Huh?

[JustGeorge]

This might be an option:
Turn an old phone into a free wireless security camera in minutes.

It's a free app that lets you turn an old phone (even a broken phone as long as the camera's still working) into a security camera.

You have kids, I'm going to guess you have a broken phone or two lying around.

The app is in the Google Play store and has a 4.8 star rating.

Sorry you guys have to deal with this crap George.

Of course we have broken phones around here... its an ocean of them. That's a really good idea!

Try contacting a local news station. They eat stories up like this.

This is also a very good, and creative idea.

 

[Spiderman]

I'm certainly glad you are alive and kicking.

This sounds stupid, but maybe the best thing you can do is pray to your God of war and Durga, for protection.

I have found that spirits, Kami, have intervened and helped me, when medical professionals, police officers, or guards in a correctional facility never would have done anything.

In jail, a guy wanted to fight me, got in my face and asked to fight, then got transferred for attacking some one else, hours later. I had a dream shortly after, of that same inmate telling me "she's looking out for you".

It sucks for the other inmate he attacked, but for some reason that was the way the Kami protected me, as much as it didn't work out for someone else.

In that same jail stay, I came very close to getting in another fight, that was likely to turn into a fight. The inmate asked me to come into his cell and fight him. Later that night he was transferred to another unit. It seemed highly unlikely the timing was all by chance.

Recently, one guy had been rude to me, was sitting next to me, another guy said some insults to me that I would have reacted to, had my arm not come out of socket recently.

Immediately afterwards, one guy spilled water on the table, the other guy insulted him, the guy that spilled the water got up shouting at him, was escorted out, it was almost a fight, the attention completely shifted away from me, it seemed very convincing that something supernatural was involved, a Divine hand of protection. I went to Capitol Hill and gave thanks.

It isn't necessarily going to turn out well for others, how the supernatural protects you, maybe even use conflict, disaster, or violence between others to protect you, but it still could potentially be good for them, and undoubtedly protection for you.

 

[JustGeorge]

I'm certainly glad you are alive and kicking.

This sounds stupid, but maybe the best thing you can do is pray to your God of war and Durga, for protection.

I have found that spirits, Kami, have intervened and helped me, when medical professionals, police officers, or guards in a correctional facility never would have done anything.

In jail, a guy wanted to fight me, got in my face and asked to fight, then got transferred for attacking some one else, hours later. I had a dream shortly after, of that same inmate telling me "she's looking out for you".

It sucks for the other inmate he attacked, but for some reason that was the way the Kami protected me, as much as it didn't work out for someone else.

In that same jail stay, I came very close to getting in another fight, that was likely to turn into a fight. The inmate asked me to come into his cell and fight him. Later that night he was transferred to another unit. It seemed highly unlikely the timing was all by chance.

Recently, one guy had been rude to me, was sitting next to me, another guy said some insults to me that I would have reacted to, had my arm not come out of socket recently.

Immediately afterwards, one guy spilled water on the table, the other guy insulted him, the guy that spilled the water got up shouting at him, was escorted out, it was almost a fight, the attention completely shifted away from me, it seemed very convincing that something supernatural was involved, a Divine hand of protection. I went to Capitol Hill and gave thanks.

It isn't necessarily going to turn out well for others, how the supernatural protects you, maybe even use conflict, disaster, or violence between others to protect you, but it still could potentially be good for them, and undoubtedly protection for you.

Yes, I've said a few prayers to Maa Durga today, specifically for protection(its Navaratri now, too, so hopefully she's feeling up to defending her devotees).

Oddly, I don't feel scared. My husband admitted to being terrified at one point, and I was very surprised, but I didn't feel an ounce of fear. If they actually do break and enter at any point, they'll find a 160 lb dog standing there. And as they're distracted with that, and her trying to love them to death(because she's a lover, not a fighter), the little brown mutt will calmly be buttering bread in the kitchen and quietly come out and make a sandwich of them(she's not a lover of strangers).

I figure I've fought off attackers before, and I'm stronger and meaner now, so I think I could do it again. But I feel miserably for all the other neighbors, some with children, some elderly. They shouldn't have to wake up and fear for safety. I feel quite angry about the situation, really. If they were just squatting over there, it wouldn't bother me at all. Heck, I might leave some PB&J on the doorstep(we all gotta eat). But this isn't acceptable. And I'm frustrated at the response from the police not only because I feel they should be better looking after us, but because I live in a crime ridden city full of people taking things into their own hands. It seldom works out so smoothly.

I'm glad you've got the Kami to watch out for you.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I feel disappointed that the police are encouraging citizens to 'do it yourself'.

For lack of better (from me) advice here is some bad advice: make friends with the police or with their friends. Friends help friends. Make friends then ask friends for advice.

 

[JustGeorge]

For lack of better (from me) advice here is some bad advice: make friends with the police or with their friends. Friends help friends. Make friends then ask friends for advice.

I'm really bad at making friends. Any advice(good or bad) on how I'd accomplish that?

 

[Brickjectivity]

No, but surely when there is evidence of a crime in progress. Which trespassing would be?

I recall recently several news stories about homeowners being arrested in their own yards. The police presumed they had trespassed because some neighbors had phoned it in. Those police persons got into trouble for making the assumption. That might explain the reticence to take a neighbor's advice about whether the property is being trespassed.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I'm really bad at making friends. Any advice(good or bad) on how I'd accomplish that?

I also am not great at making friends, however I am learning tricks that help:
1. Like them with your state of mind not using judgment based upon rational facts. They will feel welcomed or at least respected.
2. Believe you are cool. Don't be afraid that they might judge you, because this will show up on your face as dislike, disdain, fear, anger or one of the rejecting looks. Believe you are cool, and you are. Cool is and always has been a state of mind. Believe you are cool, and people will feel welcome in your presence. Coolness is not about what people say about you or their judgements and is not even about your accomplishments or worth. It is a choice. Promise yourself "I will believe I am cool. I will practice believing this to make it true." This is being cool. It is a state of mind that no one can give you or take. Yes your worth matters and your accomplishments, but even the most accomplished and worthy people can feel uncool. That is not what makes you cool. You just believe you are. I know it sounds wrong, but its true.
3. Look like them as much as possible but don't be them. Wear clothes they approve of. Go places they approve of. They want to feel accepted, so this is one way of accepting them. Everyone is hurting, and most everyone has a delusion that they need your acceptance. You can't really give them coolness, but you can show the way.

 

[JustGeorge]

I also am not great at making friends, however I am learning tricks that help:
1. Like them with your state of mind not using judgment based upon rational facts. They will feel welcomed or at least respected.
2. Believe you are cool. Don't be afraid that they might judge you, because this will show up on your face as dislike, disdain, fear, anger or one of the rejecting looks. Believe you are cool, and you are. Cool is and always has been a state of mind. Believe you are cool, and people will feel welcome in your presence. Coolness is not about what people say about you or their judgements and is not even about your accomplishments or worth. It is a choice. Promise yourself "I will believe I am cool. I will practice believing this to make it true." This is being cool. It is a state of mind that no one can give you or take. Yes your worth matters and your accomplishments, but even the most accomplished and worthy people can feel uncool. That is not what makes you cool. You just believe you are. I know it sounds wrong, but its true.
3. Look like them as much as possible but don't be them. Wear clothes they approve of. Go places they approve of. They want to feel accepted, so this is one way of accepting them. Everyone is hurting, and most everyone has a delusion that they need your acceptance. You can't really give them coolness, but you can show the way.

Well, that explains a lot. I do the first two pretty well, but that last one... Ha! Nope, nope, nope, I blow it there. I'm nothing if not original. That must be why I fail so miserably in the social sphere.

So, if I want to befriend the cop, I should get a buzz cut and wear navy blue, perhaps hang out at the gas station.. well, that will prove interesting.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Well, that explains a lot. I do the first two pretty well, but that last one... Ha! Nope, nope, nope, I blow it there. I'm nothing if not original. That must be why I fail so miserably in the social sphere.

So, if I want to befriend the cop, I should get a buzz cut and wear navy blue, perhaps hang out at the gas station.. well, that will prove interesting.

Yes, that is my bad advice exactly! You should get a buzz cut, wear navy blue and hang out at the gas station. I'm glad I could help.

 

[JustGeorge]

Yes, that is my bad advice exactly! You should get a buzz cut, wear navy blue and hang out at the gas station. I'm glad I could help.

Ironically, I'm wearing navy blue today... I've been to the gas station, too. Now I just need to find some buzzers, and I'll have the entire force eating out of the palm of my hand in no time.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Ironically, I'm wearing navy blue today... I've been to the gas station, too. Now I just need to find some buzzers, and I'll have the entire force eating out of the palm of my hand in no time.

Yes. I promise it will work, and I know what I'm talking about since I'm the one saying it.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Ironically, I'm wearing navy blue today... I've been to the gas station, too. Now I just need to find some buzzers, and I'll have the entire force eating out of the palm of my hand in no time.

Ah, JustGeorge. I pulled an old back injury. For a day and a half I've been recuperating while employed, and I'm taking pain killer. Your interesting situation has been entertaining, however I want you to know I feel deeply sorry that you are struggling socially. That is one of the worst kinds of pain. I know so many people that are hurting. You, however, have your marriage and your kids and your RFers.

 

[JustGeorge]

Ah, JustGeorge. I pulled an old back injury. For a day and a half I've been recuperating while employed, and I'm taking pain killer. Your interesting situation has been entertaining, however I want you to know I feel deeply sorry that you are struggling socially. That is one of the worst kinds of pain. I know so many people that are hurting. You, however, have your marriage and your kids and your RFers.

I'm sorry you hurt your back. Back pain is miserable stuff.

I mean it genuinely when I say I'm glad to have entertained you. Sometimes once the urgency of some of this stuff has passed, I laugh at it, too. I asked a favored deity once "is this your idea of a joke?" I got a very firm 'yes'.

I actually did get ahold of the owners today after digging for numbers more deeply. I got the wife, who was very concerned about the situation and apologized profusely. She sent her husband over, who couldn't care less. His answer was to get more lightbulbs, and was quite agitated that my husband talked to him(normally if a person in the neighborhood tries to talk him when he's doing maintenance, he runs to his car and drives away). So next time the squatters come, they'll have a well lit house to welcome them, until they use the switches to shut it all off.

I'm thinking of taking my guitar over there and playing/singing on the porch tonight. That oughta drive 'em off.

 

[Bird123]

I'm left wondering what the purpose of our local police department is.

I will be the first to tell you that I'm here(meaning, alive) because a police officer intervened. I have always been aware I got lucky that that gentleman was on the shift that night, because not all officers are so diligent. However, I'm feeling a little confused and disturbed at moment after a scenario tonight.

As some know, we've dealt with some local thugs using the vacant house next door as their 'headquarters' to rob the neighborhood. It seems like a never ended game of see the turds, call the cops, cops come, nothing happens.

Apparently, they can't go in because the squatters lock the doors after themselves(even though you can see people in there, and lights flashing). However, I'm feeling particularly discouraged after tonight; the cops could see a person peeking out the window. The commanding officer jiggled the doorknob and said "sorry, locked. Can't go in." Huh, what? What do you mean you can't go in? "Need a search warrant." Even the other officers looked confused as to why they weren't going in, but didn't have the 'rank' to do anything.

We've dealt with this commanding officer before; he's rude, and tends to insult concerned citizens in the area. (My husband was watching last time this happened from the porch, and the guy guy screamed "did I give you ****ing permission to come outside?" My husband pointed out he was on his own property, and not bothering anything.) My husband asked tonight "so what do we do now?" the guy simply told him "buy a gun and protect your family."

WTF?

Now, a gun is not safe in this house. I have two kids with special needs and feisty and defiant ways, and I am fairly certain a gun in this particular household would go badly(sorry, gun enthusiasts, I'm not here to debate my *personal* situation regarding gun ownership). Not to mention, ideally you can shoot in self defense, but property lines are so close here(this house is ten feet away from ours), I can see that being an issue should someone be killed.

Besides, who wants that on their back?

I feel disappointed that the police are encouraging citizens to 'do it yourself'.

Do you feel this is appropriate? If the law states this is fine, should it remain that way? What purpose do the police serve in your area? What purpose do you feel they should serve? If you're not a US citizen, how would the reporting of an incident similar to ours go in your neck of the woods?[/


If the house is vacant, maybe you can find and contact the owner of the house. If the owner says strangers are in their house, a search warrant won't be needed.

Tax records should know who owns the property. You might even find that the owner might appreciate someone looking after their property.

That's what I see. It's very clear!!

 

[JustGeorge]

I did find the owners, and talked to the wife. She cared very much. Her husband didn't care at all, and seemed angry that we'd disturbed him.

In the event it happens again(and I'm sure it will), do you think it would go over well to have the police contact the wife? (I saved her number.)

 

[Wildswanderer]

To my ears, “buy a gun and protect your family” sounds like code for “you’re on your own, pal”. Which I would consider a very worrying message to hear from a cop. In your shoes, I’d consider escalating my concerns to the town council, mayor’s office or whatever. Don’t forget your taxes pay these cop’s wages (don’t ever tell them that to their faces though).

Well the truth is, the police do not exist to protect you.
That would actually be impossible.
They are more there to solve crimes after they happen.
So in that sense we're all on our own.

 

[Stevicus]

Sure...but that would also be the case if it were a teacher, a doctor, or a priest. Well...maybe a priest. Ahem.

Actually, to amend what I said earlier, I would think that if a police officer actually witnessed an act of abuse, then they would likely be empowered to arrest the parent right there on the spot, at which point CPS would be called to pick the child up. But in cases of suspected abuse, it can get a bit dicey.

I think it's still debateable from a legal standpoint. But I might be wrong, as there is a high degree of variance amongst jurisdictions.

A Police Camera That Never Tires Stirs Unease at 1st Circuit | Courthouse News Service

Interesting article. It appears the legal beagles haven't quite reached a consensus just yet. Also, this wouldn't necessarily prevent the cops from doing it. The court's only role in these matters is to decide whether or not to accept the evidence obtained in such a search or surveillance. I've never heard of a cop actually being punished or put in jail for an illegal search.

J. Edgar Hoover put surveillance on a lot of people, not so much for hard evidence to be used in court, but just general intelligence gathering. That's why he was so powerful, because he pretty much had dirt on everyone.

 

[JustGeorge]

Well the truth is, the police do not exist to protect you.
That would actually be impossible.
They are more there to solve crimes after they happen.
So in that sense we're all on our own.

I thought other branches dealt with the solving of crime(I could be wrong).

Of course, they don't exist to protect anyone. They have their own lives. It just, in my mind, seems that the function of the job description 'should' be protect and serve.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Well the truth is, the police do not exist to protect you.
That would actually be impossible.
They are more there to solve crimes after they happen.
So in that sense we're all on our own.

Then why do they have To Protect And Serve written on their cars?

 

[Wildswanderer]

Then why do they have To Protect And Serve written on their cars?

"Neither the Constitution, nor state law, impose a general duty upon police officers or other governmental officials to protect individual persons from harm — even when they know the harm will occur,” said Darren L. Hutchinson, a professor and associate dean at the University of Florida School of Law. “Police can watch someone attack you, refuse to intervene and not violate the Constitution.”

The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the government has only a duty to protect persons who are “in custody,” he pointed out."

To Serve and Protect,” is a phrase made famous by the Los Angeles Police Department and adopted, in various forms, by law enforcement agencies across the United States.

What is the motto of the LAPD?

To Protect and to Serve
Our motto “To Protect and to Serve” is not just a slogan – it is our way of life. We will work in partnership with the people in our communities and do our best, within the law, to solve community problems that affect public safety. "

To me this sounds far different than claiming the police have the obligation to protect individuals. As I said before, protecting each individual would be impossible logistically. You are responsible for protecting your own family and yourself.

What does it mean to serve and protect? – AnnalsOfAmerica.com