So I live in my van. I bum internet from places with open networks. I have the password to a private network (RV Park I used to stay at), and I was using it. I was parked on a Public street, next to a field, RV park, and a storage facility. I usually go there at least once a day, if not more (walk the dog, bum internet, wait to go to work). So I'm sitting there at about 730 PM, and all of a sudden I see a cop pull up behind me. I think "oh great, he thinks the van is abandoned." He gets up to me, and asks what im doing (as I have laptop in my lap). I tell him I'm using the internet and ask if I am doing something wrong. He says "Your van is a little suspicious, and I've recieved complaints about it. You need to leave." (*sidenote, the van is late 80's, blacked out windows, typical creepy van, but not too bad*) I tell him the van doesnt look suspicious to me, and that at least I dont have "free kandie" written on the side, and he just says something about the storage manager complaining about my van, and needing to leave, and not coming back EVAR. Is there some mystical hidden law that I'm unaware of, where I can not park on a public street and stay in my van using internet? If I go back tomorrow, can I get in trouble? I know this is a legal question, but it doesnt involve marijuana. Please move if it needs
Well, I'm pretty sure if you're making the storage manager uncomfortable, they do have a right to complain, and the cops do have a right to ask you to move.
I'm not exactly sure, but I am pretty sure that if he told you to leave and not come back, he can give you a ticket for coming back. Honestly, regardless of whether you're doing anything shady or not, you still look like you are and are still bringing attention to yourself and should expect more of the same from other business owners.
Just pick a different place, brah. Fuck that cop, too. Good luck, man. If you have some info on living in your van, I would like to hear. As you know, I am leaving town soon, so lemme know what up, brah.
The other business owners are as follows: Creepy storage unit guy, who lives at the storage facility (called cops) RV Park manager, Lives in a truck camper at the park. Sleazy hotel folk: have drug dealers, hookers, and at least 2 murders a year.
I do believe that if in a vehicle (I was) and summoned by the police, you have to at least crack the window and give them your info (license, insurance, etc)
According to my boyfriend who is a lot more knowledgeable about the law than me, he can't legally do anything to you. You can keep parking out there and unless they can find anything illegal, you'll just have cops coming to check up on you all the time.
dark curtains.....just pop your head out if a tow truck shows up sorry I dont have a real answer....but around here they could probably only bother you with parking by-laws...or loitering
Dude, don't challenge oinkers by yourself. You can't possibly win no matter what you think your rights are. And for God's sake don't let the oinkers find out you live in a vehicle, they'll chase you out of town with tickets and harrassment. Even if the cops don't have a specific legal act to nail you on, they can find all kinds of reasons to screw with you. Any time I ever drew cop attention, I split and never went back for more. You never know when you'll get one who happens to have some heroin he wants to plant in your van. Cops DO break the law to teach people "lessons". CF
As long as you have the proper paperwork, that it is a public street or road, the road offers a legal place to park, your not there beyond a city ordnance time limit then frankly his hands are tied. Now he has the right to ask for id, insurance, registration and maybe under the "reasonable cause clause" he might search the van. He might try the "lawful order of a police officer" but you can when he starts this state his request is not lawful, no law is being broken ect. In the end sadly cops and judges are but buddies, you may win but after your arrested ect and unless you find a bored lawyer willing to try to score a lawsuit buck your begging to be fucked with becasue cops are pricks. I would have sought his name and badge number and filled a complaint in the morning stating location and what took place.
As long as you're not on private property you should be ok. The worst he can do is fuck with you about loitering, but that's about it. If he gives you shit about bootlegging wifi, their signals become public domain after they leave the property of their originator. That's what happens when you don't secure your network, as you probably know. OTOH you're stealthing. If the cops know you're there, you're not being stealthy enough. Ya gotta ask yourself, is 12-48 hours in the tank with your vehicle and all your shit out there fair game worth making a point to a cop with an attitude?
"Oklahoma City has an ordinance prohibiting crowds from obstructing streets and sidewalks under § 50-7 of the municipal code. Oklahoma City does not have an ordinance concerning loitering." "Oklahoma City has an ordinance under § 30-31 of the municipal code prohibiting persons from trespassing on public or private property. Trespass includes the violation of a request to leave, duly posted signage, or identified hours of operation."
So if he tells you to go, you go. He can't arrest you for being on a public street, just for not leaving when he tells you to. Get better stealth skills or park at a friend's house.