Since its often cold in my apartment, I like to go outside and feel the warmth of the air on my skin, especially this time of year, when its balmy, not hot. There this one particular neighborhood I like to explore on foot. Nothing beats walking through this neighborhood while playing my iPOD. Although it is within walking distance from Downtown Orlando, it has a very calm atmosphere and I could safely explore it even at night. Lately, though, I have noticed some drivers in this neighborhood who display creepy behavior. For instance, some cars appear to slow down when I'm around. Last week, I noticed a car that drove slowly around the neighborhood over and over again.What I found creepy was that the driver seemed to drive even slower when he/she passed me. When I left, I saw the car leave the neighborhood. Nothing unusual has happened this week, so I think I'm okay. What bothers me, though, is that these cars always seem to have tinted glass, and I can hardly see the man/woman behind the wheel. Am I paranoid or is there a cause for alarm?
I've heard it said that we know when something is off in our environment. I'd consider calling the police station to let them aware of the strange behavior. Details are important to do so.
You're wise to feel uncomfortable. That kind of stalking behaviour may be "innocent" (checking to see if you might make eye contact, flash some skin - in other words, if you're a hooker) or not-so-innocent (trying to determine how much trouble you might present as possible prey). I'd advise avoiding the area at night, or at least, always vary your route. And keep your creep-detector on full alert.
its more than likely guys that find you attractive and slow down just to check you out, but its good to be cautious because you never know when one of those guys could stop and try something with you. I don't generally walk around at night because something like this usually happens. Females walking alone are like red flags to the type of guy that just cruises around to check out women. If it really freaks you out I recommend alerting the police so that they can patrol the area, and also maybe think about getting a dog or borrowing one from someone for your walks. I borrow my friend's german shepherd whenever I want to go for a night jog and the dog makes me feel completely safe.
I can assure you, I'm not a hooker. lol Yes, I often wear revealing outfits, but that's only because it feels nice to expose some skin to the air. I generally do not think I am attracting attention to myself, but I might be wrong. I think I might buy a stun gun. Despite what the media tells you, Orlando is not that dangerous, but I believe the time has come for me to get one.
write down the license plate and vehicle description and leave the note where someone will find it if you disappear
Surpisingly, one of the drivers was a woman, but the tinted glass prevented me from seeing what she was doing. I've actually walked alone in Downtown Orlando many times. I'm short and thin, so I guess its safe to say I'm an easier target than the average woman. However, I've always felt perfectly safe. But you're right. This incident might be wake-up call. Unforunately, I only know one person who has a dog, and its a twelve-year-old Beagle that's slightly overweight.
could be any of these.... Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States Coast Guard (USCG) Coast Guard Police (CGPD) Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) United States Border Patrol (USBP) Federal Protective Service (FPS) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) United States Secret Service (USSS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) Department of Justice (USDOJ) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Drug Enforcement Administration (since 1973) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) United States Marshals Service (USMS) Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Diplomatic Security Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Department of Commerce (DOC) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division (IRS-CID) Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) United States Mint Police (USMP) United States Treasury Police - merged into the US Secret Service Uniformed Division in 1986. Department of Defense Defense Criminal Investigative Service(DCIS) Pentagon Force Protection Agency Department of the Army United States Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID) United States Army Military Police Corps Department of the Air Force Air Force Office of Special Investigations (Airforce OSI) Air Force Security Forces Department of the Navy Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Office of Naval Intelligence Police (ONI Police) Marine Corps Provost Marshal's Office Department of Education Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations Office of Inspector General Department of the Interior (USDI) Bureau of Indian Affairs Police Bureau of Land Management Office of Law Enforcement & Security National Park Service National Park Rangers United States Park Police U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Central Intelligence Agency Security Protective Service (SPS) Federal Reserve Police Library of Congress Police National Security Agency Police (NSA Police) Smithsonian National Zoological Park Police United States Capitol Police (USCP) United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) United States Supreme Court Police Veterans Affairs Police and don't forget your local police. smile your being watched
I'll relay a short story. Not long ago I saw someone driving odd in the neighborhood. I was close to my truck so I just followed, at a distance. He drove up and down a few streets. Random like. It's not like he was looking for an address cause, well, how many streets do you need to drive, right? I saw him park so I parked behind like 1/2 block away. He never got out, sat there like 10 mins and then left. I kept following aways behind. I got a good description of the van and part of the license and turned away and phoned it in. Probably made little to no difference but, if something did go down it would be one more piece for the cops, and I felt better about it. Myself, I can't live on this planet and be worried all the time. I pay attention, and don't do stupid things. But I couldn't carry a gun, or stun gun, expecting something to do down. I honestly can't put myself in a woman's world and understand completely what that's like, so I can't blame someone for feeling insecure. Be safe and take precautions. Calling it in was good advice from my perspective. Peace :sunny:
could just be people smoking some weed and driving around hot boxing their car. and if they are slowing down then they are might be curious who you are or something. then again it could be criminals checking out the neighborhood thinking about robbing a house and looking for open garages or cars to break into and they see you walking around still after they look around for a while and decide they will get caught if they do anything. or it could be like some other guy said some guy looking for a hooker. or it could be some creeper who enjoys creeping people out. or a very bad guy thinking about taking you something. the thing is you never know. I would recommend buying pepper spray and carrying a small pocket knife or keys or something. sure you do not want to stab anyone but you are forced to if a guy tries to take you. just remember stab him in his eyes. and yeah if you do not like all the cars patrolling around the neighborhood just get your police stations number and call them up and tell them there are always cars at nighttime that just circle around your neighborhood several times and they seem sketchy. then the police will do a patrol around there sometimes and check things out.
Here is a small update. There has been no one displaying creepy behavior in the neighborhood, lately, so I beginning to think it was a false alarm. However, I purchased a stun gun and I carry it with me every time I step outside. If you're curious, it looks something like this: http://www.tbotech.com/talon-stun-guns.htm. It's small, but it packs a mean punch. I talked to my friend about it and he says it happens occasionally in his neighborhood. However, his neighborhood is in Ocoee and almost in the middle of nowhere. He believes the people who drive uncomfortably slow are suspicious of him and his dog. He's young, like me, except he has the look of a troublemaker. Also, the neighbors, he claims, throw a huge fit when a dog simply pisses in their lawns.
i suggest if you do not want attention, do not wander downtown area's by yourself. i'm a proper tough bloke and not even i walk in and around some areas on my town. i don't fancy being mugged, stabbed or electrocuted by a short, thin girl with a taser gun.
A fellow Floridian! I just moved down here Sept 2010. I'm in the Orlando area myself, and I can attest to some shadiness. Don't fret, just keep your eyes open. :mickey:
there is people with very bad driving habits but i think in most cases there drinking or ? something worse and the plate number of the strange car or truck should be reported
Snap a pic of the back of one of the vehicles with your cellphone camera or digital camera - maybe catch a license plate.
Yes, you are attracting attention to yourself, I'd slow down to look too. But really, as long as they don't stop or circle the block, it's probably no big deal just a natural reaction. Also, with that stun gun (or any other weapon you might use), you should figure out how you're going to carry it so that you can bring it into play before anyone knows you have it. If you're forced to use, then use it. Don't display it in the hopes that the person backs down. Blindside him with it and run.
