance that blbl is a complete hypocrite, do call the police. Not a 911, high priority deal, of course. Tell them the situation. Be sure to mention the possibility of a restraining order, the fact that car is not legally roadworthy due to windshield (which makes it illegal to move every 72 hours). How about the registration tabs? Does he have insurance? Is the car even in his name? All things of interest to the police who are tasked with protecting the safety of the public.
It’s a shame that the decisions this individual has made led him to being homeless (top of the list: having a child he can’t provide for), but that’s on him, not you. You should not be shamed in to thinking that there is something wrong with not wanting losers living in front of your house on the streets your taxes pay for. There is probably a valid reason the grandparents don’t want him around.
August 26, 2013 at 2:22 am #796089
JanSParticipantpoint of order here…it is pure speculation that he may have a restraining order against him. No one knows, not you, not I, not the OP. Sadly, down the road speculation becomes truth, and we all start making ASSumptions, without knowing what the truth really is.
The non-emergency # for the police is 625-5011. They would tell you where to go from there.
August 26, 2013 at 2:27 am #796090
twobottlesParticipantOther than the fact that he is sleeping in his car and is visiting someone nearby, EVERYTHING else that people have posted is pure speculation. Thanks Jan for pointing out something that everyone should understand.
August 27, 2013 at 4:24 pm #796091
JoBParticipantWhat i find saddest are the comments from those who would exploit any legal option to prevent a man from doing what he has a legal right to do…
simply because it makes them uncomfortable..
have you ever spent the night in your car? it can assure you that with a few rare exceptions, it isn’t comfortable. It’s not a choice you make just to save a few bucks on socially acceptable rent.. It’s a choice you make out of necessity.
with luck, those who are made so uncomfortable by that necessity will never have to experience it..
with luck.. because you would be surprised at how quickly everything you have can disappear when life’s unpleasant realities .. like job loss or illness.. intrude.
August 28, 2013 at 6:15 am #796092
WorldCitizenParticipantThank you, JoB.
August 29, 2013 at 3:39 am #796093
FilbertMember“What i find saddest are the comments from those who would exploit any legal option to prevent a man from doing what he has a legal right to do…”
There is no legal option for preventing someone from doing what they have a legal right to do.
You’re contradicting yourself.
If he doesn’t have the legal right to do what he’s doing, then that should be addressed. If he does have a legal right, the police can’t do anything but wish him a nice day.
I have no problem admitting that a homeless guy setting up camp and living 50 ft from my children’s bedroom makes me uncomfortable. The fact that his tent happens to have wheels is the only thing that makes it quasi-legal. If his car isn’t properly registered, insured, and street-worthy, then it isn’t legal.
Interesting that the compassionate souls aren’t falling all over themselves to bring the guy over to THEIR house. If you’re so sad, JoB, hook the guy up….or would that make you uncomfortable? Nothing is stopping you. Step up. Solve the problem and make everyone’s day.
I actually have spent many nights in my car. It never once even crossed my mind to park anywhere near someone’s house, their neighborhood, their children. Perhaps that’s why I have no patience for this guy, He is forcing others to participate in his problems.
August 29, 2013 at 4:07 pm #796094
JoBParticipantFilbert..
didn’t your momma teach you that playing fair is far more satisfying than winning by any means possible?
at the heart of that lesson is the real definition of entitlement… feeling entitled to use any means possible to solve what you perceive as your problem.
the only way anyone is forced to participate in the problems of car campers is if those campers cross the line and cause physical or financial harm.
up to that point.. it’s all about entitlement .. and i am speaking of homeowners, not car campers.
“Interesting that the compassionate souls aren’t falling all over themselves to bring the guy over to THEIR house. If you’re so sad, JoB, hook the guy up….or would that make you uncomfortable? Nothing is stopping you. Step up. Solve the problem and make everyone’s day.”
sorry dude.. you threw that gauntlet at the wrong woman.
stop by some day i will gladly share with you the tales of street people i have “hooked up” with services.
some of them are success stories.. some of them are complete failures… too many limp along somewhere in the middle…
but every one of them knows that someone cared enough about them as human beings to actually stop and talk with them.
i’d do the same for you.
August 29, 2013 at 6:25 pm #796095
kgdlgParticipantI am of the mind that it is possible to be compassionately concerned for this individual and to discuss this with him “hey buddy, you ok, I noticed you living out here for quite some time?” and at the same time, appropriately questioning what his circumstances are and potentially calling the cops to inquire with him, and maybe plug him into some services, if he is indeed down on his luck. JoB, I agree with you almost 100% of the time, but I feel that it isn’t necessarily “entitlement” to have concern or alarm over someone living in a car on your block for an extended period. It is appropriate to understand why he is there and to find a way to help him.
August 29, 2013 at 11:27 pm #796096
JanSParticipantso….this thread was started a week ago. Has anyone spoken with this man yet? Has anyone done ANYTHING? Or do we just get to talk about him on here. If you have contacted him, let us know how it turned out.
August 29, 2013 at 11:40 pm #796097
GenHillOneParticipantWhy on earth would the OP come back to report after the reaction received? I’m sure the neighbors will handle it the way they see fit and don’t owe any of us a thing.
August 30, 2013 at 12:12 am #796098
JanSParticipanthey, simmer down…I was just curious :)
No one owes anyone anything on here, including what you just said !
August 30, 2013 at 12:27 am #796099
shed22ParticipantI’d like to know. BTW, I would have called the police to inquire what steps could be taken without me being directly involved. Just as it has been said, you don’t know what you are dealing with. The guy could just be down on his luck or could be a crazy with a gun. You just don’t know. Better be safe and let the professionals handle it.
August 30, 2013 at 12:36 am #796100
GenHillOneParticipantI have no idea what that’s even supposed to mean, Jan, but at least three people have mentioned how long the thread is, a lack of action, etc. I’m saying that the OP could have already taken steps, but might not feel like coming back to the thread.
August 30, 2013 at 12:57 am #796101
trimParticipantYa’ll realize that he probably isn’t parked in front of said girlfriend’s house because of this supposed restraining order? I’m pretty damn sure that you can ask for a restraining order that prevents people from being 50, 100, 300 feet around you. A lot of you people are pretty disgusting with your comments, chat with the guy ask him to move if it bothers you that much. If you’re really that afraid of the guy then just go over to him with someone else and keep your stuff calm. Definitely have to agree with not wasting the cops time because you’re too lazy to talk with someone. Too many of you are too ready to throw another person under a bus, it’s fcuked up to say the least and it makes me wish that others have/will do it to you in the future. /thread
August 30, 2013 at 1:11 am #796102
shed22ParticipantI would err on the side of caution when dealing with people I don’t know. Double fold if they are auto-camping in front of my home. There is nothing wrong with being cautious and careful.
August 30, 2013 at 1:30 am #796103
trimParticipantWell, in this world there are leaders and followers. My decision would to go talk with the girlfriend and her parents to see why the guy is camping out in front. Then work it out from there.
August 30, 2013 at 5:12 am #796104
FilbertMember“stop by some day i will gladly share with you the tales of street people i have “hooked up” with services.”
So you have contacted the individual in question and offered to let him park in front of your house? Great! Problem solved. You have actually done that, right? You can walk out to his car and regale him with your stories, night after night. I’ll bet he has free time to listen.
No perception difficulties here. It isn’t my problem, the guy didn’t set up shop in front of my house. At least he’s made one good choice…..
“chat with the guy ask him to move if it bothers you that much. ” Read the initial post. Someone already tried that. Didn’t work.
Here’s what happened the other time someone wasn’t too ‘lazy’ to try it: https://westseattleblog.com/2013/08/west-seattle-crime-watch-encampment-attack-suspect-jailed
It is hilarious how people are ‘saddened’ and ‘disgusted’ by calling the police to report suspicious activity. Have you honestly never heard of neighborhood watch?
“Why on earth would the OP come back to report after the reaction received?” Exactly! The shaming and scorn the poor woman received is what was truly saddening and disgusting here.
Yes, I am entitled to feel safe in my own home and neighborhood. (notice how you used your entitlement to free speech to make ‘entitlement’ into a dirty word?) A homeless man setting up camp for over a month, 50 feet from my sleeping children does not make me feel safe. There is no shame in that. Ask Elizabeth Smart’s dad about it.
August 30, 2013 at 5:26 am #796105
JanSParticipantFilbert…we all feel saddened at times by posts on here. I do right now at your snark…imagine that :)
August 30, 2013 at 4:29 pm #796106
JoBParticipantFilbert..
how could i personally contact the individual in question when i don’t personally know the OP or where they live?
you require me to cruise the streets of West Seattle night after night to find this one car camper and deal with him to prove … what?
how would i even know when i had accomplished that task? Do you have any idea how many car campers there are right now in West Seattle?
i post my contact information here regularly enough that anyone who wants to contact me to ask me to go talk to THIS camper can find me to do so. i am perfectly willing to go talk with them.
it turns out that i know the car campers in my neighborhood and have spoken with most of them.
when i can , I help them find the kind of services that got them off the street…
that’s enough for me..
and i am puzzled as to why you should think you can demand more from me.
I am out actually doing something to keep your community safe…
yet all that inspires in you is anger?
You say you are entitled to feel safe in your own house.
That isn’t exactly true…
you are entitled to BE safe in your own house…
being frightened by something that is outside your norm is not grounds for persecuting people who are not breaking the law…
and FYI, in my opinion, scheming to get a person’s home impounded for a cracked windshield is persecuting them… and.. it’s ineffective. Depriving someone from their home is likely to make you less safe.
strangely enough, i talk with strangers and give them my personal contact information so i can follow up with them
and i still feel safe in my home.
If i speak with anyone and they make me feel uneasy because i observe actual suspicious behavior, i report them to the police.
the funny thing is that the people who make me feel uneasy after speaking with them invariably move along within minutes of contact.
speaking with people is not only a kind policy, it’s effective.
imagine that … a holier than thou do gooder like me advocating an effective policy…
that should make heads roll ;->
August 30, 2013 at 4:32 pm #796107
EdSaneParticipant..I just wanted to add recently I encountered a homeless (most likely mentally-handicapped) individual making a racket outside of my apt (around 3am). I spoke with him in a manner I would anyone else. At the end of the conversation as he was about to lay down and sleep. I suggested he move 30 feet south to avoid being woken by sprinklers in the morning. He didn’t bother me and bit and I didn’t waste my time with the SPD (who I honestly felt would have escalated the situation rather then deal with it appropriately)…All in all, these are case by case situations. Dissecting them over the internet with little information (mostly speculation from un-involved parties) and an OP who doesn’t follow-up is all pointless. I’d say let it rest.
August 30, 2013 at 7:54 pm #796108
blblParticipantI am fascinated by this topic and the reactions to it because I think it reflects a troubling trend of criminalizing poverty. It’s not a new trend by any means, but it’s one that is more prevalent and acceptable as the middle class disappears. Just the fact the first reaction to this situation was to call the police illustrates that the poor are viewed as having fewer rights than the wealthy. And poor = dangerous. All the information we have so far shows that this man has done NOTHING illegal. Even if he has a restraining order, the fact that he is apparently complying with it by not parking in front of his girlfriend’s parents’ house shows that he is complying with the law. And please know that even if a restraining order exists (which is pure speculation), it does not mean that he ever committed a crime. You do not have to have committed a crime in order to have a protective order against you.
The fact that people feel they even have a right to ask him to move along is disturbing. Perhaps I should call the police because my neighbors have a broken-down fence. Obviously they need social services if they can’t afford to maintain even the lowest standard of care for their home. I think I heard somewhere that the reason they have a broken fence is because they’re cooking meth inside all day. I find it “uncomfortable” to walk past the broken fence every day. I hate having to explain the broken fence to my children and visitors. And the poor folks trying to sell their house across the street from the broken fence house? Good luck!
August 30, 2013 at 8:47 pm #796109
trimParticipantFilbert, When you get a small cut on your arm do you call 911 for an ambulance to take you to the hospital? Sounds dumb doesn’t it? Absolutely the same dumb thing if you jump to calling the police without talking to the guy or finding out more information.
August 30, 2013 at 9:56 pm #796110
JoBParticipantblbl
“The fact that people feel they even have a right to ask him to move along is disturbing. Perhaps I should call the police because my neighbors have a broken-down fence. Obviously they need social services if they can’t afford to maintain even the lowest standard of care for their home. I think I heard somewhere that the reason they have a broken fence is because they’re cooking meth inside all day. I find it “uncomfortable” to walk past the broken fence every day. I hate having to explain the broken fence to my children and visitors. And the poor folks trying to sell their house across the street from the broken fence house? Good luck!”
LOL.. with delight. exactly!
August 30, 2013 at 10:05 pm #796111
anonymeParticipantThere are assumptions being made on both sides, and NEITHER side has been verified as accurate. The only entity qualified to make an appropriate judgment is SPD.
I’ve been too close on several occasions to nearly identical “live and let live” situations that ended in homicide. I will always, as it is my right to do, err on the side of caution.
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