NationStates Jolt Archive

I've told this story a couple of times, but I'll just tell it again and refine it.

So last night around 11:40 PM, my buddy and I were biking around some parking garages. I went to the very top (I think there were 4 or 5 stories) and he stayed at the bottom. After I arrived to the top and got a really nice view of the city, he called me and said, "Hey, there's security, you might want to come down."

So I went back down, and my buddy was sitting on a bench next to his bike with what appeared to be a security guard.

Now as far as security guards go, I know, or at least think I know that all they can really do is ask you to leave. This guy however, was looking back on it dressed innapropriatly to be a cop or security guard.

He had a collered shirt, slacks, but no form of ID on the outside. He appeared to have a badge and he also had a handgun, so I naturally assumed he was a cop.

He leads my buddy and I out to his truck, not a police car, but a fricken truck, and gets our name, phone number, address, and date of birth.

After all of this he tells us something along the lines of, "You boys should be charged with criminal trespassing but I'll just give you a warning."

Anyway, I emailed my father this story since he's currently in Madagascar, and he replied telling me I could have run into a wierdo posing as a cop.

Oh shit, he's probably right, and I was too stupid not to realize it.

I'll just compact what I noticed about the "cop" again.

1. He had a gun, and I know that normal security guards aren't allowed to carry guns. I saw he had a badge, or it looked like a badge anyway.

2. He wasn't wearing a police uniform, he looked like a security guard, but then again, he was just wearing a polo and slacks. No markings of department or any of that on him.

3. He had a truck with no police markings on it. Again, not a squad car, a truck.

4. When he took our info, he wrote it down on a sheet of paper. Nothing that looked police official

The more I think about it, the more I realize this probably was a whacko posing as a cop.

However, this all occured on a Sunday night around 11:40 and the area we were cruising around doesn't seem like a likley place for a fake cop to be patrolling.

So... Tell me what you think.

I think you're an idiot.

I think you're an idiot.

Aside from that, tell me something worthwhile please.

Why not call the local cops and ask them if they know of such a person

Why not call the local cops and ask them if they know of such a person

That's the current course of action I'm going to take.

I think you're an idiot.

Seconded.

Report it. Report it first to the parking garage, and find out if they have security. If not, report it to the police. If there is someone out there posing as law enforcement, they'll want to know...it's taken rather seriously.

I didn't think of that. Thank you so much.

No rent-a-cop could ever pry my personal information from me.

Report it. Report it first to the parking garage, and find out if they have security. If not, report it to the police. If there is someone out there posing as law enforcement, they'll want to know...it's taken rather seriously.

Only thing you can really do is call the police and see what they can do. Sounds like a guy possibly trying to pull an identity theft on you.

And for future reference, ask to see a badge or a badge number. Cops have to give you their badge number if you ask.

I think you're an idiot.

I third that. i guess he could have shot u if u ran.:mp5:

Enough with the sniper smileys.

And don't beat yourself up about it too much. Most people would have given him their information in your situation. People like to talk shit, but most don't actually know their rights when dealing with cops OR security (more often the latter).

Enough with the sniper smileys.

And don't beat yourself up about it too much. Most people would have given him their information in your situation. People like to talk shit, but most don't actually know their rights when dealing with cops OR security (more often the latter).

Thanks Neesika,

Right now I'll head back over to the complex and ask if they hired security for that shift.

Thanks Neesika,

Right now I'll head back over to the complex and ask if they hired security for that shift.

Just be careful how you ask: they might be suspicious of some stranger walking in and asking when their security guards leave. ;)

Just be careful how you ask: they might be suspicious of some stranger walking in and asking when their security guards leave. ;)

Exactly.

I'm going to wait for my friend to wake up and then head over.

It'l just be wierd if I go alone, and he's Indian. :D

Well what do you want us to do, come out there and beat him up?

Well what do you want us to do, come out there and beat him up?Duh, that's obvious.

No rent-a-cop could ever pry my personal information from me.

Seconded

And for future reference, ask to see a badge or a badge number. Cops have to give you their badge number if you ask.

Indeed...

...if the rent-a-cop asks for my info, I ask him to get a real police officer on the scene. I know what I have and have not done, and I'd rather deal with a legitimate authority figure. Rent-a-cops will often just make you leave without hassle rather than drag things out like that.

Most people would have given him their information in your situation. People like to talk shit, but most don't actually know their rights when dealing with cops OR security (more often the latter).

Pfft...I know that around here rent-a-cops have the authority to tell you to leave, call for the real police, and tazer someone who's armed...that's about it. I've dealt with them on a few occasions, and they're often rent-a-cops for a good reason...too lazy (or incompetant) to be a real cop.

I think you're an idiot.

Fourthed.

He leads my buddy and I out to his truck, not a police car, but a fricken truck, and gets our name, phone number, address, and date of birth.

The correct word is me.

You're an idiot. I'd call the REAL cops...

The correct word is me.

You're an idiot. I'd call the REAL cops...

And you sir, are an asshole.

And you sir, are an asshole.

And you're both making Paris Hilton, in terms of personal maturity, look like Ghandi.

Fourthed.

I don't think I can handle so many people agreeing with me. It's definitely a new experience :p

This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_police#Local_agencies) explains everything.

Thanks again to everyone who actually helped me.

Ouch, man. Sorry to hear that. Hope it all works out for you. But yeah... stupid. Always ask for a badge number, and know your rights and what you do/do not have to tell the police.

I think you're an idiot.

yep....

This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_police#Local_agencies) explains everything.
Security Police?

Police Cops!?!

yep....

I think that's a bit harsh. Everyone makes mistakes. At least he'll never make the same one again...

Always ask for a badge number.

And what use would it be to be told a number pulled right outta his ass? Unless you know all badge numbers by heart, of course.

Asking to see the badge is what you probably mean, and with this lazy guy (had not even a fake uniform), this would have helped. However, if somebody takes his con artism seriously, he has some fake badge (do you know what a real badge looks like?).

I've told this story a couple of times, but I'll just tell it again and refine it.

*whatever*Are you putting this in a novel or something?

I think that's a bit harsh. Everyone makes mistakes. At least he'll never make the same one again...Not everyone makes such mistakes.

And what use would it be to be told a number pulled right outta his ass? Unless you know all badge numbers by heart, of course.

Asking to see the badge is what you probably mean, and with this lazy guy (had not even a fake uniform), this would have helped. However, if somebody takes his con artism seriously, he has some fake badge (do you know what a real badge looks like?).
Because traditionally, badge numbers come on badges. It is certainly possible he had a fake badge, but incredibly likely for someone impersonating a rent-a-cop at a parking garage. If he had a fake one, then yeah, you'd be fucked, but there's nothing you can do about that. You prepare for risks that are actually feasible.

And what use would it be to be told a number pulled right outta his ass? Unless you know all badge numbers by heart, of course.

Asking to see the badge is what you probably mean, and with this lazy guy (had not even a fake uniform), this would have helped. However, if somebody takes his con artism seriously, he has some fake badge (do you know what a real badge looks like?).

Ugh, I figured that since I live in Texas the badges are done with a star instead of a typical looking police badge.

I've ruled out the con-man thing since

A. This took place at 11:40 on a Sunday night at a very unlikley location for scamming someone.

B. He was probably somewhere between a cop and a ren-a-cop, but I mistook him for a cop since he had a gun. I know rent-a-cops aren't allowed to carry guns.

C. There was another guy with him with his shirt untucked who didn't give a rat's ass about the whole situation.

Call the cops ASAP. Even if they DO have a security guard there, what are the odds that he really IS the security guard?

Not everyone makes such mistakes.

And I'm sure he's already kicking himself for it. There is absolutely no need to make him feel any worse.

I live in Texas .......................

.......I know rent-a-cops aren't allowed to carry guns.


There's people in TEXAS not allowed to carry guns?

Now I know you're making it up.

I think you're an idiot.

The man had a gun. I'd definitely cooperate until I was out of sight. And then I'd immediately call the real cops.

I've told this story a couple of times, but I'll just tell it again and refine it.

So last night around 11:40 PM, my buddy and I were biking around some parking garages. I went to the very top (I think there were 4 or 5 stories) and he stayed at the bottom. After I arrived to the top and got a really nice view of the city, he called me and said, "Hey, there's security, you might want to come down."

So I went back down, and my buddy was sitting on a bench next to his bike with what appeared to be a security guard.

Now as far as security guards go, I know, or at least think I know that all they can really do is ask you to leave. This guy however, was looking back on it dressed innapropriatly to be a cop or security guard.

He had a collered shirt, slacks, but no form of ID on the outside. He appeared to have a badge and he also had a handgun, so I naturally assumed he was a cop.

He leads my buddy and I out to his truck, not a police car, but a fricken truck, and gets our name, phone number, address, and date of birth.

After all of this he tells us something along the lines of, "You boys should be charged with criminal trespassing but I'll just give you a warning."

Anyway, I emailed my father this story since he's currently in Madagascar, and he replied telling me I could have run into a wierdo posing as a cop.

Oh shit, he's probably right, and I was too stupid not to realize it.

I'll just compact what I noticed about the "cop" again.

1. He had a gun, and I know that normal security guards aren't allowed to carry guns. I saw he had a badge, or it looked like a badge anyway.

2. He wasn't wearing a police uniform, he looked like a security guard, but then again, he was just wearing a polo and slacks. No markings of department or any of that on him.

3. He had a truck with no police markings on it. Again, not a squad car, a truck.

4. When he took our info, he wrote it down on a sheet of paper. Nothing that looked police official

The more I think about it, the more I realize this probably was a whacko posing as a cop.

However, this all occured on a Sunday night around 11:40 and the area we were cruising around doesn't seem like a likley place for a fake cop to be patrolling.

So... Tell me what you think.

All the info you gave him was also public record. The parking garage may be privately owned and not intended for bicycle traffic. They likely have concerns about theft and vandalism. Its likely the owner doesnt want people using his garage for bicycling or skateboarding because its a liabilty if you're injured there.
So-if they got a report that something had been damaged or stolen,you and your friend could be questioned about it.

You didnt mention if he roughed you up or treated you poorly in any way. To me,it sounds like he just IDd you in the event there was any problems there.