Somebody made a post a few months ago about covering their windows with aluminum in order to keep the heat out. I commented on their post, saying that I already had been doing that for a few months and that it had been quite effective. I also added that I was expecting the police to come knocking on my door any second now, because it looks absolutely psychotic from the outside: It either looks like I’m doing human trafficking or like I’m growing weed.
I was watching Breaking Bad a few hours ago, eating dinner, trying to relax after work, when suddenly my doorbell rings. Nobody rings my doorbell?! I have a T-shirt on, otherwise I’m completely naked. I look through the peeping hole and I see three police officers, standing in quite the strategic formation. I call out to them, saying that I will just be a minute. I put on some pants and gently open the door. My heart was racing.
Apparently some neighbor had called 911 because they “got worried by seeing how the windows are covered”. I explained that I am really weak against heat and I invited the police to come inside if they felt the need to check the apartment for whatever reason. I invited them twice and twice they declined. I asked whether light was reflecting harshly on any of my neighbors or the likes and that, if that is indeed the case, I can take the shit down no prob. They said “no”, thanked me for opening the door and went away.
I took the shit down. Summer’s gone anyway. And while doing so, I saw and heard them in the street below, informing some civilian with a dog about our conversation. I acted like I wasn’t interested in the scene and kept removing the insulation from the windows.
I am absolutely thrown off balance here.
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Based on your usage of 911 I assume you are in the US. Therefore: Never answer your door for the police if they do not have a warrant and sure as hell never invite them inside for any reason whatsoever. They are there to attempt to get you for a crime, any crime, and letting them inside provides them ample opportunity to make one up even if you have done nothing wrong. They are not there to help you.
Your aluminum foil is none of anyone’s business, no matter what it “looks like.” The cops can go kick rocks.
Do not talk to the police. Do not talk to the police. For good measure, do not talk to the police.
Thanks! 🩷 Ideologically, I agree 110%. But when faced with an actual real life situation, I’m always too naive and trusting. 😟
I really want to emphasize what this person above is saying, the police are not there to help you - ever.
Know your rights - Do not invite them to find something on you. Never ever volunteer to be searched, never offer to allow them in your house or your car without a warrant. You have the right to decline to be searched, its the 4th amendment in the bill of rights. You should exercise that right each and every time you interact with the police.
Lots of people say “well if I have nothing to hide, I don’t care if I am searched”. Knowing and using your rights does not mean or imply you are guilty of anything and don’t let anyone trick you into giving up your rights by saying cooperation proves you have nothing to hide.
Nah just be a normal person and explain the situation. Its not worth the battle. Life is mundane the cops arent going to arrest you for having tin foil on the windows
4 out of 5 times that probably ends up being fine. The thing is, it doesn’t enough.
more like 99,999/100,000 and then worst case you go to the station and waste a few hours. (yes I am white how can you tell)
I know it’s hard to turn off naivety and trust but you have to sometimes.
Honestly, it sounds like this person could use some tin foil themselves. They just wanted to check there wasn’t a corpse inside and move on.
Here’s a police officer telling people to stfu and not say anything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE
(Police officer segment is about halfway through the video)
Every day is shut the fuck up Friday
Yep, hell, even when I called them to report a crime I was a victim of they gave a look-see to try to find something to bust me on (still worth calling as a victim if only to get insurance payout)
Yep, I called the police after my apartment was broken into because I knew I’d need the report for my insurance. They trashed the place while “dusting for fingerprints” and accused me of trying to commit insurance fraud when I told them what got stolen.
They accused us of having left the door unlocked despite the window screen being cut and a footprint on the bed. Then they loudly demanded to know what my cannabis pipe was for (and I’m sorry, if a cop can’t tell the difference between a classic glass bowl for cannabis and the pipes for harder drugs they’re incompetent). Cannabis was legal there. They also decided it was probably about drugs despite the prescription bottles being untouched and it involving sexual assault.
One of the cops was particularly aggressive towards us, and one was apologetic about it. But none were competent and they basically had the attitude that if you don’t have a camera they can’t do anything.
Might be better to make a police report at a station if it’s an insurance thing
For a home invasion/robbery I’m pretty sure the cops actually have to look at the scene of the crime. And I guess they also did ensure that the robber was scared away
Just a T-shirt- like Pooh bear? Or T-shirt and undies? I grew up with foil windows. It’s hot and energy is expensive! It kinda sucks that your neighbors are weird window watchers but now you know there will be a witness if anyone breaks in.
If you don’t answer the door how would you know if they have a warrant?
Slide it under or through the mail slot. Hold it up to the window. Also they tend to not knock if they really want to get inside.
Yes but to have them hold it up to the door means you had to go to the door. Which by definition means you answered
Just because you answered the door doesn’t mean you opened the door.
If they actually have one they’ll start hollering about it sooner or later.
this made me laugh really hard, you are so right lmao
Oh you’ll find out on their terms if they have one.
They just wanted to check OP wasn’t dead and move on, it sounds like they had zero interest in coming inside.
And ask for an attorney if they arrest you, then say nothing
Never invite the cops in for your own safety. That can go sideways and then you’re arrested because some idiot thought a bag of cumin was heroin.
It’s your house buddy, you can do what you like. Sounds like a neighbour might need to be taught a lesson on respecting others, and I know just the one armed man for the gob. I mean job.
I tried really hard to find the meaning of gob but all I could find is “mouth” and “sailor”. 🤣
You’re going to really enjoy arrested development when you get around to watching it
You could always put white paper (like butcher paper) on the window and then tin foil over that on the inside so it looks less like an abduction house.
No worries, it’s all good. Next year add a smiley sun sticker and “heat deterrent systems” to it or whatever, it’ll be fine.
Just in case you decide to do this again, put the foil on the outside to avoid stressing the seals around your glass with the extra reflected heat and light. Depending on how old your windows are, you could either end up losing the gas between panes or cracking the glass if there are extreme temperature differentials.
Had to do this when I was dirt poor in 2009, was a lot hotter when the window seals failed…
