Posted on 08/03/2005 4:03:34 AM PDT by nyconse
Please excuse this vanity, but I don't know what to do. Yesterday, a foreign man came into our neighborhood selling children's books. He had a map of houses that had most of the children's names on the house they lived in. He kept asking the kids about where other children lived (parents were at the bus stop so was this guy and followed them home supposedly in order to sell books). The man would not say what company he was with or produce identification.He said he was from Latvia, but didn't sound Russian. How can you sell books if you won't say what company you are with? One Mother freaked out and called the police. The police asked for ID which the guy did not produce and then let him leave. I am upset and think they should have taken him in for questioning. He could be a child molester, a terrorist or really selling children's books (Although I don't see how). My neighbor thinks we should call the FBI or Homeland Security because captured terrorists had pictures of American schools and this could be some kind of terrorist plot. I have know idea what I should do- nor does my husband-advice please.
I mean I have no idea what to do!
I would call the police... And tell them this..
"The man would not say what company he was with or produce identification."
That part says it all. I'd call the local police first, then the FBI. It seems more likely that he is a would-be child molester, or burglar, than terrorist, that's why the locals first. But I'd definately call them both. I also wouldn't hesitate to confront the guy with a group of people. Any legit door-to-door salesman would not hesitate to produce ID.
This is what I think...thank you very much everyone.
You can try Homeland Security and the FBI, regardless of whether or not the police take you seriously. It might be the data point that brings about understanding of a terrorist or criminal plot, or it might just be some wacko...
One point...Latvia is not Russia, although most of the people there speak Russian.
He must have provided some ID for the police to let him go?
Did he have a car? License Plate?
Have you tried the sheriff's office?
Call the FBI or HS. This is the kind of thing they've asked us to do: be vigilant and report anything suspicious. If you don't and something happens, you'll regret not making the call. If the guy is harmless, you'll have done no harm by being cautious.
It's not unreasonable he's being honest. This is probably a common business practice in Eastern european countries.
I'd relax. Call the FBI if it makes you feel better, but I have a hunch they aren't getting too far with it.
Actually, I wouldn't call the FBI.. I'd call the INS to see if he's a U.S. Citizen. Your local police should have taken it atleast that far. Did he have a green card?
I would expect that involving the local police is all you need to do. You should have laws prohibiting someone without a peddler's license to go door to door like that. Are you sure he refused to show identification? Were you involved in whatever discussion he had with the police? I would think before letting him go they would have satisfied themselves that he was not a threat.
That said, if you see him again in the neighborhood I would call the police again. Also, without threatening him, your husband should make him feel unwelcome in the neighborhood if he is not welcome.
But you and your neighbors should keep a watch out for him. If he comes back I would immediately call the police.
digital camera's are cheap........i have one, and do not hesitate to snap any solicitors picture....call the fbi and homeland security, something is not right
Especially the failure to produce ID when requested.
-Eric
Thanks, I've known only two people from Latvia...assuming he was telling the truth and they sounded Russian.
You said in part, "He had a map of houses that had most of the children's names on the house they lived in. He kept asking the kids about where other children lived (parents were at the bus stop so was this guy and followed them home supposedly in order to sell books)."
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OPINION: I'm glad one of the neighbor's called the police.
When you contact your local FBI office (the one that is the closest to you - http://www.fbi.gov ); mention to the agent that an officer did make contact with the suspect.
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ON THE NET...
http://www.rewardsforjustice.net
http://www.fbi.gov
http://www.dhs.gov
You're getting a lot of advice from people telling you to call the FBI, INS or Homeland Security, but I suspect you will get little if any response from them.
I don't know which Georgia county you are in, but I would never call my city police department - they are inept and corrupt. I would call my sheriff's office because they are better trained, more intelligent and more likely to deal with a problem. And that holds true in nearly every Georgia county except Fulton, maybe Clayton and probably DeKalb. Go to the sheriff's office rather than PD next time.
picture phone time.
If he returns, take out your camera a take pictures of the man, his auto etc, then call the FBI and give it to them. That way you have something concrete to give them.
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