My run in with the cops

[SoundTheSurrender]

It's safe to assume cops are power hungry pieces of shit when you have to encounter them.

 

[Leros]

The OP was trespassing and the cop didn't clearly explain what the problem was. End of story.

 

[bctbct]

Why does everyone presume he was trespassing. I would think being asked to leave the property and refusing becomes trespassing, or entering property clearly marked would be trespassing.

I doubt a cop could arrest you for trespassing without the consent of the owner.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: bctbct
I doubt a cop could arrest you for trespassing without the consent of the owner.

If you've been told to leave previously, you certainly could be arrested.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: waggy
not sure on that.

he was traspassing.

Yes.. I was on the property. But if you are trying to sell your house are you going to threaten people that come to look at it with trespassing? Don't you want them there?

Well, how far on the property were you?

Front yard and walked around to the back if it wasn't fenced.

Yep. Suspicious behavior.

If you are viewing a home you park on the street, walk on the driveway and go to the front door. That way you're making your intentions clear. You knock and if nobody answers, you leave.

Going around back is NOT a good idea.

-edit-
In summary, cop was doing his job and probably got a complaint about a guy poking around. Good Cop. The nonsense about an agent and that stuff = not so good cop, but he was a little miffed about responding to this. OP had nothing to be concerned about as he had no ill intentions and simply saying "I'm looking to purchase this property" was the end of it, just went about it the wrong way (poking around property that wasn't his).

Now if it's a new development? Pssh, I park in front walk in the front door and tool around. Knock first of course, but usually the door is already wide open.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: bctbct
I doubt a cop could arrest you for trespassing without the consent of the owner.

If you've been told to leave previously, you certainly could be arrested.

Who told him to leave previously? Certainly not the property owner. He was stopped on a city street, not on private property.

 

[cornbread]

badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

For what? For telling him not to come back without a real estate agent? Sure.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

for what? doing his job? i guess. he should be out eating dougnhuts. damn cop is going to make people think they actually do there jobs.

 

[IGBT]

..I want that cop working in my hood. keep the rest of you's guys out.

 

[cornbread]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

For what? For telling him not to come back without a real estate agent? Sure.

What he did was illegal. If the OP would've had a video camera with him and made video of the incident, that cop would be gone in a heartbeat. Most police departments don't want the risk of being sued for abuse of power. If a news article went out about the incident, his superiors would make sure he didn't have the chance to do it again and risk a lot of public outcry.
A local cop pulled up to a bus stop not long ago, started questioning a 14 year old deaf girl about why she was there...The story hit the news that evening and needless to say the cop is no longer employed.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: bctbct
I doubt a cop could arrest you for trespassing without the consent of the owner.

If you've been told to leave previously, you certainly could be arrested.

Who told him to leave previously? Certainly not the property owner. He was stopped on a city street, not on private property.

There is an implied no tresspassing on any private property. You don't have to post it. However; being there was a for sale sign in front of the home and if the home was non-occupied I am sure there is also implied consent to view it. IANAL though and only know what is considered ok here.

Now as far as an arrest, then yes the owner would have to be the one to press charges...

I don't care for cops and this could be just an abuse situation, but it could also be the OP was looking like a deadbeat scoping out the place to rob.

None of us were there. However; no one has to work with an agent and the less agents in the mix the better...it's going to cost you in the long run if you could have done it by yourself. On a new home it usually doesn't matter as it's a wash, but any resale that commission is heavily negotiable esp in this market.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: cornbread

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

For what? For telling him not to come back without a real estate agent? Sure.

What he did was illegal. If the OP would've had a video camera with him and made video of the incident, that cop would be gone in a heartbeat. Most police departments don't want the risk of being sued for abuse of power. If a news article went out about the incident, his superiors would make sure he didn't have the chance to do it again and risk a lot of public outcry.
A local cop pulled up to a bus stop not long ago, started questioning a 14 year old deaf girl about why she was there...The story hit the news that evening and needless to say the cop is no longer employed.

No, he was doing his job. He got called about somebody suspicious checking out houses. And let the OP know that he's not allowed to walk onto someone's private property without an agent. He should have said the seller's agent but no big deal. Heck the officer could have asked for and checked out his ID. The officer could have easily assumed the OP was casing the house.

How about a link to your story?

 

[Ruptga]

I'd have simply left and continued on my merry way, sticking it to the real estate agent man. You're right, I wouldn't blame the cop for checking you out, but he crossed the stupid line when he kept on about it. I probably would write off that area since that's a bad sign that the cops around there are jerks.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: cornbread

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

For what? For telling him not to come back without a real estate agent? Sure.

What he did was illegal. If the OP would've had a video camera with him and made video of the incident, that cop would be gone in a heartbeat. Most police departments don't want the risk of being sued for abuse of power. If a news article went out about the incident, his superiors would make sure he didn't have the chance to do it again and risk a lot of public outcry.
A local cop pulled up to a bus stop not long ago, started questioning a 14 year old deaf girl about why she was there...The story hit the news that evening and needless to say the cop is no longer employed.

that story is not even close to what the OP described.

the op was on private property. what he was doing could be described as someone caseing a place for a break in.

the cop did the right thing. though he should have kept quite about the agent.

in the story you are saying is pure harresment. a girl is on the public street waiting for a public bus. though would like a link to see full details

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: cornbread

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

For what? For telling him not to come back without a real estate agent? Sure.

What he did was illegal. If the OP would've had a video camera with him and made video of the incident, that cop would be gone in a heartbeat. Most police departments don't want the risk of being sued for abuse of power. If a news article went out about the incident, his superiors would make sure he didn't have the chance to do it again and risk a lot of public outcry.
A local cop pulled up to a bus stop not long ago, started questioning a 14 year old deaf girl about why she was there...The story hit the news that evening and needless to say the cop is no longer employed.

What did he do that was illegal?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: waggy
in the story you are saying is pure harresment. a girl is on the public street waiting for a public bus. though would like a link to see full details

Yeah shens on that one or part of the story is left out like a runaway matched her description or the like.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: waggy
not sure on that.

he was traspassing.

Yes.. I was on the property. But if you are trying to sell your house are you going to threaten people that come to look at it with trespassing? Don't you want them there? As for looking inside, yes I would contact the agent for that because going inside is a different matter. But just walking around the front yard?

/thread.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: cornbread

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: cornbread
badge# or car # + date, time+location + email the nosiest local news station = cop won't hold his job too long

For what? For telling him not to come back without a real estate agent? Sure.

What he did was illegal. If the OP would've had a video camera with him and made video of the incident, that cop would be gone in a heartbeat. Most police departments don't want the risk of being sued for abuse of power. If a news article went out about the incident, his superiors would make sure he didn't have the chance to do it again and risk a lot of public outcry.
A local cop pulled up to a bus stop not long ago, started questioning a 14 year old deaf girl about why she was there...The story hit the news that evening and needless to say the cop is no longer employed.

Trespassing, maybe you have heard of it (wiki link)

What the cop did was his job.

"In the criminal code, penalties for trespassing (even simple trespassing, e.g. accidentally wondering onto private property) can be very severe, with fines surpassing those of other "petty" crimes including marijuana possession, simple assault, and illegally parking in a handicapped spot. For example, in Oregon, trespassing is a Class A misdemeanor--a more serious crime than illegal marijuana possession."

The OP didn't have explicit permission to be on the property (especially not the back yard), therefore it is trespassing. The cop warned the OP and sent him on his way, that's absolutely the correct course of action. He didn't need to throw in the comments about an agent since you don't HAVE to have one if you have permission from the owner but like someone else posted, normally you get permission with a real estate agent from the seller's agent. Otherwise call the owner and set up a time.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: ryan256
The putting down your cat thread made me think of this. I wasn't going to post it originally but I'm curious about ATOT's opinion.

I'm in the process of searching for a house. I am doing the search on my own and not using a real estate agent. 2 weeks ago I was out on my motorcycle looking around in several neighborhoods at properties for sale. I stopped at a few and looked around the outside of the house to decide whether or not I wanted to call the sellers real estate agent and take a look inside. As I'm leaving one a cop pulls up, flashes his light, gets out, & asks me what I'm doing there. A legitimate question.
Me: "I'm looking around at houses for sale in this area."
Cop: "Then who is your real estate agent and why aren't they here?"
Me: "I don't have a real estate agent. I'm doing the search on my own."
Cop: "In that case you have no reason to be here and you need to leave right now."
(this was not a gated or closed community btw)
Me: "I have no reason to stop at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon at a house that has a For Sale sign in the yard?"
Cop: "No you don't. You get a real estate agent and have them show you the property."
Me: "Why should I pay a real estate agent several thousand dollars to find houses for sale when I can do that on my own?"
Cop: "Because thats what you do. If we get another call about you scoping out the area we are going to arrest you."

Now I can understand he wanted to make sure that I wasn't a burglar trying to case houses to rob. But at the same time I have a very legitimate reason to be stopping at houses for sale in broad daylight. And why do I have to spend thousands on a real estate agent when I can go find houses for sale just fine on my own? 'Because thats what you do'? BS!

(Non-Professional legal opinion, seek an attorney for real advice)

In most places, the cop has no legitimate grounds to arrest you. My bet is he's just giving you a blind threat and probably will not arrest you unless you do something truly illegal. And I will assume it was concerned neighbors were the ones who notified the police of your suspicious behavior. Peeking in windows makes people wonder..

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I love ATOT... It's never met a dead horse that didn't need more beating. :laugh:

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
If the OP was on the property then he was trespassing and the cop was absolutely in the right to run him off.

If you want to see the property then you need to either get an agent or have the listing agent show the property to you.

FYI... and this will save you a lot of headache... buyer's agents don't cost the buyer anything. Get yourself an agent and avoid jail.

Where I live only the land owner must be present and is the one who can demand a trespass, with out his permission the cops cannot or will not do anything.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
If the OP was on the property then he was trespassing and the cop was absolutely in the right to run him off.

If you want to see the property then you need to either get an agent or have the listing agent show the property to you.

FYI... and this will save you a lot of headache... buyer's agents don't cost the buyer anything. Get yourself an agent and avoid jail.

Where I live only the land owner must be present and is the one who can demand a trespass, with out his permission the cops cannot or will not do anything.

Where I used to live you could get shot for doing that. Legally.

 

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: ryan256

Originally posted by: ValValline
Based on your story the cop was responding to a call made from people in the area who saw you. It is very common for crooks to case houses for sale to rob later. It is also common for people to report suspicious activity in their own neighborhood.

How were you dressed? What kind of bike do you ride?

Many people look down on motorcyclists. As a rider myself I have been treated like a "dirt bag" from time to time based on how I was dressed (full gear seems to intimidate people) and the kind of bike I was riding.

You got "profiled". It sucks, but the cop was doing his job, and you payed the price for all of the crooks and biker stereotypes out there that make it hard for someone legit to go about their business.

Dress? Blue jeans & denim jacket. Bike? Honda shadow.
I realize the cop was just doing his job. I knew perfectly well why he was there. To make sure I wasn't trying to break in. This is why I was very polite and tried to be cooperative with him. I guess my hang up is when I was told I have to pay for an agent 'Because thats what you do'.

You don't pay for a buyer's agent... the seller pays the commission to the listing broker who then offers a percentage of that commission to the procuring broker who then offers a percentage of that to the selling agent who gets you access to the house sans angry cop.

Get an agent.

Thats why I call BS on this story. Even a cop is smart enough to know how realestate works.

 

[TheKub]

The only time you should "check out" a property that is for sale is when there is an open house. Otherwise make an appointment with the listing agent. If you are checking out a property on your own you are really only allowed to approach the forsale sign to grab a flier out of it.