Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:00 PM Jan 2015

Can anyone, outside of the police, drive through a neighborhood at night and floodlight

the yards?

It's peculiar. This weekend an ordinary looking van drove through our neighborhood and blasted the yards with bright light as it slowly drove by. It was very selective about which yards it lit up. I had seen a SUV do this a few months back, but assumed it was the police. I'm not sure anymore because the van was selective about which yards it blasted.

It's a double curiosity because our streets are technically private, which means that even the police need permission to patrol our streets. (Well, that's how it works in a right-wing, fanatical property rights oriented community.)

39 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Can anyone, outside of the police, drive through a neighborhood at night and floodlight (Original Post) Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 OP
It could be ISIS plotting attacks on your "right wing , fanatical property rights oriented community isobar Jan 2015 #1
And why would a board member need to look for violations in the dead of night? Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #5
Being in the property management biz... isobar Jan 2015 #10
Oh, I absolutely believe you. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #13
Yes, such is rampant! isobar Jan 2015 #27
Lost pet? jberryhill Jan 2015 #2
Could be. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #6
That's the first thing I though of when I read the OP. nt branford Jan 2015 #34
Or a searching for Bigfoot reality show. n/t FSogol Jan 2015 #37
I have seen sarisataka Jan 2015 #3
That would make sense. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #12
there is probably a reasonable explanation sarisataka Jan 2015 #15
Thank you for acknowledging my concern. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #17
Security company patrolling properties of its subscribers? nt pinboy3niner Jan 2015 #4
Since we are a private HOA, it would have to pass the HOA's approval. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #8
You may not be an "insider". Even if you think you are. isobar Jan 2015 #11
I am definitely not an insider. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #14
Very typical. isobar Jan 2015 #29
Illuminati, no doubt PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #7
Thanks PeaceNikki. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #9
I would personally confront them. I have the right to Lint Head Jan 2015 #16
I'm not a physical confrontational type. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #18
haha, great name for a dog lol! unblock Jan 2015 #20
Ha! Lint Head Jan 2015 #21
I don't think I would confront unknown people in the middle of the night blackcrow Jan 2015 #30
taxi? pizza delivery? missing pet or teenager? unblock Jan 2015 #19
I've lived here so long that I have an eyebrow injury. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #22
Call the police and ask them. Taitertots Jan 2015 #23
I might do that. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #26
He's a TATEr and I'm a TAITer Taitertots Jan 2015 #32
It wouldn't be inappropriate to tell your local popo about the two events aikoaiko Jan 2015 #24
I have to figure out a discrete way to set up a camera to take snapshots of suspect vehicles. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #31
Looking for coyotes? Panthers? Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2015 #25
No to the big game. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #28
Your profile says you are in Seminole county. Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2015 #33
Didn't know it was that close. Thanks. Baitball Blogger Jan 2015 #35
All you need is the light JVS Jan 2015 #36
Get the license plate. File a disturbing the peace complaint with the police and State Police. FSogol Jan 2015 #38
Take your business down to Hamsterdam! Ykcutnek Jan 2015 #39
 

isobar

(188 posts)
1. It could be ISIS plotting attacks on your "right wing , fanatical property rights oriented community
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:03 PM
Jan 2015

Or it could just be a board member from the HOA looking for violations.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
5. And why would a board member need to look for violations in the dead of night?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:17 PM
Jan 2015

Wouldn't it make sense to strategically use the camouflage of daylight for that activity?

And, my HOA has sabotaged itself when it comes to enforcing ARB regulations. That's what happens when there's quid pro quo activity taking place on the board.

 

isobar

(188 posts)
10. Being in the property management biz...
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:21 PM
Jan 2015

I can tell you that such behavior by HOA board members would be nothing new. I have seen them don disguises in an attempt to "catch" another homeowner at something. People a fuckin nuts. Hell it may even be an act of intimidation. I have seen silly homeowner disputes rise to the level of attempted murder. No shit!

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
13. Oh, I absolutely believe you.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:25 PM
Jan 2015

Which is why I believe we need to keep bringing attention to the abusive things we see happening in our HOAs, because homeowners need help where these HOAs members are connected and colluding with other political factions in our cities.

sarisataka

(18,663 posts)
3. I have seen
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:12 PM
Jan 2015
taxis do it. They are looking for an address and when they see the first one might skip a few houses knowing that they need to go farther down the street.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
12. That would make sense.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:23 PM
Jan 2015

But this was no taxi. And after it did a partial scan of our neighborhood, it drove into a gated community where it spent an hour before leaving--assuming it was the first car that left after entering the development.

sarisataka

(18,663 posts)
15. there is probably a reasonable explanation
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:29 PM
Jan 2015

but until such as forthcoming it is very odd and worthy of note

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
8. Since we are a private HOA, it would have to pass the HOA's approval.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:19 PM
Jan 2015

Assuming, of course, that we're dealing with a normal HOA scenario.

But I don't think we have something like that available, or I would have received a flyer.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
14. I am definitely not an insider.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:28 PM
Jan 2015

They don't even bother to duly notice some of their HOA meetings. Since the nineties they are selective about who they invite to the preliminary meetings, and only notice a formal meeting after they feel they have a solid consensus to back up their decisions.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
9. Thanks PeaceNikki.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:20 PM
Jan 2015

If it's the police, I would hope to read something about this service in a city flyer. Haven't come across the information. So I'm going to keep inquiring.

Lint Head

(15,064 posts)
16. I would personally confront them. I have the right to
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:32 PM
Jan 2015

shine a light on the truth just as they seem to be doing. Of course I'm more of a confronting type of person.

 

blackcrow

(156 posts)
30. I don't think I would confront unknown people in the middle of the night
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:58 PM
Jan 2015

Some limo services have odd cars.

unblock

(52,253 posts)
19. taxi? pizza delivery? missing pet or teenager?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:41 PM
Jan 2015

plenty of innocent possibilities.

and the more nefarious ones are not so likely to draw attention to themselves.

personally, i'd raise an eyebrow but wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
22. I've lived here so long that I have an eyebrow injury.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:45 PM
Jan 2015

Here's me at my last doctor's appointment to fix the problem:


aikoaiko

(34,172 posts)
24. It wouldn't be inappropriate to tell your local popo about the two events
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:48 PM
Jan 2015


If you get a chance, shine a high lumen light back on them and record their plates.


Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
31. I have to figure out a discrete way to set up a camera to take snapshots of suspect vehicles.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 02:00 PM
Jan 2015

It really isn't feasible right now because I have no interest in logging every car that goes by, nor am I going to sit around and wait for something to happen. I'm more of a passive observer.

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,330 posts)
25. Looking for coyotes? Panthers?
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:49 PM
Jan 2015

They might have something with a collar radio signal and they are looking for it. Or just doing a study/ search.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
28. No to the big game.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 01:57 PM
Jan 2015

Nothing bigger than a raccoon around here for several years. However, now that I think about it, the police are not shy about sending helicopters overhead when they think something is afoot. They even came back for a second look when I was out walking the dog.

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,330 posts)
33. Your profile says you are in Seminole county.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 02:29 PM
Jan 2015

Google Seminole County and coyote.

You have them. We have them in Chicago. Coyotes are thriving in built up areas. They move and hunt at night. I've seen documentaries on studies and trapping in urban/suburban areas and it sure sounds like what you are dealing with.


http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/12/21/man_warns_neighbors_.html

WINTER PARK --
A Seminole County homeowner has a warning about coyotes for his neighbors.
He wants them to know he's lost his pet and several other animals on his property thanks to coyotes.
Charles Ickes lives in Winter Park on Dike Road, just north of Howell Branch Road, near Lake Howell.
“I’ve had ducks for 20 years and I’ve never had a problem like this,” Ickes said.
Animals just seem to be disappearing from his property.
“There have been about five cats missing in the neighborhood just within the last few months,” said Ickes.
And just a few days ago, Ickes’ family lost a beloved pet.
“Very friendly cat, fell in love with anybody who ever came on our property, never left the property, never had an issue.”
Ickes believes a coyote is to blame for attacking and killing his cat Emily, and he believes coyotes also killed several of his ducks as well.
“These animals can jump pretty high and I think they are just jumping over the fence,” he described.
“I’m just concerned someone might get bit, or get rabies, they are more aggressive than a dog.”
Ickes is worried about other animals on his property.
Florida Fish and Wildlife’s website states that hunting and trapping of coyotes is allowed on private property to get rid of them.
But Ickes said in his populated neighborhood, hunting would not be safe, and steel traps require a permit.
“The only way the state would get involved, if it actually hurt somebody, I think that’s the way it goes, but you’re on your own right now.”
Ickes says his mission now, is to warn his neighbors.
“They have to be concerned about their dogs and cats being outside now, and I’m very concerned about that because I just lost one of my best pets.”





http://www.wftv.com/news/news/video-shows-coyotes-may-be-hunting-cats-in-orlando/nD9h9/

Video Shows Coyotes May Be Hunting Cats In Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — When you think of coyotes, you might think of the Wild West, the desert, anywhere but near downtown Orlando, but Channel 9 has the video proof that coyotes are hunting near the Orlando Executive Airport (see map).




https://m.

Baitball Blogger

(46,736 posts)
35. Didn't know it was that close. Thanks.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 03:39 PM
Jan 2015

One of the most incredible things I saw back one cold winter night when I left food out for the birds, and obviously left too much, was a shot caught on my wildlife cam that had a racoon sharing the spoils on the ground with a possum. And in between the two was a domestic cat reclined in a relaxed posed with tail twitching. No question the three of them had become fast friends.

FSogol

(45,488 posts)
38. Get the license plate. File a disturbing the peace complaint with the police and State Police.
Fri Jan 16, 2015, 03:53 PM
Jan 2015

Claim you are worried that someone is looking for houses to burglarize.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Can anyone, outside of th...