Today, I saw four white women in their

[MineralMan]

20s to 30s drive up on my street in three cars. The got out and approach the front door of a Hmong family across the street from my house. One of the women went to the door and knocked, then backed off to join the other three. They stood in a semi-circle about 8 feet from the porch.

I thought it was odd, so I watched from inside my house The four women were talking to the Hmong woman and gesturing. She was standing just partly outside the door, but not smiling or responding. I became concerned when one of the women put both hands on her hips.

I was indoors, so I could not hear any of the conversation, but I was somewhat worried. So, I went outside and walked over and studied a branch on the ornamental crabapple tree by my curb.

The four women saw me there and immediately went to their cars and drove away. I videoed them as they drove off with my cell phone, just in case. There are some in the area who have animus against the Hmong immigrants in the neighborhood.

Perhaps it meant nothing, and I didn't do anything but make myself visible, but I was somewhat concerned. I do not know that neighbor.

[rzemanfl]

1. Sorry about your phone. n/t

[question everything]

3. LOL. I think that writing experts, of which MinerlMan certainly is, have a term for this

"misunderstanding."

[rzemanfl]

7. I can remember when phones made calls and videorecorders took video. Hell, I can

remember home movies and party lines. So can Mineral Man.

[Eliot Rosewater]

8. LOL, i get it too...Maybe the person responding is making a joke, if so FUNNY

and well done.

MM is showing us what a patriot does

HEre is another patriot




https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213524824

[MineralMan]

22. Nice catch.

[Lars39]

2. Do you know your neighbors well enough to reassure them?

[question everything]

4. Or, at least, to inquire about the mission?

[MineralMan]

11. I don't, and I don't know the nature of the situation.

So, I simply made them aware of my presence and they left quickly. I wouldn't approach my neighbor about it, since I don't know them.

[safeinOhio]

16. You don't have to mention what you saw, but

it might be nice to take some food over and introduce yourself. Hand them a card or note with your name and phone number on it and tell them they can call you if they ever need help. I would think about doing that.

Ever see movie Grand Torino?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Are "Karens" traveling in packs now?

[Ilsa]

10. Those are terrorists. nt

[MineralMan]

13. I don't know.

I really don't know what was going on. I just decided to make myself obviously visible. I do that when something seems strange in the neighborhood.

[jls4561]

6. Maybe you should go see your neighbor and say hello? Or just leave cookies and a note because of

social distancing.

It's good that you videoed it (hope you got the license plate).

[MineralMan]

12. Yes. My phone has a 4K camera.

I'm only on a waving basis with that neighbor. We pass the house when walking our dogs. They don't have much English.

[jls4561]

17. Again, with all respect to social distancing

I find a smile and a nod and maybe a bow (we Americans aren't always good at that, but I find people appreciate the effort). Perhaps leave the dogs at home.

Of course, it is up to you how to interact with the neighbors.

[safeinOhio]

18. You can google their language and translate a few

words. A greeting and a few words of friendship. That goes a long way with non english speaking folks. They may have been told to learn English and would love someone trying to learn a few words of their language.

I try to learn hello and thank you in other languages and have got a lot of love for doing it.

[MineralMan]

23. I can be polite in the Hmong language.

I learned those phrases online, and offer greetings to my Hmong neighbors, which never fails to pleasantly surprise them the first time I do. I have done so with that neighbor, as well. When I say I don't know those neighbors, I mean I am not in regular conversation with them. I don't mean that I don't communicate at all with them.

[panader0]

9. Good for you. I wouldn't be able to resist meeting this neighbor.

I love meeting and talking to people of different ethnic backgrounds.

[roamer65]

14. Good job.

Being vigilant is a good thing right now.

[PTWB]

15. Were you able to recover your phone or at least track it with a phone finder application?

[CurtEastPoint]

19. ...misplaced clause...they did not drive away w/his phone.

He said: I videoed them as they drove off with my cell phone, just in case.

What he meant was: I videoed them with my cell phone as they drove off, just in case.

[Laelth]

20. Deftly handled. n/t

-Laelth

[MineralMan]

24. Thanks. When I am concerned with something in my neighborhood,

I generally step outside and become visible, so people know I am there and aware. I'm not the only one on the block who does that. More often than not, whatever was going on stops going on.

If I don't understand what is actually going on, my visible presence is all I offer. If something bad is happening, I escalate to whatever degree is needed, including calling 911.

For example, a stray dog was menacing a couple of children on bicycles across the street from me. I rushed out of my house with an aluminum baseball bat and got between the dog and the children. I keep the baseball bat in the coat closet next to the front door, along with a fire extinguisher. The dog ran off. The children's parents came out and took the kids home, after thanking me for keeping an eye out.

[Laelth]

25. I do the same.

This is why I think that the curfews are such a bad idea. I don’t want good citizens cowering inside. I want them in their front yards, on their porches, or out in public—watching for bad actors, making their presence felt, and filming criminal activity when it is safe and feasible to do so.

That, I think, would be more effective than any curfew as your example demonstrates.

-Laelth

[MineralMan]

26. Well, nobody is enforcing curfews in my neighborhood.

In reality, such curfews are only being enforced in areas where people are gathering, at least where I am. But, after dark, I would be more hesitant to step outside to show myself anyhow. That's much less effective at night, really, unless you have a bright flashlight with you. I have one, but haven't had any reason to go out at night recently. My neighborhood in St. Paul is very quiet at night.

People need to keep an eye on the neighborhood where they live. It's an important way to help keep bad things from happening. However, it's also important to keep your own safety in mind, whatever you do. It's also important not to jump to conclusions about what is happening.

That's why simply going outside is usually enough in most cases. If nothing untoward is happening, your appearance won't change anything. I something negative is happening, your obvious observation of what is going on is often enough to stop it.

[Gothmog]

21. Good job

I bet your neighbor was happy that you came out

[MineralMan]

27. If there was something negative going on, I'm sure you're right.

If not, then I was just looking at an apple tree.