Somebody is camping under my porch

[jyl]

Discovered this today.

My porch is long and has an enclosed crawlspace, with a flimsy access door at the end of the porch farthest from my front door, in a little-used side yard that opens to the street; I have a corner lot. The crawlspace is concrete floored, dry, entirely enclosed, maybe 3' headroom. We never use the crawlspace, but my wife did look in it last fall.

I found in that crawlspace: a single sleeping bag, men's clothes piled around the bag (underwear, socks, pants, shirts, jackets, rain gear, gloves, etc), a phone charger and some ear buds, a keychain with a car key and various other keys, a flashlight, a small amount of trash (one empty cigarette pack, one book of matches, one empty soda bottle, some candy bar wrappers), a day pack, and women's clothes in the pack (dresses, pants, jackets, etc, no underclothes or socks or other personal effects). The men's clothes were good outdoors/active brands: Underarmor, Columbia, Nike, ExOfficio, and in good condition although dusty. The women's clothes were good condition, nice brands, clean, folded up inside the pack, all roughly the same size (4). There was also a book (Angels and Devils), a children's DVD (Veggietales), a single child's fancy party dress.

I've never noticed, heard, or smelled anything there. Winter only recently ended and we haven't used the porch much in recent months. My neighbor across the street, who walks by that side of the house every morning, said she had a weird feeling that someone was on our property, but thought she was just being paranoid (since they were burglarized last year, she has been on edge).

I called the police non emergency number. They said it was okay to clear out and lock up the crawlspace, bag up the stuff, and leave the bag there if I wanted to. So I did. The note says all the stuff is in the bag, nothing thrown out, can't camp here, and I added $40. The lock is flimsy but so is the access hatch, a five year old could break in, but I'll know if anyone goes in there and if necessary I'll really board it up.

Weird, huh? I think a man has been camping there, not sure how long, maybe not a long time as there is not much trash accumulated. I think the women's clothes and few kid's things were just stashed there, I don't think more than one person was camping.

[fastfredracing]

I think that was a good way to handle it. I would be freaked out if I found someone living on my property. As much as I would like to give somebody a break, and a chance, there are just too many weirdos in the world, and I would not feel safe with them around my family .
Nice that you bagged everything up, did not toss any of their belongings, and left them some extra cash. Should add a few karma points for you . Also good that you have not been robbed, or had any troubles yet. Hope it stays that way.

[M.D. Holloway]

Amazing. I would what his (or her) story is?

[mreid]

That good karma will come back to you. Great job in a freaky situation.

[rattlsnak]

that is too weird!!

[porsche4life]

Well damn, looks like I'm homeless again!

[Nostril Cheese]

This is why I moved to Hillsdale.

[sc_rufctr]

That's weird. The thought of someone living like that near my family would have me "concerned".

You did the right thing but I would also review and upgrade any security issues your property may have.
Maybe replace the flimsy access door with something better?

[jyl]

Whoever it was, didn't steal anything (but there are only shoes, skateboards, and bulky furniture on the porch and in the backyard). He was incredibly quiet and discreet. He was a smoker (empty pack of cigs) but never smoked there (no butts, no spent matches, no odors, it would have gone right up into the second floor bedroom windows that I leave cracked). No cooking equipment or signs of any attempts. Yeah, fire would be my concern too, but doesn't seem like he was doing anything.

I am now going to install security cameras. There have been more thefts in the neighborhood, petty stuff like stealing packages off porches, also more car break ins and some burglaries.

Perhaps I should reinforce the crawlspace access door, but now that I'm aware of the issue, I'll notice if the hasp or lock are broken. There is nothing in there to steal.

[aigel]

My biggest concern here is someone smoking or cooking etc. under my house, setting it on fire. I would get a contractor to close it off where you can only get in with power tools. Otherwise, it is probably not a big deal, as long as folks aren't stealing from you. Likely they won't that close to their crashing spot. I think leaving their belongings and a little cash will help their attitude towards you and hopefully will have them move on without drama, if they haven't already.

You're a good guy, JYL ...

G

[Tobra]

I would encourage you to improve the security of the living area, and would be less concerned about how easily they could break into the area under the porch. I would wager your "boarder" had a hand in your neighborhood thefts.

Motion sensor lights and cameras are an excellent idea. My brother in law had break in problems and set up a system he can monitor with his smart phone.

Be diligent, be safe my friend, do not take this lightly.

[Baz]

You obviously --- are not owned by Blue Heelers......or you would have known about these visitors the first minute they stepped onto your property.

Security cameras.......and man's best friend(s) all rolled into one!

[Gogar]

I would've left a note, stating that you had the bag and it's "time to talk."

Of course I realize that it would either make the story even better, or more dangerous. Or both.

From your description of the fella it doesn't sound like he's a "troublemaker", per se.

[M.D. Holloway]

Just saw an episode of trailer park boys where Bubbles was living under a porch. He had a microwave and found a toilet. Seems doable.

[s_morrison57]

Same thing happened to me but it was a midget and he moved into my doghouse, it was weird, dog never used the house and I felt bad when I sent him packing but he was freaking the wifey, gave him some cash too cause I felt sorry for the guy. I had full time security on the property and I found out later that he was a friend of the guard who was a very tall midget himself.

Finn

[Nostril Cheese]

Calling a little person a midget is fighting words here.

[tabs]

Well that is one more cable reality show that has just been canceled.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by s_morrison57

Same thing happened to me but it was a midget and he moved into my doghouse, it was weird, dog never used the house and I felt bad when I sent him packing but he was freaking the wifey, gave him some cash too cause I felt sorry for the guy. I had full time security on the property and I found out later that he was a friend of the guard who was a very tall midget himself.

Finn

Should have the been in green?

Surely you're not serious.

[rusnak]

I would give all of his stuff to a homeless shelter. If he wants it back, go there. No cash, no discussion, and if you come back I taze your ass and drag you slobbering like a baby to the PD and dump you there. Sorry but that's the way you have to be with homeless people. Otherwise be prepared for endless drama.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sounds like a good way to start, but damn that would freak me out.