Peeping Tom....seriously!

Updated on June 28, 2013
L.U. asks from Kirkland, WA
12 answers

Okay, a serious question ladies. I smoke. (GASP) I am often down having a smoke when another guy that lives at our apartments is. The other day we were talking and he said that he had seen a creepy guy walking in between the bushes/trees and the windows of the apartments. When he looked again the guy had picked up his dog and was looking IN the window of an apartment. My buddy said something like "HEY! Is that where you live??" and the guy took off running. My husband has seen the same guy walking his dog looking into people's cars and trying their doors. He wears a hoody, jacket, and GLOVES while he is walking his dog. So, last night when I went down to the smoking section I saw my buddy talking with our security guy (he drives around and makes sure things are "safe"). Apparently creepy guy was out walking again and peaking in a window and my buddy called the police and made a report about a peeping tom. Gave a description and told them he had seen him before. Buddy also has talked with the apartment managers who said they have had a few complaints and were "keeping an eye", whatever that means. (he lives here)
The question.....all of our mailboxes are in the same spot. Would it be weird, or would I get in trouble, if I put up a note that said "WARNING! There is a peeping tom in our midsts! Make sure to lock your cars and close your blinds in the evening. He has been reported to the office AND the police. Please be aware of your surroundings."
What do you think?

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So What Happened?

Laurie A - I WISH the apartments HAD informed us. But they haven't!! It seems a bit ridiculous to me.
Yes, he sounds more like a "prowler", but at the same time....why is he looking in windows at 10:30 at night? I put flyers up last night and a teenage girl came out and talked with me and told me the guy has been looking in HER window! Just staring. She brought her phone up and he took off running. So, maybe a prowler with peeping Tom tendencies? Whatever the case....shouldn't be doing it.
I put notes up last night. Didn't even put his description. Just said there was a man who had been spotted looking into tenant's windows and cars and to be careful. That the police and apartments had been notified. And a little FYI to the creeper that we were watching him. :)
Thanks ladies!

More Answers

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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

Talk to your apartment manager, I honestly don't think it would be a problem. EVERYONE needs to know about this guy, and I quite frankly am surprised your apartments haven't sent out a flyer!!

Whenever something happens here, they have sent something out. Like when someone's car was broken into, they sent out something saying to lock our cars and keep eyes out.

So no, I think it's a great idea, and I am sure that many of the other tenets would appreciate the heads up.

I would also tell the police what time you usually see him, if they come around that time, they could catch him red handed possibly.

I do hope they catch that creep, and good luck!

6 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

I'd appreciate a warning like that. I would also include his description, and the description of the dog.

That behavior always escalates. Someone is going to end up burglarized, raped, or worse.

ETA: Make sure you don't post this on any mail boxes. If there is a bulletin board or something, post it on that.

5 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I would talk to my local police department and see if they can help start up a neighborhood watch program. Then get it going...

I would keep my cell phone with me at all times so I could take a picture of the creep. Did the police come out? Did they take pictures - maybe dude left shoe prints??? If he's wearing gloves in the summer? Sorry - I would suspect immediately...just like I am when I see guys wearing the LONG duster jackets in the summer...whatcha hiding under there, dude?

While I totally support posting the sign? it would be a warning to him as well...do you want him caught or gone? If you want him caught (and hopefully GONE!!) i would alert neighbors to be watchful.

I am TOTALLY for posting a sign. Don't get me wrong....

Many people get "comfortable" in their surroundings. So they stop looking beyond their nose. Remind people to LOCK doors. LOCK windows...

Ask the management company to beef up security so the guy can be caught...while it is costly...ask if they are going to install cameras or better lighting so this guy can't lurk in the shadows?

If you live on the first floor - make sure your windows and doors are LOCKED. Put safety bars in as well. If you can - install an alarm system as well.

another thing to remember...
Lock your car when you are pumping gas...people are distracted and don't pay attention...

Look in your back seat - open back doors when getting in your car...you never know what people are willing to do these days!!

Maybe I watch too many crime shows!! Be careful. Pay attention to your surroundings...

4 moms found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from New York on

Not sure how things are in Kirkland, but in NYC, multiple reports can cause an episode to become escalated. Also, there are legal ramifications of having reported a thing. Not at all on par, but if you report a pothole, the city is now aware of its existence. If there is more than one report, it is regarded as confirmed. If someone sustains injury because of a confirmed pothole, the consequences to the city are different, because, arguably, it was aware, and should have taken steps to timely correct.

Report it to the building management in writing. Report it to your police deparment in writing as well. Get a receipt.

Will this protect you from harm? NO. But it might prompt some heightened response.

Not sure about the note. I am thinking that while you might help people be more broadly aware, you might also help this guy get a thrill for having accomplished notoriety. Sounds unbalanced. Most run of the mill folks aren't peeping toms.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

4 moms found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

I wouldn't do it. It might make you a target! Better to just knock on your neighbors doors & talk to as many in person, as possible!

This isn't something to mess around with..,not to be an alarmist but they say that almost ALL serial killers start off as peeping toms! Best not to get on this guys radar!

And if you don't already have one, this would be a great time to buy yourself a great big scary dog! I mean it!!!

3 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

We have a neighborhood watch.. We have an email list of all of the neighbors that want to be included.. this is they type of thing we put out there.

If this is an apartment complex, why has the complex not sent out notices? That is the first thing our neighborhood officer would suggest.
And I know for a fact that the local apartment complexes inform their tenants about these things all of the time.

Car break ins, tire slashing, loitering people, assaults.. Child abduction attempts.. whatever is happening.

Heck they inform them for road repairs etc.. so people do not freak out when work people are going to be around.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Wausau on

You're you're not allowed to put notices or fliers in mailboxes. You'd need to properly mail them via post office. Likely, the postal carrier would remove and discard them. They don't bother prosecuting unless someone makes a habit out of it.

Also, I'm 99% sure that this is not a peeping tom, but a burglar looking for an opportunity. What you describe of his behavior and dress is an extremely common method for theft. He was looking for unlocked cars and homes without people and dogs inside.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Not to split hairs here but a peeping tom is a man who is a sexual predator who likes to watch people undress or shower. This sounds to me it's more like he's casing the joint, looking to see if there is anything worth stealing.

I would post a sign and talk to neighbors. If you can carry your cell phone or camera and take a picture of him.

Check to see if any of your neighbors are up late and are willing to keep an eye on things. The best way to discourage this type of behavior is to spend more time outside in groups. If you and your neighbors start to sit around outside and talk or play cards of whatever, he will soon see he is being watched. He might move on to another area.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

CALL THE COPS.
Take a PHOTO of him with your cell phone.
Make sure, you "memorize" his description, so you can identity him later and to the police.
I know the other guy did that, but you should too.

You cannot, put things on/in mailboxes. It is under federals laws. But make sure. And anyway, many solicitors routinely put "fliers" on mailboxes. So check your local laws. About mailboxes.
BUT....Your building manager, should be informing tenants.
Not you.
So talk to your building manager.

Now, what the heck can the Police do about it? Arrest him? What are the scenarios of this problem and its solution?
So that Peeping Tom, lives there too??????
So if he does and people have seen him do this before... then WHAT is the Building Manager doing about it?

What are the laws on Peeping Toms?
Google search it.
The BUILDING Management should be doing something about it.
Not just saying "keeping an eye out..."
I mean, that means nothing.
So then what, if they see him doing this again, they are just going to look at him? Duh.

2 moms found this helpful

M.G.

answers from Phoenix on

Mention it to people who live near you,they will then tell other people.Just stay safe:)

2 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Just FYI - a peeping tom is someone looking in windows hoping to see you naked. The guy you mention sounds like he's a potential burglar who is hoping to find an easy target. I'd probably take it a lot more seriously if I heard that my car and home were being cased by a potential thief than if a dirty old man was trying to watch me in my undies.

Figured I'd mention that in case you do post a note.

2 moms found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Kansas City on

I'd just mention it to your neighbors--that word will spread quickly!

1 mom found this helpful
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