I went out for a latenight walk & I was stopped by police b/c people think I'm a criminal. What should I do?

I routinely go out for walks later at night. I sometimes go out at 8 pm. and sometimes I'm out at 11:30. I'm a 20 year old white guy. I go walking each day just for the sake of walking. I don't have a criminal record.


I'd noticed over the months that when I'd be walking, people would peer out of their windows, or stand outside the door and just stair at me as if I had no right to be walking down the street, like I must be up to no good. It always felt like people were staring at me, but I thought maybe I was just being paranoid.


Well, tonight I was out and it was about 11:15 pm. and a police cruiser came down the street real slow behind me. I did not run, I just kept walking along naturally since I had no reason to run. He pulled up beside me and rolled the window down.


He told me that I should head back home because some people called about some disturbance. He asked me my name and where I lived.


Now I don't want to go walking anymore b/c I'm afraid someone will call the police.

I went out for a latenight walk %26amp; I was stopped by police b/c people think I'm a criminal. What should I do?
You have every legal right to walk down any public street. And if you had the money and the cops continued to harass you, you could file a harassment claim against the city and the police department. HOWEVER, I doubt that you do have the money as most of us don't and if you did, you would be asking an attorney and not trying to get advise from a bunch of people who have nothing better to do than pretend they have all the answers.





My advice is try walking a little earlier? Twenty years ago, right out of high school I worked the closing shift of a fast food and I would walk home every night around 2 AM. Since I wouldn't wear the uniform home, I always carried a duffel bag with a change of clothes for after work. The cops were always stopping me and asking to search the bag and question me. I didn't mind since half the time the would give me a ride home so I didn't have to walk. And I knew they had nothing on me and were just trying to make the streets safer. Too many people are not "good citizens".
Reply:You shouldn't be afraid. Your a natural citizen and not a criminal. Maybe it's the area you live in, but if there's any disturbance in the area maybe then you should stay home for a while. Besides, it's cold and it's not that common to see anybody taking a walk late at night. I undestand if it's in the middle of the summer, but at this of the year? maybe that's what's causing the comotion in your walks. GOOD LUCK!!!
Reply:LET THEM CALL THE POLICE!!! If your not doing anything wrong, THEN TO HELL WITH THEM!!! Last time I checked this was a free country and don't let the law harsh you over walking!!! POWER TO THE PEOPLE MAN!!! You keep taking those walks if you want!!!!
Reply:It is their problem..if you have nothing to hide continue to do what you like to do. People are just wierd and from what I have noticed..they are just nosey and paranoid about things. for some reason its odd for someone to walk....if a police officer stops you again just tell them that you take nightly walks and its something you enjoy doing..ask them if it is a problem and just be respectful. also ask if there has been an increased amount of crime in the area and if that is why there were calls..and if its even safe to be out...that will show that you have nothing to hide and your just out for a nice walk..
Reply:Unfortunately in today's society if you do anything that someone else doesn't consider "normal", you must be up to some kind of mischief. But you have to remember that as a citizen you have the right to walk anywhere and anytime you like. As long as your not doing anything illegal of course.


You stated that the officer said you "should head back home", but it was not a lawful order. So you were not obliged to head home.


I guess it just depends on how much your willing to allow others be in control of your life with regards as to where and when you choose to walk. I'm sure many would disagree.


But who cares that's my take on things.


Good luck.
Reply:Well, that happens around here as well, and the police start riding around checking on everything. Take your walks before it gets so late at night and you should be fine. Also, do you know that walking late at night like that alone in todays world is very dangerous, no matter who you are? Take care.





otherwise, if this continues and your not doing anything wrong, this could be harrasement by the police department if they're singling you out for no apparent reason/
Reply:That is not cool maybe you could get out during the day more and talk to the ppl around you let them get to know you so they feel stupid for thinking you are a bad person for taking a walk! and as you are talking just mention man I like to get out and walk but one day the cops stopped me for no reason and see how they react.
Reply:Just because there was a disturbance in the force does not mean that you caused it - you may have been advised to go home because of fear for your safety and your name was taken in case you may have witnessed something.





If there was a crime in the area, it is technically sound to question people in the immediate area.
Reply:Get a dog. You won't look as suspicious while walking a dog.





I used to like walking at night too.
Reply:Carry a golf club with you for protection. If anyone is staring at you just yell "FORE"! If a cop stops you, tell him you just finished a round of golf.
Reply:People can call the police all they want. They can ask you questions and your response should be polite. Just say you are walking. That you walk nightly and have done nothing wrong. Unless it is illegal to walk after a certain hour then you have a legal right to walk the streets in the manner you are doing.





Heck, you should feel better that a cruiser is following you, thank them for the escort because personal police protection like that is fabulous. Tell him your route. Maybe he'll follow you the whole way. Think, to walk without fear of being mugged or attacked or anything of the sort.





Where do you live though? I couldn't imagine a person staring at you from their house. How do they hear you? It seems odd that they know you're walking by.
Reply:that is really crappy. keep walking!





and blame "the world today"
Reply:o wow lol. that'S kinda funny, but if people are calling the police, there might be a reason, (could be made up). But you never know who might be the person to tell you to go home the next time, just stay away from there then
Reply:Walk all you want but carry an id always.


Be polite to the cops if they question you, remember they are just doing the job they get paid for. Checking on complaints to protect the citizens.


However if they push the issue of "going home" decline the offer. Remind them politely that in fact you as a citizen pay taxes and are allow to walk on a public street. If they get silly about it, get their names and contact the desk officer at the police station in your area.
Reply:You're not doing anything wrong, so go for walks! And the people watching you might not mean anything by it.





Just a point, though: maybe the police were looking for someone else and not you...so be careful. Be safe and cautious, and protect yourself - you might run into the other guy!
Reply:they were probably just checking you out, a guy by walking out by himself at night, society stereotypes people like us as a bad people up to no good, police will let you go through assuming you don't have anything bad on you
Reply:The Officer simply was thinking of your safety. You mentioned that he said there had been a "disturbance". There is nothing to be afraid of, except for maybe walking alone at night (especially if you are in a Big City, or where there is alot of crime).





Get yourself some pepper spray - take a self defense course - get a mutt -- But keep walking!!