Are we getting too paranoid?

[redwitch]

A landscaper stopped by a house on Fenwick to see how the yard was doing. He was in his personal vehicle. He got out of the car and pulled a few weeds and left. As he was leaving via the Sanibel gate, the police came roaring in. The police turned around and pulled him over. They had gotten a call that two black men had been checking out the house.

To say the landscaper is upset is putting it mildly. No one asked him what he was doing at the house although he felt it was pretty obvious since he had not been near the house itself.

So, were people being good neighbors in calling the police? Would they have called the police had this been two white men in the yard? What would you have done?

[kittygilchrist]

Too little info to say, no harm done, better safe than sorry. Report anything that looks wooky.

[VT2TV]

It was a bad idea for the landscaper to just stop by anyone's house in an unmarked car, and just start doing anything in the yard. No one should be in your yard doing something without your knowledge. I don't care who they are or what color they are. He made a bad decision, and I certainly hope that if any of my neighbors see someone , even pulling weeds , who did not have a identified car, they would contact the authorties. Anyone could pretend to be doing something useful to get a neighbor feel like he is might have a right to be there, and then keep moving toward the house. An experienced robber, or worse could be in and out of that house in mere minutes. You didn't mention-not that it would probably matter--but was this in broad daylight, mid-day, or late afternoon? In a perfect world, this may have been very innocent, but so much has happened that we all should have potential danger on our minds.

[Average Guy]

A landscaper stopped by a house on Fenwick to see how the yard was doing. He was in his personal vehicle. He got out of the car and pulled a few weeds and left. As he was leaving via the Sanibel gate, the police came roaring in. The police turned around and pulled him over. They had gotten a call that two black men had been checking out the house.

To say the landscaper is upset is putting it mildly. No one asked him what he was doing at the house although he felt it was pretty obvious since he had not been near the house itself.

So, were people being good neighbors in calling the police? Would they have called the police had this been two white men in the yard? What would you have done?

How do you know that the person who called the police said it was two black men?

[sunnyatlast]

Maybe the neighbors don't have white guilt.

Maybe they called police because the guy's behavior looked suspicious.

My neighbors would call police regardless of color. They wouldn't care if somebody thinks it's 'racist' to call police when it's a black guy. They have the sense to speak up about suspicious behavior by ANYBODY unknown in the neighborhood, to guard against one of us being a victim of home invasion and worse during the night.

[redwitch]

Before five p.m. Don't know if the homeowners knew the landscaper was dropping by or not.

Remember, he did not go near the house. People could see him checking the plants and pulling the weeds. Kind of hard to check the inside of the house from the yard.

I guess my problem is that a few years ago, none of this behavior would have been considered out of line here. Instead, the landscaper would have been given kudos for checking on his work and yanking some weeds while he was at it. It's a sign, to me, that we are getting just a little less friendly.

And, again, did the color of the landscaper factor into the police being called rather than just going over and asking him? Obviously, the landscaper feels that his skin color was the main factor in the call being made, not his behavior.

[redwitch]

The police specifically told him that they were told that it was two black men in a Honda Civic.

[graciegirl]

Before five p.m. Don't know if the homeowners knew the landscaper was dropping by or not.

Remember, he did not go near the house. People could see him checking the plants and pulling the weeds. Kind of hard to check the inside of the house from the yard.

I guess my problem is that a few years ago, none of this behavior would have been considered out of line here. Instead, the landscaper would have been given kudos for checking on his work and yanking some weeds while he was at it. It's a sign, to me, that we are getting just a little less friendly.

And, again, did the color of the landscaper factor into the police being called rather than just going over and asking him? Obviously, the landscaper feels that his skin color was the main factor in the call being made, not his behavior.


I think that you are making too much of the fact that he is black. Anyone who is not a villager is rather apparent. I think that one is always better to be safe than sorry.

After the robberies, if you see someone around that doesn't look like they live there, send someone to see if they should be there. I think it odd for a landscaper to "check his work" and pull "a few weeds". In seven years no landscaper has done that at our property. They come, they work, they leave.

Sometimes people are too cautious and sometimes people are not cautious enough.

[VT2TV]

I could not have cared less what color the people were, but I am disappointed that race is the first thing out of a black persons mouth whenever anything happens. There are times, I admit when it might be an issue, but not all the time. I have equally heard black people who say horrible things about white people . Both sides of the race issue have a lot to learn and let go. A long time friend of mine, who is black, has always said something that I will never forget, and it would be a good lesson for us all.... Race is like a pile of shi*. If you keep it stirred up, it is going to keep smelling. But if you just forget about it, it will eventually dry up and blow away. Have you ever noticed kids in kindergarten or even a little older? They don't even know what race is. They have friends of all colors and races. They hug all the kids equally, they are best friends, until they grow up a little more and start to hear people saying things about race, and how everyone hates people who are different. It's all over the news, they see it on Tv. People just need to let it blow away.......and it has to start somewhere.

[maybe]

I could not have cared less what color the people were, but I am disappointed that race is the first thing out of a black persons mouth whenever anything happens. There are times, I admit when it might be an issue, but not all the time. I have equally heard black people who say horrible things about white people . Both sides of the race issue have a lot to learn and let go. A long time friend of mine, who is black, has always said something that I will never forget, and it would be a good lesson for us all.... Race is like a pile of shi*. If you keep it stirred up, it is going to keep smelling. But if you just forget about it, it will eventually dry up and blow away. Have you ever noticed kids in kindergarten or even a little older? They don't even know what race is. They have friends of all colors and races. They hug all the kids equally, they are best friends, until they grow up a little more and start to hear people saying things about race, and how everyone hates people who are different. It's all over the news, they see it on Tv. People just need to let it blow away.......and it has to start somewhere.

"...I am disappointed that race is the first thing out of a black persons mouth whenever anything happens." Okay, but in this case there is nothing in the posted version of the event that indicates the landscaper ever mentioned race.

[Barefoot]

A landscaper stopped by a house on Fenwick to see how the yard was doing. He was in his personal vehicle. He got out of the car and pulled a few weeds and left. As he was leaving via the Sanibel gate, the police came roaring in. The police turned around and pulled him over. They had gotten a call that two black men had been checking out the house.

To say the landscaper is upset is putting it mildly. No one asked him what he was doing at the house although he felt it was pretty obvious since he had not been near the house itself.

So, were people being good neighbors in calling the police? Would they have called the police had this been two white men in the yard? What would you have done?

In answer to your question, yes, I think we are getting too paranoid.
I guess I'm a minority of one. I would definitely NOT have called the police.
I might have watched someone who looked out of place, to see what they were doing.
If he pulled weeds, I would have assumed that he was under contract to the homeowner to pull weeds on the lawn.
If he looked in the windows and tried to open the lanai door, I might have been concerned.
But he was only pulling some weeds.
I think it's a big over reaction to call police on a man who stops and does some gardening.
I don't blame the landscaper for being upset.

[JaniceOhio]

You've got to be taught to hate and fear
You've got to be taught from year to year
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a different shade
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be carefully taught.

"South Pacific" .... 1949

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnY-Ft7F9eo

[Bonanza]

While TV might be considered America's Friendlest Hometown,
I have found there to be a fair amount of prejudice within
politics, religion and definitely with racism.

Unfortunately, the dye is cast and will never change;
those who are infected are too old!

[Deseylou]

What would have happened if they had been up to no good?
The house broken into and ransacked
The neighbor thought they were harmless because they were just pulling some weeds
I'm not sure what the solution is

[lynxville]

Since when do two landscapers drive around looking for weeds on property they work on. Sounds fishy to me. No advertising on the car to attract new customers. No uniforms to identify who they are. To be perfectly honest I wonder how many people that service your pool, your yard, inside your home, case your place for future burglary? You tell the landscape company yes I'll be gone for 5 months, ding, ding, ding. There's a lesson in this that the landscaper should of had a uniform on to identify who he works for, a sign on the vehicle identifying the company. Not a professional way to run a business.

[Cisco Kid]

They still could be scouts for evil doers, with a good cover story.

[Taltarzac725]

A landscaper stopped by a house on Fenwick to see how the yard was doing. He was in his personal vehicle. He got out of the car and pulled a few weeds and left. As he was leaving via the Sanibel gate, the police came roaring in. The police turned around and pulled him over. They had gotten a call that two black men had been checking out the house.

To say the landscaper is upset is putting it mildly. No one asked him what he was doing at the house although he felt it was pretty obvious since he had not been near the house itself.

So, were people being good neighbors in calling the police? Would they have called the police had this been two white men in the yard? What would you have done?

Get the license plate number and take down a description of the men and their car would be a better solution. Also ask the home owner about the landscaper they have.

A lot of the landscapers who work in the Villages are minorities. I do believe a little paranoia is healthy in this world but so is common sense. There are more reasonable approaches to this situation like taking notes about license plate numbers. You can even use a cell phone to take pictures of the car, men or women, etc.

[bkcunningham1]

Last week, I was on Eastfield Path and saw a man standing around an unmarked, beat-up looking car parked on the road beside a house. I was in my golf cart and doubled around the street a few times and watched him from a safe distance. IMHO, he was acting very strange and had a large machete on his side. As I was getting ready to call the police, a neighbor's garage door went up and a couple came outside.

I went over and asked them if they knew what the guy was doing. They said they wondered the same thing when he came the day before. But it turns out he was doing some weeding and landscaping. I wasn't going to go over to a man with a machete hanging on his side and ask what he was doing in someone's yard. If the neighbors hadn't come outside when they did, I would have called the police without flinching.

It is instilled in me to call the police when I or someone else needs help, or if I see someone doing something that could cause harm to another. If I had called the police I know they would have asked for a description of the man and the vehicle. I would have gladly told them the color of the car and the man-who btw was white .

[Madelaine Amee]

In answer to your question, yes, I think we are getting too paranoid.
I guess I'm a minority of one. I would definitely NOT have called the police.
I might have watched someone who looked out of place, to see what they were doing.
If he pulled weeds, I would have assumed that he was under contract to the homeowner to pull weeds on the lawn.
If he looked in the windows and tried to open the lanai door, I might have been concerned.
But he was only pulling some weeds.
I think it's a big over reaction to call police on a man who stops and does some gardening.
I don't blame the landscaper for being upset.

No, Bare, we are a minority of TWO! I have a gardener, she actually owns the company that cuts my lawn and does trimming etc. She comes to my home once a month to weed and clean up my flower beds, she works both in the back and the front of my home and she drives an unmarked truck! No one has ever called the police while she is on my property.

[quirky3]

Bonanza and JaniceOhio, excellent points!!:BigApplause:

[graciegirl]

You've got to be taught to hate and fear
You've got to be taught from year to year
It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a different shade
You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught before it's too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught
You've got to be carefully taught.

"South Pacific" .... 1949

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnY-Ft7F9eo


That is if you were deciding that they were up to something because of color.

If someone gets their feelings hurt because someone reported them because they are walking around a yard without bags for weeding, without trimmers, without some kind of landscaping equipment driving an unmarked car, they are going to have to get a little bit tougher.

Sometimes people's political correctness goes way too far.

AND to those naysayers, we aren't talking about the song above and what it means, we are talking about a situation that if someone was purple with stripes would raise some questions, IN THE LIGHT of recent burglaries.

Remember last fall what that young pest control guy saw two young guys and they had an unmarked car and one was walking around in someone's yard and the pest guy called the sheriff? Would you like me to link you to their mugshots?

[quirky3]

That's one of the nice things about this forum - all viewpoints are welcome, and we can agree to disagree.

[wudda1955]

And, again, did the color of the landscaper factor into the police being called rather than just going over and asking him?

To answer this question, you'd have to ask the person who called it in. The majority here seem not to care--they would have called no matter the race of the person involved.

[graciegirl]

After you read people's opinions for awhile you learn to expect certain views and attitudes. I know people aren't surprised by what I say most of the time and I am not surprised by what you say Quirky and what Redwitch says.

I doubt that your views will change what I think and my views will change what you think.


Yesterday there was a mugshot on the online news of a young man of 21 who was arrested for stealing a large amount of things from a home in Lady Lake. He had beautiful features and could have been a male model, his face was young and beautiful and I thought how shamed his mother must be. I could not understand how a young, healthy and very handsome young man couldn't just work to take care of what he needs in life.

If my grandchildren worked here in The Villages as landscapers, I would tell them to put something on their car to identify themselves and to avoid doing anything that could be construed as entering a property without an obvious purpose.

And if they didn't and the police were called to question them, I wouldn't feel sorry for them.

That is the difference. I don't expect anyone to act in anyway that I would not expect from myself, my children or my grandchildren. You have to learn to live in the real world.

[BobnBev]

Why is it that some people always bring race into a discussion. Is it just to stir the pot?

[shcisamax]

About six months ago, in the midst of the robberies, two men got out of an unmarked little truck and were looking around at the landscaping of my neighbor. They pulled a few weeds and then as they were getting in the truck, my friend and I asked what they were doing. They said they were from Massey. We took the license plate and called the police who said to call community watch. Meanwhile my friend called Massey who said they have no vehicles without the Massey logo. When someone asks you to describe someone, honestly, instead of saying he has black hair and brown eyes, don't you think it gives a better description to say he is African American? (And yes, if he had green or blue eyes say African American with green or blue eyes). If you just say he has black hair and brown eyes, well, that sort of doesn't give a very good description, does it. If someone were asian, would you leave out that piece of info? It has nothing to do with being racist and all to do with giving the best description you can.
As it turned out, they were from Massey but hadn't had their truck painted yet. But, I am all for being safe than sorry. Sometimes, the bad guys are just scoping out the neighborhood in general. I would call again in a heartbeat.

[sunnyatlast]

No, Bare, we are a minority of TWO! I have a gardener, she actually owns the company that cuts my lawn and does trimming etc. She comes to my home once a month to weed and clean up my flower beds, she works both in the back and the front of my home and she drives an unmarked truck! No one has ever called the police while she is on my property.

One incident with one call to the police--in a city of 105,000--about what happened to be a black man behaving suspiciously is hardly reason to stereotype and label everybody else a bigot, and then declare oneself and another as the only two here who are loftily not bigots.

In fact it seems quite bigoted to me to assume the neighbors wouldn't have called police on a caucasian man doing the same thing.

Nobody knows what everybody thinks individually in this city or on this forum.

[TheVillageChicken]

When you call the police to report a suspicious person, they will ask for a description. They will always ask what race the suspicious person is. Nothing to see here folks...move along.

[MarkinMd]

I recently ( 10 months ago) retired from a police department. I know I've told people thousands of times if they see something that they believe is suspicious call immediately. Do not wait until the person(s) leave. Those few minutes are many times the difference in solving a case or not. Most people told me they didn't want to waste the police officers time. Again, call immediately. And yes in fact most of the times their wasn't anything to it, but I would much prefer responding to a call like that than a burglary or worse.
Also , in the above case the person was 100 % correct to call the police. I have arrested many burglars that used deception techniques. Knocking on doors with clipboards selling whatever, car out of gas, etc.
The fact that he was hired and checking on the weed conditions doesn't mean anything. He could be pulling weeds and breaking into homes. It still sounds suspicious to me.

[sunnyatlast]

i recently ( 10 months ago) retired from a police department. I know i've told people thousands of times if they see something that they believe is suspicious call immediately. Do not wait until the person(s) leave. Those few minutes are many times the difference in solving a case or not. Most people told me they didn't want to waste the police officers time. Again, call immediately. And yes in fact most of the times their wasn't anything to it, but i would much prefer responding to a call like that than a burglary or worse.
Also , in the above case the person was 100 % correct to call the police. I have arrested many burglars that used deception techniques. Knocking on doors with clipboards selling whatever, car out of gas, etc.
The fact that he was hired and checking on the weed conditions doesn't mean anything. He could be pulling weeds and breaking into homes. It still sounds suspicious to me.

thank you!

[Way2Old]

No markings on vehicle, no uniform, wondering around on someone's property...if you are not comfortable with inquiring as to why they are there, call the authorities. This has nothing to do with race, with the recent break ins, it's prudent.

[perrjojo]

I don't think we are "too" paranoid but I do think we are MORE paranoid. That seems justified due to the recent break ins in TV. Only the person calling 911 can say if the call was made due to racist views. Saying that the suspects were black is just a matter of description. If they were white I would also mention that they had black, Brown, blonde or red hair....a part of their description.

[Barefoot]

One incident with one call to the police--in a city of 105,000--about what happened to be a black man behaving suspiciously is hardly reason to stereotype and label everybody else a bigot, and then declare oneself and another as the only two here who are loftily not bigots.


Calm down, no-one called anyone a bigot. That's your word, not mine.


Most people told me they didn't want to waste the police officers time. .... call immediately. And yes in fact most of the times their wasn't anything to it, but I would much prefer responding to a call like that than a burglary or worse. .... in the above case the person was 100 % correct to call the police. I have arrested many burglars that used deception techniques. Knocking on doors with clipboards selling whatever, car out of gas, etc.

Thanks for the perspective from a retired police officer. Good advice.
In future, based on your knowledge and comments, I might call the police.

[redwitch]

Thank you for the input. Gracie, don't faint but in this case I sorta agree with you. It had little to do with race but a lot to do with paranoia. As I said, he did not go near the house itself, he was not acting in a stealthy manner, he was not there long enough to be seriously casing the house or neighborhood.

As to landscapers going back to check their work, I expect landscapers to come back and make sure all is growing properly. I've called many landscapers to check a certain plant to make sure it is okay and ask that they give me a call after checking.

And, yes, I agree signage on a vehicle is important but I can understand not thinking about it when doing a quick check. At the same time, I feel there are times when it is far better to have no signage. Do you really want the whole world to know your house is empty because your home watch people have signs advertising what they do on their car and cart when checking your home?

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I am having a covered pergola built in the rear yard of my CYV and last week one of the workers decided it was ok to come by for some of his things. I have repeatedly told them that they must call first because I have a locked gate. He did not call and I have no way of knowing if he rang the door bell because I wasn't home, but what I do know is that he and his friends jumped over my fence/gate and came into the yard to do what they wanted and then jumped over it again to exit. (They admitted it to the company and I saw things in my yard moved and they left empty water bottles behind). I don't think any of my neighbors saw them do this, but if they had I would have wanted them to call the police. I was furious that they did this and see this as a personal violation and breaking into my yard without permission. I have spoken to the company I hired but the point is, if my neighbors had seen it I would have WANTED them to call the police. I would have done it if I had seen it happen to a neighbor, even if I knew they were getting a structure built. I think that is VERY suspicious behavior. Just because I am having work done doesn't mean they didn't come back at some other point to rob me. I would rather be paranoid than sorry. I learned the hard way years ago that your safety is much more important and you can always apologize if need be.

[Taltarzac725]

Thank you for the input. Gracie, don't faint but in this case I sorta agree with you. It had little to do with race but a lot to do with paranoia. As I said, he did not go near the house itself, he was not acting in a stealthy manner, he was not there long enough to be seriously casing the house or neighborhood.

As to landscapers going back to check their work, I expect landscapers to come back and make sure all is growing properly. I've called many landscapers to check a certain plant to make sure it is okay and ask that they give me a call after checking.

And, yes, I agree signage on a vehicle is important but I can understand not thinking about it when doing a quick check. At the same time, I feel there are times when it is far better to have no signage. Do you really want the whole world to know your house is empty because your home watch people have signs advertising what they do on their car and cart when checking your home?

Good point, redwitch. I have seen unmarked cars of people hired my neighbors to watch their places. It is usually the same person with the same car for certain neighbors.

Community Watch does drive bys at various times of the day. Not sure if they know who is out on vacation and/or snowbirds and who is not.

[duffysmom]

I am having a covered pergola built in the rear yard of my CYV and last week one of the workers decided it was ok to come by for some of his things. I have repeatedly told them that they must call first because I have a locked gate. He did not call and I have no way of knowing if he rang the door bell because I wasn't home, but what I do know is that he and his friends jumped over my fence/gate and came into the yard to do what they wanted and then jumped over it again to exit. (They admitted it to the company and I saw things in my yard moved and they left empty water bottles behind). I don't think any of my neighbors saw them do this, but if they had I would have wanted them to call the police. I was furious that they did this and see this as a personal violation and breaking into my yard without permission. I have spoken to the company I hired but the point is, if my neighbors had seen it I would have WANTED them to call the police. I would have done it if I had seen it happen to a neighbor, even if I knew they were getting a structure built. I think that is VERY suspicious behavior. Just because I am having work done doesn't mean they didn't come back at some other point to rob me. I would rather be paranoid than sorry. I learned the hard way years ago that your safety is much more important and you can always apologize if need be.

I so agree with you. Over the years I've heard stories about workers coming back to a home they worked in and robbing or even worse, assaulting the home owner. I'm very proactive when I see something suspicious. The harm done by calling the police is far less than the harm that could be done if I ignored it and someone is hurt. Welcome to Paradise LTBD

[tomwed]

Where did this story appear?

[redwitch]

Didn't appear anywhere. Just had a very upset landscaper call me after being stopped. I just wanted some feedback by others. When I first moved here, most would have waved at the landscaper and then went about their business. About five years later, a neighbor probably would have watched the individual to see what was being done. Sadly, today I guess the thing to do is to call the police. The Villages really has changed.

[DeanFL]

Didn't appear anywhere. Just had a very upset landscaper call me after being stopped. I just wanted some feedback by others. When I first moved here, most would have waved at the landscaper and then went about their business. About five years later, a neighbor probably would have watched the individual to see what was being done. Sadly, today I guess the thing to do is to call the police. The Villages really has changed.


I'm afraid the COUNTRY has changed - or certainly not improved.

Look at the national news this morning - another cop/teen shooting/killing. Of course the media is all over this again - and of course because it was white<>black.

Would have hoped that after the '08 election race relations would have improved dramatically. Nope, and I blame the White House and the Media. Both fuel those fires. Our poor country. As for us in The Villages, we should all watch our neighborhoods no matter the color. Oh - this matter would not have made the news or ToTV if the landscaper was white. Here we go again...

[redwitch]

Didn't make the news anywhere that I know of. However, I would have asked the question about the paranoia regardless of the race of the landscaper. I did wonder if race had anything to do with the police being called but it seems the majority here would have found his actions suspicious regardless of skin color. Glad I don't quite think that way.

[mickey100]

It seems unbelievable to me that happened. The poor landscaper. He must think people in the Villages are a bunch of nuts.

[tomwed]

In a small town everybody knows everybody. You don't need to dress the part or have a vehicle with the name of your company on the side. My dad was the local electrician. He was born there. He was Jack the electrician.

When he got jobs in the city or warehouse jobs he had to dress the part, wear the toolbelt, wear the company shirt and drive the truck with his business name on the side. Otherwise people are going to bother him all day. He would look suspicious.

I thought all contractors knew that.

[mickey100]

Pulling weeds isn't suspicious activity.

[manaboutown]

:agree:I recently ( 10 months ago) retired from a police department. I know I've told people thousands of times if they see something that they believe is suspicious call immediately. Do not wait until the person(s) leave. Those few minutes are many times the difference in solving a case or not. Most people told me they didn't want to waste the police officers time. Again, call immediately. And yes in fact most of the times their wasn't anything to it, but I would much prefer responding to a call like that than a burglary or worse.
Also , in the above case the person was 100 % correct to call the police. I have arrested many burglars that used deception techniques. Knocking on doors with clipboards selling whatever, car out of gas, etc.
The fact that he was hired and checking on the weed conditions doesn't mean anything. He could be pulling weeds and breaking into homes. It still sounds suspicious to me.

:agree::agree:

Many criminals use deception. There have been so many recent daylight burglaries pulling weeds would make an excellent cover, particularly if perps or their buddies worked as landscapers. They could be checking to see if anyone was home, if neighbors were observing, whatever. Their not working from a company truck gets my antennae up.

BTW, why isn't it politically incorrect to describe the car, in this case a Honda? The police need descriptions in order to check things out. It is common sense to provide as complete a description as possible. Duh!

[tomwed]

Pulling weeds isn't suspicious activity.

No but " He was in his personal vehicle."

I don't know if he was wearing his Company Shirt. But I would. Don't you see it all the time in the movies whenever some team, good guys or bad guys want to blend in? You dress the part.

It's only an opinion, not meant to hurt anyones feelings or push any buttons.
sorry

[rubicon]

Too many people are using the term paranoid when what the caller did was out of precaution. Residents are warned continually to be cautious and on the look out to guard their and their neighbors property.

Because our society is so conditioned whenever the issue of race is drawn into a conversation it is always followed by racist from some.

In this case how can one describe the suspects without describing their age height sex color, etc. In that same light describing the year color and model of the vehicle one doesn't find that it is followed by see the guy hates Honda's"

I really feel sorry for contractors, vendors ,sales people etc who are taking the brut of all this because some in their employ are in violation here. but not let's forget we have a few residents who can be included in these horribles.

I know who cuts my lawn and I trust him. I trust the guy who helped me with my new HVAC. I trust my lawn and pest control guys. I trust the guy that does my overhead doors. I trust them because I made it my business to get to know them as people. But it is human nature or should be to trust but verify.

As I was leaving my house Tuesday to go out for lunch I noticed a Lawn Scaper and his passenger in a white pickup pulling his equipment behind him following me . I will admit I watched to see if he pulled from my street and then onto the next and then onto the next. I thought for a second that perhaps I should go around the roundabout and back to my home to check to see if all was good. I resisted that impulse

Its a crazy world out there today and the thought that some might violate my privacy is a chilling thought but for some an unfortunate reality

[graciegirl]

Pulling weeds isn't suspicious activity.


When the Dean's girl comes to work on the lawn for pests in her Dean's truck she rings our doorbell and if we are not home leaves her card.

When Mike's Maintenance comes to our house in their Mike's Maintenance truck they get there big lawnmower out and their trimmer and start making a lot of noise.

When the Jehovah Witness comes to our neighborhood to try to save our souls, they are older people wearing what we used to wear to church in the 1950's and carry big notebooks and they ring the doorbell and sometimes we pretend not to be home and sometimes we take their handout and say thank you.

When the TandD Pool guy comes to our neighbors home, he comes in his TandD truck and wears his TandD shirt.

When the neighbor's house watch comes to the house they pull in the driveway and raise up the garage door and walk around the house first.

When the Post Office guy brings a big box which he does occasionally, he drives his USPS little mini-van and wears his USPS shirt and rings the doorbell.

When the UPS man comes to our house he drives a big brown truck and wears a brown uniform and rings the doorbell and is gone before we make it to the door.

When the neighbor's weeders come to weed and trim they drive their Stellar Van and carry little sprayers with weed killer and have a trimmer that has a loud motor.

I could not tell you whether any of these people are white, black, Asian, or Native born Eskimos, but I notice their sex and age.

I called Villages Watch one time when two strange to our neighborhood young men were walking in between the houses.

All I can say is that it was wise to do so.

[GPGuar]

Pulling weeds isn't suspicious activity.

No pulling weeds isn't suspicious BUT doing it around someones home when the owners aren't there seems a little strange to me.:ohdear:

[TheVillageChicken]

Pulling weeds isn't suspicious activity.


Opinion presented as fact.

[looneycat]

No pulling weeds isn't suspicious BUT doing it around someones home when the owners aren't there seems a little strange to me.:ohdear:

especially in rainy season my gardener does drive bys to check for weeds and stops to spray when needed. He drives an unmarked pickup. A company van/truck doesn't mean much when most burglaries in TV have been contractors' current or ex employees, a name on the truck does NOT mean SAFE.

[Navarrian]

I am also equally curious if the police officers who responded to the suspicious persons report were black or white. I mean while we are at it right. I think it extremely odd that any landscaper would return to the worksite to evaluate his work. I've never seen that period. I guess I should be more sensitive and assess a person's race before reporting my suspicions about a prospective potential for criminal activity in my neighborhood. Is that what we have come to believe?

[CFrance]

Since when do two landscapers drive around looking for weeds on property they work on. Sounds fishy to me. No advertising on the car to attract new customers. No uniforms to identify who they are. To be perfectly honest I wonder how many people that service your pool, your yard, inside your home, case your place for future burglary? You tell the landscape company yes I'll be gone for 5 months, ding, ding, ding. There's a lesson in this that the landscaper should of had a uniform on to identify who he works for, a sign on the vehicle identifying the company. Not a professional way to run a business.
How do you know why the landscaper was there, anyway? It could be that the homeowner called in a complaint to the landscape office about the quality of work being done, and a supervisor or the company's owner went to check on the house? Maybe it's a snowbird whose home watch people said something about the yard. I agree with Bare. The guy went nowhere near the house, didn't peer in windows, etc., and somebody over reacted.

[CFrance]

I am also equally curious if the police officers who responded to the suspicious persons report were black or white. I mean while we are at it right. I think it extremely odd that any landscaper would return to the worksite to evaluate his work. I've never seen that period. I guess I should be more sensitive and assess a person's race before reporting my suspicions about a prospective potential for criminal activity in my neighborhood. Is that what we have come to believe?

It's not odd at all to me. We've had landscape supervisors come check on things we've called about often. Just one person, and sometimes we are not at home.

[graciegirl]

If someone called something in that seemed suspicious and it turned out to be nothing, they are doing what Nehemiah Wolfe from the Sumter County Sheriff's office said to do. I think he is a remarkable man and I think the Sumter County Sheriff's Department does a good job.

[Bonny]

My hubby takes care of a lot of homes in the Villages when people aren't here. He also does a lot of work inside the homes when people aren't here. Some have called him and said they got a new landscaper and ask him to check it out. I happened to be with him one time when he went. He fixed something in the flower bed by the front window and pulled a few weeds they missed. He does this sort of thing all the time.
He has a lot of keys and garage openers. So he's always letting himself in.
After a while neighbors get to know who he is, but not when he first starts.
No one has ever called the police.

[CFrance]

My hubby takes care of a lot of homes in the Villages when people aren't here. He also does a lot of work inside the homes when people aren't here. Some have called him and said they got a new landscaper and ask him to check it out. I happened to be with him one time when he went. He fixed something in the flower bed by the front window and pulled a few weeds they missed. He does this sort of thing all the time.
He has a lot of keys and garage openers. So he's always letting himself in.
After a while neighbors get to know who he is, but not when he first starts.
No one has ever called the police.
Exactly what I'm talking about.

[tomwed]

My hubby takes care of a lot of homes in the Villages when people aren't here. He also does a lot of work inside the homes when people aren't here. Some have called him and said they got a new landscaper and ask him to check it out. I happened to be with him one time when he went. He fixed something in the flower bed by the front window and pulled a few weeds they missed. He does this sort of thing all the time.
He has a lot of keys and garage openers. So he's always letting himself in.
After a while neighbors get to know who he is, but not when he first starts.
No one has ever called the police.


I'm sorry but I'm missing your point.
If your husband looks like he's old enough to live here and dresses like everyone else that lives here, why would someone call the police?

Back in the day one of my closest friends was a chiropractor. He told me that in his profession there is a popular saying that goes:
“If you hear hoof beats don’t look for a zebra.”
I asked him to explain because as I just suggested I can be slow witted at times.

There are far more horses then there are zebras. So it’s probably a horses hoof beat.

[CFrance]

I'm sorry but I'm missing your point.
If your husband looks like he's old enough to live here and dresses like everyone else that lives here, why would someone call the police?
Because he was pulling weeds and checking landscaping in an unmarked car! And who knows how old he is? She didn't say. Bonny looks pretty young to me in her avatar.

I get her point easily. Anybody can look like they live here, rich or poor, white or black. Just takes a trip to Goodwill. I still think it was an over reaction.

[MarkinMd]

I don't think it was an over reaction, but that's just my opinion. Just for arguments sake say it was an over reaction, no harm done. The landscaper got his feelings hurt. Next time, wear a uniform and have some markings on your vehicle. On the other hand suppose he was going to do a burglary. better safe than sorry.

[Buffalo Jim]

Because he was pulling weeds and checking landscaping in an unmarked car! And who knows how old he is? She didn't say. Bonny looks pretty young to me in her avatar.

I get her point easily. Anybody can look like they live here, rich or poor, white or black. Just takes a trip to Goodwill. I still think it was an over reaction.

Uuuuugh ........ OK . You win .:blahblahblah:

[BobnBev]

WOODA
COULDA
SHOULDA

For god's sake, call the cops and let them sort it out.
That's what we pay them for.

[MarkinMd]

Exactly right BobnBev.

[graciegirl]

Exactly what I'm talking about.

I would have pooh poohed this a couple of years ago and then we here in The Villages had a lot of break ins and 17 burglars were arrested.

In fact I took on a couple of posters back then saying I thought they were over reacting. I was wrong. I often am.

I am not paranoid but after having listened to the sheriff's department as to how to keep your home safe, I have changed a few views. If any of you want to have a person from the sheriff's office come to your home and tell you how to make it safer, I don't think you will regret it.

[kstew43]

it doesn't matter if there black white yellow or brown, call the POLICE if you think there could be a problem...

stop them before they take over...

[GPGuar]

:agree::agree::agree:I don't think it was an over reaction, but that's just my opinion. Just for arguments sake say it was an over reaction, no harm done. The landscaper got his feelings hurt. Next time, wear a uniform and have some markings on your vehicle. On the other hand suppose he was going to do a burglary. better safe than sorry.

:agree:

[JaniceOhio]

Yesterday there was a mugshot on the online news of a young man of 21 who was arrested for stealing a large amount of things from a home in Lady Lake. He had beautiful features and could have been a male model, his face was young and beautiful and I thought how shamed his mother must be. I could not understand how a young, healthy and very handsome young man couldn't just work to take care of what he needs in life.

.

Interesting implications ... what do someone's degree of looks have to do with his level of honesty and integrity? Dark hearts reside in some beautiful / handsome criminals and bad guys. Should the mom of an ugly grizzly guy have any less reason to be ashamed? Just a thought.

Gracie please know that I don't disagree with any of your points regarding what I would do if someone drove up in an unmarked car and started pulling my or a neighbor's weeds. My oldest son is the neighborhood police officer here in Columbus and I'm the block watch person. If I see something I say something fast!

[graciegirl]

Interesting implications ... what do someone's degree of looks have to do with his level of honesty and integrity? Dark hearts reside in some beautiful / handsome criminals and bad guys. Should the mom of an ugly grizzly guy have any less reason to be ashamed? Just a thought.

Gracie please know that I don't disagree with any of your points regarding what I would do if someone drove up in an unmarked car and started pulling my or a neighbor's weeds. My oldest son is the neighborhood police officer here in Columbus and I'm the block watch person. If I see something I say something fast!

Janice. It doesn't mean anything. When I saw his young face, it makes me so sad that he has chosen to do the wrong thing. I am a person who paints faces and some faces are just beautiful and some are interesting and some are old and some are young. We have a grandson who is just one year older than him and I just love to look at his clear eyes and thick brows.

It means nothing Janice, just an old person's musings.

[JaniceOhio]

Gracie....It's cool.. Hope I meet you some day..

[VT2TV]

Well, I am personally satisfied that with the endorsement of MarkinMd, who has had much more experience than any of us on here, and the knowledge that I also have seen that our own Police Dept. here in the Villages want us to call them to do the checking, and to practice early reporting of ANYTHING suspicious, that the right thing was done. I have not been here as long as some of you, when we moved here 4 yrs ago, you never saw any reports of crimes, or even accidents. Obviously some reports were probably filtered, but it is only common sense that as our population increases, more and more crime will happen, and these will be the "good old days." If we are not all willing to do as the police say, we might just one day have a very bad outcome.

[Bonny]

I'm sorry but I'm missing your point.
If your husband looks like he's old enough to live here and dresses like everyone else that lives here, why would someone call the police?

Back in the day one of my closest friends was a chiropractor. He told me that in his profession there is a popular saying that goes:
“If you hear hoof beats don’t look for a zebra.”
I asked him to explain because as I just suggested I can be slow witted at times.

There are far more horses then there are zebras. So it’s probably a horses hoof beat.
The point was someone was pulling weeds ! Their truck wasn't marked and they didn't have a uniform on. That is my hubby. No marked truck and no uniform and he was in someone's yard pulling weeds !!! That's basically what the post was about !
And I don't get your point about hoof beats and a zebra. Just sayin'. LOL :icon_wink:

[Barefoot]

Well, I am personally satisfied that with the endorsement of MarkinMd, who has had much more experience than any of us on here, and the knowledge that I also have seen that our own Police Dept. here in the Villages want us to call them to do the checking, and to practice early reporting of ANYTHING suspicious, that the right thing was done. I have not been here as long as some of you, when we moved here 4 yrs ago, you never saw any reports of crimes, or even accidents. Obviously some reports were probably filtered, but it is only common sense that as our population increases, more and more crime will happen, and these will be the "good old days." If we are not all willing to do as the police say, we might just one day have a very bad outcome.

I guess the point of this entire thread is ... what is the definition of suspicious behavior?.
To some people, it might be an old car driving slowly down a street
To others, it might be two young guys we don't recognize carrying TVs and jewellery boxes out of a house.
The cops say they don't mind being called, so perhaps we shouldn't worry if we bombard them with calls.

Last year in our Village, one of the neighbors was concerned when he spotted people he didn't know parking cars and walking through a couple of back yards.
It made him very nervous. He said he called the police a couple of times but they never came.

That's my sole experience.

[Wandatime]

A while back the woman that lived across the street from me was having an affair with a cop, and his car was parked on the street at odd times of the day and night. I LOVED it! All of a sudden everyone was on their best behavior, driving slowly down the street, keeping the noise down at parties, etc. :laugh:

On my TV street there is this one couple that peeks out the blinds at anything and everything. They aren't very social, but they sure are interested. As a matter of fact, while we were gone two of my friends drove over to our house in their golf cart, got out and walked around and peeked in the windows because they hadn't see the house yet. My neighbor came over and stood at the edge of the yard, obviously watching them. He never introduced himself or said anything, just stood there. There isn't anything suspicious going down on my street without those two keeping watch and being able to make a full report. Maybe every street needs that one nosy neighbor.

[MarkinMd]

It wasn't me, I swear,lol.

[blueash]

And if you were black and were very aware of the real issues of driving while black, walking while black, shopping while black, you also would be very aware that even without any conscious discriminatory intent our culture and the person who called the cop had just a bit of extra alertness and extra suspicion when it was a black person who was picking some weeds. If you don't understand that view of how it happens too often and impacts the black experience in America you are not listening. It has been Oprah and Condoleezza not just those you don't know like this landscaper. No one is color blind in our society, not those on the left either. And for anyone to state that this man's color did not play a role in the aroused suspicion of the neighbor is ignoring reality.

[SALYBOW]

A landscaper stopped by a house on Fenwick to see how the yard was doing. He was in his personal vehicle. He got out of the car and pulled a few weeds and left. As he was leaving via the Sanibel gate, the police came roaring in. The police turned around and pulled him over. They had gotten a call that two black men had been checking out the house.

To say the landscaper is upset is putting it mildly. No one asked him what he was doing at the house although he felt it was pretty obvious since he had not been near the house itself.

So, were people being good neighbors in calling the police? Would they have called the police had this been two white men in the yard? What would you have done?

I agree Dee.

[Wandatime]

And if you were black and were very aware of the real issues of driving while black, walking while black, shopping while black, you also would be very aware that even without any conscious discriminatory intent our culture and the person who called the cop had just a bit of extra alertness and extra suspicion when it was a black person who was picking some weeds. If you don't understand that view of how it happens too often and impacts the black experience in America you are not listening. It has been Oprah and Condoleezza not just those you don't know like this landscaper. No one is color blind in our society, not those on the left either. And for anyone to state that this man's color did not play a role in the aroused suspicion of the neighbor is ignoring reality.

I agree that we all unconsciously discriminate, and what more, on several levels, not just race. Examples:

I took an on-line test that just flashed pictures and words, and by the length of time it took to choose one or the other, the test was able to ascertain I was mildly discriminatory towards smokers (and I was a smoker until four years ago). Before taking that test I would have told you flat out that I had absolutely nothing against smokers. A test of my unconscious beliefs showed otherwise.

There was a post a few days ago about tattoos and our prejudgements of those that have them. Some people see nothing wrong with tattoos at all. Others see some tattoos and think they are okay, but skulls and blood tattoos freak them out. I know two men that will not date any woman they know has a tattoo.

When we look at a person our subconscious takes all of our experiences and impressions and beliefs and makes an instantaneous judgement. That is human nature, and it is not all bad; it saves us from walking into dangerous situations (or perceived dangerous situations). It also helps us to connect with someone we think may be a friend or even love interest.

Do we make mistakes? Of course. Do some people have some very skewed impressions and beliefs that render their judgements poor? Sure. Are some people so accepting and naive that they put themselves in harms' way? Yep.

It is what it is. We can try to overcome our own personal prejudgements, but as that test pointed out to me, it is harder than we think.

[rubicon]

Prejudice is either real, invented, or mis-applied unintentionally or intentionally for some personal gain.

Many people of color are CEO's of major corporation sit on many board are elected president,etc etc, etc.

Yet we continue with this ridiculous black issue. European nationals get sterotyped all the time and just laugh it off and some actually engage in playing sterotypes to get a laugh.

Why not the black experience. why is there a black history month . Is there an english history month, ?

My point is that because of race baiters, etc we are conditioned to react to situations like this one . I said in an earlier post that the person who reported this guy also described the make of the car its age color etc. Did that make him/her a Honda hater?

Plain and simple I am sick of this nonsense and the sooner people stop talking about race the sooner we will leave it behind us. but there are people in our society who have personal and monetary reasons to keep it alive

[Bonny]

If I were ever to call the police, I "would" say there are 2 white guys "OR" I would say there are 2 black guys. I know someone will ask for a description and that's all I'm doing is giving a description.

[kittygilchrist]

If I were ever to call the police, I "would" say there are 2 white guys "OR" I would say there are 2 black guys. I know someone will ask for a description and that's all I'm doing is giving a description.

Well you cant say black without discriminating the difference, can you? We are a nation of linguistically snarled idiots...ok, i am having a very black and white day....but...that was not about race, really, oh Gosh, now what have I said?

[graciegirl]

And if you were black and were very aware of the real issues of driving while black, walking while black, shopping while black, you also would be very aware that even without any conscious discriminatory intent our culture and the person who called the cop had just a bit of extra alertness and extra suspicion when it was a black person who was picking some weeds. If you don't understand that view of how it happens too often and impacts the black experience in America you are not listening. It has been Oprah and Condoleezza not just those you don't know like this landscaper. No one is color blind in our society, not those on the left either. And for anyone to state that this man's color did not play a role in the aroused suspicion of the neighbor is ignoring reality.

Why people make race an issue when it is not are doing a disservice to all of us.

Making a generalization about danger is one of the reasons that our species survived. It is innate and may be socially wrong to summarize. But it is effective.

If I saw a guy that looked like he was out of place here among mostly old, white people I would wonder what he is doing. We have neighbors of all colors and they look pretty much alike. Most of us have grandchildren and they look pretty much alike, even the landscapers look pretty much alike.

When you want to find wrong and hate you look for it everywhere and in so condemn innocent people. Some who live here are racists and bigots and some are not.

People who are obsessed with race keep saying the same things over and over. FROM BOTH SIDES.

[Bonny]

Well you cant say black without discriminating the difference, can you? We are a nation of linguistically snarled idiots...ok, i am having a very black and white day....but...that was not about race, really, oh Gosh, now what have I said?
:1rotfl:

[tomwed]

Here is Jon Stewert talking about what it's like to be black in New York City where there is so much diversity and a very liberal point of view..

Click here (http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/ufqeuz/race-off)

go to 7 minutes and 40 seconds

[The Mountaineer]

The standard rule is to have someone investigate anyone who doesn't look as if they belong in the neighborhood. Since 0.5% of the people in The Villages, according to the 2000 census, are African-American, the chances are much slimmer that someone pulling a few weeds belongs there. That COULD be a subterfuge for casing the property. I posted in another thread how $1 billion a year in copper is stolen from vacant or unoccupied homes. So vigilance is warranted, regardless of color. If someone with worn, torn, dirty clothing dragging a shopping cart with his belongings behind him showed up and started pulling a few weeds, I think a call to authorities is warranted. We all need to be our neighbors' eyes and ears these days.

[VT2TV]

I guess the point of this entire thread is ... what is the definition of suspicious behavior?.
To some people, it might be an old car driving slowly down a street
To others, it might be two young guys we don't recognize carrying TVs and jewellery boxes out of a house.
The cops say they don't mind being called, so perhaps we shouldn't worry if we bombard them with calls.

Last year in our Village, one of the neighbors was concerned when he spotted people he didn't know parking cars and walking through a couple of back yards.
It made him very nervous. He said he called the police a couple of times but they never came.

That's my sole experience.


All we are doing is beating a dead horse here, and are getting nowhere. I think we are all educated enough here to know what constitutes a suspicous behavior in general, and obviously we all have our own specific examples. If you don't want the police called when strangers are in your house or yard , tell your neighbors not to bother calling the police at all, or call the the non emergency police dispatch number and tell them to mark your house as a do not respond if anyone call the police. The police do NOT have the time to listen to 30 mins of ..."well, I think they were black, or maybe white..., BUT I am not prejudiced, so maybe I shouldn't give you a color, and well, they might just be there to pull some weeds, and they don't have any markings on their truck, but maybe the sign fell off....." If there were an actual emergency, your neighbors might just be dead by then. Of course, that's sarcastic, and this is not directed at you Barefoot, but if you want the police there for you, call them or tell your neighbors to call. If you don't then, don't bother them.




And if you were black and were very aware of the real issues of driving while black, walking while black, shopping while black, you also would be very aware that even without any conscious discriminatory intent our culture and the person who called the cop had just a bit of extra alertness and extra suspicion when it was a black person who was picking some weeds. If you don't understand that view of how it happens too often and impacts the black experience in America you are not listening. It has been Oprah and Condoleezza not just those you don't know like this landscaper. No one is color blind in our society, not those on the left either. And for anyone to state that this man's color did not play a role in the aroused suspicion of the neighbor is ignoring reality.


I doubt you will believe me, but I was not raised to be prejudiced. My parents both grew up in a coal mine town along with black people, and they all lived there together back in the 20's +. I have no idea what black people have gone through in their lives, but I do know that I have heard just as many black people who are prejudiced as white people, and just about every other ethnic groups have people who are prejudiced. But it will never , ever get any better until people stop blaming everything on race. The people who were there in the worst of the race problems are dead and gone, and people are still crying race or religion. We have a black President now, do you think he was elected by just the black people???

[Barefoot]

I think we are all educated enough here to know what constitutes a suspicous behavior in general, and obviously we all have our own specific examples.


I don't think being well educated has anything al all to do with finding behavior suspicious.
Some people are very fearful for their lives and security and being robbed of their possessions.
They may find most things suspicious.
Others don't have many possessions they care about and may even choose to leave their doors open.
And they may not see someone pulling weeds next door as suspicious behavior at all.
It takes all kinds to make up a city. There are no rights or wrongs. And we won't resolve it here. Peace be with you. Ciao.

[Topspinmo]

Answer to the original question is YES and it's only going to get worst.

[blueash]

I doubt you will believe me, but I was not raised to be prejudiced. My parents both grew up in a coal mine town along with black people, and they all lived there together back in the 20's +. I have no idea what black people have gone through in their lives, but I do know that I have heard just as many black people who are prejudiced as white people, and just about every other ethnic groups have people who are prejudiced. But it will never , ever get any better until people stop blaming everything on race. The people who were there in the worst of the race problems are dead and gone, and people are still crying race or religion. We have a black President now, do you think he was elected by just the black people???

That is a useful post and shows insight. I doubt many are raised to be prejudiced. It is a subtle unintentional word here or raised eyebrow or hold the child's hand a little tighter moment that teaches. Example: When you were a child it is extremely unlikely (not impossible) that you ever heard of Islam. Your parents, your school, your churches had no comment or instruction. The first cultural awakening might have been when Cassius Clay became Ali and Alcindor became Abdul Jabbar. Then Malcolm X and the Black Muslim movement reached our nightly news. Then the Munich Olympics and Black September, Lebanon and the barracks bombing during the Reagan years and finally 9-11.
Never did any mainstream media or your parents tell you to be afraid of people who "look" Islamic. But I would challenge anyone to honestly say they don't have just a moment of discomfort when boarding a plane if they notice others dressed in traditional Islamic clothing. Some can turn that momentary anxiety off quickly, others spend the entire flight watching for shoe bombs. We are pre judging based on cultural hints and clues we have assimilated. It doesn't make us evil or even wrong. It makes us victims of our background. And while I will grant you being vigilant is great and should someone alert a flight attendant to a shoe bomber before he could set off the device I and everyone would be grateful for the vigilance.
But if every time a hijab wearing person reaches to tie a shoe they are assaulted by sky marshals they may resent the pre judging of the person who reported them and categorize it as Islamophobia. The anxious passenger says "I am not Islamophobic, I am just reporting like the authorities tell me I should. She should just understand why her behavior was suspicious and cooperate with the police. Why I think I'd have spoken up if I'd seen any passenger acting that way." The passenger can perhaps intellectually understand that comment but their heart and gut says, "This is because of my clothing and the bigotry of "flying while Muslim".
My point in this long post is to help people understand that in the situation in the original post, the person who called the police may not be consciously acting on race, but the landscaper will certainly see it that way. And to those who say stop crying racism because there is less racism now than in the '20s I agree. But in the '20s there were those who said those Negroes should just stay in their place because it is so much better now than in 1860 when they were slaves. We have a long way to go.

[cologal]

A landscaper stopped by a house on Fenwick to see how the yard was doing. He was in his personal vehicle. He got out of the car and pulled a few weeds and left. As he was leaving via the Sanibel gate, the police came roaring in. The police turned around and pulled him over. They had gotten a call that two black men had been checking out the house.

To say the landscaper is upset is putting it mildly. No one asked him what he was doing at the house although he felt it was pretty obvious since he had not been near the house itself.

So, were people being good neighbors in calling the police? Would they have called the police had this been two white men in the yard? What would you have done?

This is a new one to add to the list.... "Pulling weeds while black"

[graciegirl]

This is a new one to add to the list.... "Pulling weeds while black"


cologal. PLEASE read this entire thread.

[cologal]

While we might not like it racism still exits in our country. While I say there is not a racist bone in my body that is really not true. I used to travel every week to a different city for work and walked often alone, when I heard someone walking behind me I would check the person out. I noticed that I was more concerned, heart rate went up, if the person was male or a person of color. Not once, in 24 years, was I ever attacked, robbed or anything else. Now was I a racist, sexist or just being careful?

At the very least I was using racial profiling something that is often used by the police. Racial profiling in a 911 call led to the shooting death of a man in a Walmart in Ohio. The 911 called said there was a black man waving a gun at shoppers in the store. The SWAT team arrived and within 5 secs the man was dead. The police released the 911 call tape to the public but the Walmart tape were not. The man had purchased a air gun in the store, the tape shows it was playing with it in an aisle alone when a family turns into the aisle sees the guy and backs out. The caller now admits he never saw the man wave to gun at anyone....but a man is dead.

I have looked into myself and found something I didn't expect or like so I am working on my behavior. Perhaps we all should do this exercise.

[sunnyatlast]

The whole thread is based on hearsay and only one side of the story...that of a landscaper who told a truthful listener who repeated the story here.

Nobody here knows what was witnessed in full by the person who called police. Nobody knows if the guy was telling only the innocent parts of a larger scenario/story. Nobody knows whether he has old criminal convictions in another state. Nobody here knows whether there were accomplices waiting in a vehicle around the corner and down the street a few blocks.

All of which is why police were called, to have THEM figure out whether he could be up to no good.

Blaming this alleged insult on alleged racism pooh poohs the need for police, and it tells people they should racially profile themselves and quantify and analyze their level of white guilt and whether it's enough, instead of calling quickly to simply get help for a neighbor who could be in danger!

[perrjojo]

Years ago my husband was coach of a little league baseball team. Many of the young players were black. They did not have transportation to and from the practice field so I often picked them up and took them home to their predominately black neighborhoods. Guess what? I was profiled when in the neighborhood because it was unusual to see a white person in that neighborhood. It is a fact that there are not many blacks in TV, therefore when we see a black person, we cant help but
notice...Just as the families of the black children couldn't help but notice that a white person was in their neighborhood. I don't think that is racist , it is just noticing something different. Yes, I was treated with suspicion when in the neighborhood until they became accustomed to my presence.

[another Linda]

Oh no, Red. Please tell me this wasn't RC! He is the nicest man. And he frequently stops by our place to check on things.