Incident with recycle collectors

[paullynnchetti]

My neighbor was packing his RV this morning in front of his house. He placed cases of soda and beer next to a open compartment. He went into his house for a minute, came out and the stuff was gone. He looked down the street and saw the recycle truck. Went after them to ask them about it. They had it inside on the front seat of the truck. They said they thought it was to be recycled, but they did not put it in the back of the truck. He got the stuff back from them and called Community watch. They called police and the police got in touch with their boss. He told police the guys already called him and said they thought my neighbor left it for them to take. It was very clear they stole the stuff from my neighbor. It was very obvious he was packing his RV.

[Taltarzac725]

My neighbor was packing his RV this morning in front of his house. He placed cases of soda and beer next to a open compartment. He went into his house for a minute, came out and the stuff was gone. He looked down the street and saw the recycle truck. Went after them to ask them about it. They had it inside on the front seat of the truck. They said they thought it was to be recycled, but they did not put it in the back of the truck. He got the stuff back from them and called Community watch. They called police and the police got in touch with their boss. He told police the guys already called him and said they thought my neighbor left it for them to take. It was very clear they stole the stuff from my neighbor. It was very obvious he was packing his RV.

Hope these guys do not get a good defense lawyer. Too bad this co-incided with the recycling pick-up.

[eremite06]

Those G men should be fired.

[jnieman]

My neighbor was packing his RV this morning in front of his house. He placed cases of soda and beer next to a open compartment. He went into his house for a minute, came out and the stuff was gone. He looked down the street and saw the recycle truck. Went after them to ask them about it. They had it inside on the front seat of the truck. They said they thought it was to be recycled, but they did not put it in the back of the truck. He got the stuff back from them and called Community watch. They called police and the police got in touch with their boss. He told police the guys already called him and said they thought my neighbor left it for them to take. It was very clear they stole the stuff from my neighbor. It was very obvious he was packing his RV.

Was it placed near the road near what was being recycled? The only reason I ask is that I know someone who has left a case of beer or soda out by the road for the people who pick up trash as a gift around the holidays. Of course it's not the holidays right now, but maybe it was a mistake?

[quirky3]

My sister-in-law leaves bottles of water for the recycling and garbage guys - I think some people do that year round.

[paulandjean]

Could be a mistake.I also have left things to drink for these workers. Hope they do not get fired.

[duffysmom]

We had an embarassing incident. Early one morning I was preparing to pick up our newspaper from the driveway and when I looked out I could see the newpaper and the garbage guy in the driveway. As usual we went out the garage door and when I went to pick up the paper, it wasn't there (first time). Surmised that the garbage worker took the newspaper so husband drove down the street and asked where our newspaper was. He told us that it was at our front door, he was being kind and walked it to the door. Things are not always what they seem.:eek:

[Barefoot]

Could be a mistake.I also have left things to drink for these workers. Hope they do not get fired.

When we are packing up to leave for an extended time, we will often leave something by the road for the recycling/garbage guys. I think this might be an honest mistake.

[jeffy]

I agree that probably an honest mistake. I have left items numerous times for the trash/recycle guys. Certainly not worth making a major deal about it since others leave items for them also.

[dkrhardy]

Pretty much I agree with most folks posts, but who leaves CASES for the guys? Or beer for that matter.
Don

[starflyte1]

I would think that they thought it was pickup. Sometimes I will have a brand of soda or outdated beer that I will set out for them to recycle or keep. Their choice.

[Mimivillager]

Pretty much I agree with most folks posts, but who leaves CASES for the guys? Or beer for that matter.
Don

Some people do.
If it looked usable, I don't blame them for not putting it in the back of the truck. Could be an honest mistake. These guys work hard and it is a dirty job.

[redwitch]

Definitely on the garbage guys' side here. Since your neighbor was packing up an RV, an extended trip was obviously in the works. Seems perfectly reasonable that they would think the soda and beer was for them as an early holiday gift. I sincerely hope Community Watch was able to resolve things so that your neighbor (and you) now knows to not put things by the curb if they don't want it picked up in error.

It's really a shame when the first thought is to think badly of another when a kinder, more logical explanation is available.

[uujudy]

. . .
It's really a shame when the first thought is to think badly of another when a kinder, more logical explanation is available.

:agree::agree::agree:

[paulandjean]

Think maybe the poster overreacted. Calling community watch, then the police invovled, then their boss. He did get his drinks back. Hope they do not get fired. Hope they do not try to get back against the poster.

[eremite06]

Pretty much I agree with most folks posts, but who leaves CASES for the guys? Or beer for that matter.
Don

........and early holiday gift???? What Halloween???

[Skybo]

I agree that it could have been a misunderstanding, however the OP said that the cases were set down next to an open compartment on their RV. At the very least, the collectors should have considered the possibility that the homeowners were in the process of packing up. The collectors could have knocked on the door and asked the question rather than assuming the items were gifts to them. It surprises me that carrying alcohol in the cab of the truck (even legitimate gifts) wouldn't be against their company rules.

[joannej]

If you know you're not coming back to the Villages for some time, sometimes it's not wise to travel with booze (different states have different laws regarding transporting liquor), carton of soda, etc. With all of the people that live in the Villages, I'm sure there have been times when there are "gifts" like this left behind for the recycling men.

[Taltarzac725]

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt when a crime is accused of them. That said, this would be a very hard case though for any prosecutor given the co-incidences involved.

[chuckinca]

I would think that they thought it was pickup. Sometimes I will have a brand of soda or outdated beer that I will set out for them to recycle or keep. Their choice.


"outdated beer" not in my universe!

.

[Skybo]

If I were going to give away a case of beer, I would personally hand it to the intended recipient. I wouldn't leave it sitting on the curb for an unknown length of time, where it might fall into the hands of an underage visitor.

I like to give folks the benefit of the doubt too and I'm not insinuating that the collectors intentionally stole the items. But if the situation was accurately described (which I'm assuming it was), then there should have been some doubt in the collector's minds whether or not it was intended for them, and I think they should have confirmed that before taking the items.

[BogeyBoy]

If you know you're not coming back to the Villages for some time, sometimes it's not wise to travel with booze (different states have different laws regarding transporting liquor), carton of soda, etc. With all of the people that live in the Villages, I'm sure there have been times when there are "gifts" like this left behind for the recycling men.

When you travel in a motorhome you do take these items with you. It's your temporary home and just like I take a dozen eggs, I take a dozen sodas, dozen beers, dozen bottles of wine, etc. In my many years of RVing I've never heard of any incidents regarding transporting booze and law enforcement. Of course you need to use common sense, no alcohol anywhere near the driver's area.

I have heard of issues with transporting liquor from state to state when you do so just to avoid taxes or take advantage of pricing. Pennsylvania used to get nasty with residents who traveled to New Jersey for a big buy on booze, I don't know if that is still common.

In this situation if the sodas, etc. were next to the motorhome the recycle team should have never grabbed them. But if the motorhome was blocking access to the regular recycle bag location maybe the team got confused.

[Arubagirl2000]

I am always learning something new. I had no clue that people left "gifts" outside for the recycle guys. Do you do it for the trash guys also?

[sueandskip]

I agree that probably an honest mistake. I have left items numerous times for the trash/recycle guys. Certainly not worth making a major deal about it since others leave items for them also.

I think it is nice of eveyone to give them the benefit of the doubt....

[tommy steam]

Pretty much I agree with most folks posts, but who leaves CASES for the guys? Or beer for that matter.
Don

I have always left water and soda for my G men on hot days, by the case. They work very hard slinging those cans around. Water and soda are cheap.I do it on really hot days. Maby the g men in TVs thought the stuff left at the curb was for them, could have been an honest mistake,I would like to think so.

[dkrhardy]

I have always left water and soda for my G men on hot days, by the case. They work very hard slinging those cans around. Water and soda are cheap.I do it on really hot days. Maby the g men in TVs thought the stuff left at the curb was for them, could have been an honest mistake,I would like to think so.

No cans here. :duck: ;)

Don

[billlaur]

Oh Come on , they stole it and happened to get caught . Now the story gets its spin..

[Barefoot]

Oh Come on , they stole it and happened to get caught . Now the story gets its spin..

A lot of people have said they leave stuff out for the garbage/recycling guys. We do it when we're packing up to leave for six months.

Why won't you give the guys a break?

[redwitch]

I have always left water, soda and, yes, beer for my garbage people, both here and in California. Water and soda on really hot days; beer when I had some left over after a bbq or the like. It's a pretty common practice around the country.

What's sad is that the beverages were immediately returned and yet Community Watch, police, etc., had to be called. I really hope the guys don't lose their jobs over this.

[paulandjean]

Calling the community watch,and the police invovled was a little to much. He got the beer back and the guys I think got the message. Sure think if the guys do get in trouble or lose their jobs I would not want to be in this guys shoes..............

[jtdraig]

You gotta love Talk of the Villages! Someone posts something:posting:; someone else starts debating:22yikes:; the sea lawyers take over:pepper2:; the good then come out:eclipsee_gold_cup:; Oh, yes, and the Ugly usually follows:cus:; then comes a rational voice:coolsmiley:; and then it ends:BigApplause:..almost every time.

Either way the beer and soda were going to get recycled if you get my drift..

:crap2: