car crime and criminals hanging around...

100gSoma

any suggestions how to combat this.
A VERY brief synopsis.

Partners car broken into in April in Underground car park in South Dublin.
No CCTV in the car park, but two steel shutters that require zapper to open?
All zappers in complex were changed with new frequency. Partners car needed new door and contents etc.


Roll on September. I arrive down at 7am and a dodgy character in hoody and combats is walking around. he clocks me looking at him and then walks towards me pointing at the lights and says "you think they'd change these lights themselves eh?". I know. makes no sense. I nod and get into my car. Why? because the guy looks dodge and I feel unsafe. empty underground car park at 7am and some 6ft dude walking towards me talking sh1t. he doesn't look official at all. looks dodgy to be honest. not going to associate hoodys and trainers and skint head with dodgy, but... it just looked wrong.
As I reverse out of my spot he puts out his hand and trys to stop me "sorry bud, hey, sorry"... I ignore him and reverse by him pretending not to see him and leave. I know that sounds stupid, but all I can say is, it "felt all wrong". hairs on my neck standing. something was not right with situation.
Rang the management at 9am, they had nobody in at 7am, and never send anyone to do work outside of business hours unless an emergency. So he was not an electrician. surprise surprise. the lights all worked anyway. reported it to the cops who said I should have rang them immediately I saw him. my bad.


Roll on this morning.
the SAME guy is in the underground car park. (I didn't cop this immediately that it was the same guy, still half asleep). he is talking to another resident about electrical boxes and lights etc, asking the guy where the electrical boxes are or something. The other resident looks nervous. I can tell they don't know each other. older man and young hoodie wearing guy in trainers.
On the way out of the car park I notice the electric shutter is already opened. its jammed open again. (sensor covered?). what a coincidence eh? not. I see a car by the shutter that is not from the car park, and never seen it before. parked right by the exit. It looks unusual. boy racer car. As I leave I see the "electrician" walking back to get into it. I call the cops when I leave. They say they will send a car. Im sure the guy is gone by then.
I give them the car reg. surely they can check the reg, ring the owner, and ask them where the car was at 8am and why? they say they will look into it.
Im not overly optimistic. This encounter was not as creepy as the September one as there was another person down there, but still dodgy.
Im sick to my stomach I did not challenge the guy. who are you? who you working for? who is your contact? what are you fixing? etc. stupid. was half asleep and just wanted to avoid it. then it all made sense about 5 mins after I left. what can be done really. nothing. Im really surprised he came back. Im not sure I would challenge him on my own. big guy, and there's the risk of a screw driver in the side etc.

cosmic

I'd get onto my management company if I were you. You pay management fees, right? Well why the f*ck can't they sort you out some security or something? Withold payment...

biko

If he's there tomorrow drive outside and break into his car before he can get out.
Poetic justice.

mikemac

Don't put yourself at risk by challenging them.
Well you can ask them questions but don't do something you are uncomfortable with

If your intuition tells you this is dodgy then you are almost certainly correct.
Call the management company and demand they get security, that is what you are paying fees for.
Follow this up with a registered letter and keep a copy, the letter will have the points you discussed.

If they still ignore it, then maybe inform the other residents to call the local garda station and management company each time they see this messing.
If both of them are getting hounded with calls, action will be taken.

Many estates have security, it can be arranged very easily

And if they don't they why pay fees at all!

Sofiztikated

So a guy that tries to make polite conversation deserves to get the Gardi called? And him trying to stop you getting killed from the Mad Axekiller in your back seat!

Jesus Wept

100gSoma wrote: »

any suggestions how to combat this.
A VERY brief synopsis.

Partners car broken into in April in Underground car park in South Dublin.
No CCTV in the car park, but two steel shutters that require zapper to open?
All zappers in complex were changed with new frequency. Partners car needed new door and contents etc.


Roll on September. I arrive down at 7am and a dodgy character in hoody and combats is walking around. he clocks me looking at him and then walks towards me pointing at the lights and says "you think they'd change these lights themselves eh?". I know. makes no sense. I nod and get into my car. Why? because the guy looks dodge and I feel unsafe. empty underground car park at 7am and some 6ft dude walking towards me talking sh1t. he doesn't look official at all. looks dodgy to be honest. not going to associate hoodys and trainers and skint head with dodgy, but... it just looked wrong.
As I reverse out of my spot he puts out his hand and trys to stop me "sorry bud, hey, sorry"... I ignore him and reverse by him pretending not to see him and leave. I know that sounds stupid, but all I can say is, it "felt all wrong". hairs on my neck standing. something was not right with situation.
Rang the management at 9am, they had nobody in at 7am, and never send anyone to do work outside of business hours unless an emergency. So he was not an electrician. surprise surprise. the lights all worked anyway. reported it to the cops who said I should have rang them immediately I saw him. my bad.


Roll on this morning.
the SAME guy is in the underground car park. (I didn't cop this immediately that it was the same guy, still half asleep). he is talking to another resident about electrical boxes and lights etc, asking the guy where the electrical boxes are or something. The other resident looks nervous. I can tell they don't know each other. older man and young hoodie wearing guy in trainers.
On the way out of the car park I notice the electric shutter is already opened. its jammed open again. (sensor covered?). what a coincidence eh? not. I see a car by the shutter that is not from the car park, and never seen it before. parked right by the exit. It looks unusual. boy racer car. As I leave I see the "electrician" walking back to get into it. I call the cops when I leave. They say they will send a car. Im sure the guy is gone by then.
I give them the car reg. surely they can check the reg, ring the owner, and ask them where the car was at 8am and why? they say they will look into it.
Im not overly optimistic. This encounter was not as creepy as the September one as there was another person down there, but still dodgy.
Im sick to my stomach I did not challenge the guy. who are you? who you working for? who is your contact? what are you fixing? etc. stupid. was half asleep and just wanted to avoid it. then it all made sense about 5 mins after I left. what can be done really. nothing. Im really surprised he came back. Im not sure I would challenge him on my own. big guy, and there's the risk of a screw driver in the side etc.

my cúnt it was.

Cianos

It's interesting how paranoid living behind a gate can make you.

the locust

If you see anyone 'dodge' that you know isn't from there and is acting suspicious around the cars and you KNOW hes up to no good - ring the local garda station immediately, that means right there and then, and just say "hi, there's a guy here in <insert location> breaking into a car, he's wearing <insert brief description of clothing> can you send someone" that should get a good response.

dionsiseire

I wouldnt challenge him, you did right ringing the guards and getting them involved, i'd personally take note of the times you rang and told them and they "sent a car" and when this guy eventually breaks into another car and you've proof of i told you so, now here's the license, go get him

Personally i think Cosmic is right, Management Company, Withhold Management payments, ask HOW is he getting in, WHY is there no security, Why is he not being challenged while pretending to be an electrician or whatever in your complex when you have prior alerted them.

I think your doing 90% everything right, follow it true with management and get tough on them. You shouldnt have to feel unsafe in your own home patch

Theta

He may be paranoid about what the guy will do, I doubt he is going to murder you but you have to admit it is unusual behavour!!

I most likely would have asked if he lived in this building or if he worked for the management company and see what he says.

Rhyme

Cianos wrote: »

It's interesting how paranoid living behind a gate can make you.

It's not paranoia if there really is something going on.

Theta

the locust wrote: »

If you see anyone 'dodge' that you know isn't from there and is acting suspicious around the cars and you KNOW hes up to no good - ring the local garda station immediately, that means right there and then, and just say "hi, there's a guy here in <insert location> breaking into a car, he's wearing <insert brief description of clothing> can you send someone" that should get a good response.

The plod might get a little pissed when they arrive and just see a guy trespassing and not breaking into a car.

the locust

i would challenge him ask him 'do you live here? whats that? no? then tell him to fook off! but thats just me, its probably best advice not to but then again i enjoy confrontations so prob best pay no heed!

the locust

irlmarc wrote: »

The plod might get a little pissed when they arrive and just see a guy trespassing and not breaking into a car.

i'm sure they'd be interested in this 'dodge' character fixing the lights yer mans on about, enough to arrest him and bring him back to the station - still gets them there a little faster than normal anyhoo

100gSoma

thanks for the replies. Yes we pay management fees. and yes the management seem to be useless. They need a report from a security officer first. this assessment took a month to do for some reason. Then the directors must look at the security officers recommendations. Then they must tender for these recommendations etc (CCTV was recommended after Sept. incident). No CCTV yet, although I am assured they are looking at quotes and the directors must approve this expenditure etc. It's going nowhere though. Im renting so thankfully can move shortly when my rent is up. If I had bought there I would be very unhappy. One of the shutters in the same devlopment (but not my car park) is broken for 4 weeks now. totally opened. you can walk in, take what you want and walk off. I challenged the management on this, and they told me that the cost of the motor to fix saod shutter is 1000euro and they are waiting on directors approval. Oh please! 4 weeks! If that was my shutter on my car park I would ring them everyday 3 times a day until it was fixed. Im inconvenienced for repairs spent on damaged car door in april so don't fancy it again.

for the axe killer, and paranoia comments. I suppose u have to expect some flak no matter what you post in AH. I'm pretty certain the guy is not legit, he was not sent by management to inspect lights at 7am etc and then ask residents about where the electrical boxes are etc when he gets spooked crouching by a car (as happened to me). polite conversation? doubt it.

cosmic

The management company sound like a joke! :eek:

As soon as your lease is up get out of there! You'd think in this day and age people would be falling over themselves to keep tenants happy. It'll be their loss when you go and they're stuck with another empty apartment :cool:

Menengroth™

So there I was, got up at 6am to head over to the southside and fix some power issues they'd been having in the basement car park before heading down to wexford for another job. Whilst in said basement i was talking to one of the residents and we both had to stop and stare at the eejit who was sneaking and crouching his way along the cars like a drunken ninja thinking we couldnt see him in his suit and briefcase. The fella I was talking to started to look nervous recognising him as the nutjob from 4a and muttered "briefcase wanker".

Dreading having to go back there tomorrow.

100gSoma

Menengroth™ wrote: »

Dreading having to go back there tomorrow.

ad so you should be mate. preparations are being made.

Theta

100gSoma wrote: »

ad so you should be mate. preparations are being made.

hmmmmm boodie twraps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEkpIdz7BLM

Sofiztikated

100gSoma wrote: »

thanks for the replies. Yes we pay management fees. and yes the management seem to be useless. They need a report from a security officer first. this assessment took a month to do for some reason. Then the directors must look at the security officers recommendations. Then they must tender for these recommendations etc (CCTV was recommended after Sept. incident). No CCTV yet, although I am assured they are looking at quotes and the directors must approve this expenditure etc. It's going nowhere though. Im renting so thankfully can move shortly when my rent is up. If I had bought there I would be very unhappy. One of the shutters in the same devlopment (but not my car park) is broken for 4 weeks now. totally opened. you can walk in, take what you want and walk off. I challenged the management on this, and they told me that the cost of the motor to fix saod shutter is 1000euro and they are waiting on directors approval. Oh please! 4 weeks! If that was my shutter on my car park I would ring them everyday 3 times a day until it was fixed. Im inconvenienced for repairs spent on damaged car door in april so don't fancy it again.

for the axe killer, and paranoia comments. I suppose u have to expect some flak no matter what you post in AH. I'm pretty certain the guy is not legit, he was not sent by management to inspect lights at 7am etc and then ask residents about where the electrical boxes are etc when he gets spooked crouching by a car (as happened to me). polite conversation? doubt it.

Ah, see, nowhere in you OP did you say that.

100gSoma

yeah, I suppose I didn't want to go into every single detail. but as I came out of the inner door into the car park I noticed him rise up very quickly from a car and then start walking toward me muttering about the lights etc. Im sure there were other queues that made the whole thing seem "not normal".

Sofiztikated

100gSoma wrote: »

yeah, I suppose I didn't want to go into every single detail. but as I came out of the inner door into the car park I noticed him rise up very quickly from a car and then start walking toward me muttering about the lights etc. Im sure there were other queues that made the whole thing seem "not normal".

Well, you went into a whole pile of detail about how he was a hoodie wearing scummer, and boy racer car, and how he was dodgy.

What I can gleam from the "facts" you posted

• You met a guy in comfortable dress.
• Didn't like said guy.
• jumped wildly to conclusions
• did absolutely nothing about it, bar ring the Gardi with some vague details
• went onto the interwebs
• ...

Captain Havoc

Wouldn't your rent include secure parking? There's no shortage of appartments out there at the moment, tell them to provide secure parking or get stuffed!
You definately did the right thing not getting into a conversation with the guy or you could have been posting "some scummer attacked me in the car park of my appartment block this morning". 6ft, I wouldn't go near him.
Being in the car park makes him a tresspasser (I assume it's private) so the gards could call around on that basis.

Trev M

Ive no advice really. Safety first. Baseball bat in your car at all times just in case.

I think you should write a book. I like your writing style ,

damone

same type of **** goin on where i am ,we had five cars broken into one nite last week ,i wouldnt confront anyone in an underground car park,never mind the ****e talk there could be others hiding anywhere,whether gates are workin or not its easy to get into them!ring the cops thays what they are there for!!!!

100gSoma

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Well, you went into a whole pile of detail about how he was a hoodie wearing scummer, and boy racer car, and how he was dodgy.

What I can gleam from the "facts" you posted

• You met a guy in comfortable dress.
• Didn't like said guy.
• jumped wildly to conclusions
• did absolutely nothing about it, bar ring the Gardi with some vague details
• went onto the interwebs
• ...

So your the one? There's always one. I don't think you could "gleam" (I'm guessing you meant glean) facts from an encyclopaedia. :rolleyes:
No wild jumping was involved, I enquired with the Management if they had someone on site at 7am in 'comfortable dress''(which I suppose could be work wear depending who you ask) to fix lights and talk to residents about location electrical boxes. They didn't. how strange. And yes I did more than ring the gardai with vague details. I rang the gardai and the management with a full description (on both occasions) a time, a list of the events, the guys car reg and car type, and justifications as to why he was up to know good. i.e. falsely claiming to be on site to fix lights.
you sir are a moron.

WindSock

No problem with jumping to wild conclusions in your head if something doesn't sit right. If you are right and didn't do anything you would be pissed off. If you are wrong and did do something (such as contacting the Gardai, not go all vigilante) then you will only feel a bit silly. The chap you called the Gards on would have nothing to worry about if he weren't up to something anyway.

Sofiztikated

100gSoma wrote: »

So your the one? There's always one. I don't think you could "gleam" (I'm guessing you meant glean) facts from an encyclopaedia. :rolleyes:
No wild jumping was involved, I enquired with the Management if they had someone on site at 7am in 'comfortable dress''(which I suppose could be work wear depending who you ask) to fix lights and talk to residents about location electrical boxes. They didn't. how strange. And yes I did more than ring the gardai with vague details. I rang the gardai and the management with a full description (on both occasions) a time, a list of the events, the guys car reg and car type, and justifications as to why he was up to know good. i.e. falsely claiming to be on site to fix lights.
you sir are a moron.

I like bullet points today, so I'm using them again.

• Glean is actually what I mean, typo.
• Yes there is always one.
• Don't insult me, insult the post. Read the charter. And by whacking in a smiley, thats like saying, "No offense but..." Obviously means you do mean offense.
• Fair play to reporting him, with full details, I admit I was a bit sleepy when I read it first, and it just sounded like "Oh My God, there was someone wearing a hoody in my lovely gated community." For that, I apologise.
• To try and combat it, bear traps. And spike pits. (Serious answer, keep on the management companies back. Or move.)

100gSoma

Thanks for replies. Yes, I will keep on managements back. Spoke to them an hour ago. They said CCTV is on the way. It has been on the way for a while as outlined earlier though. If its the same situation in next 8 - 12 weeks I will move when my lease is up then. There are plenty of apartments with secure parking and 24hr concierge etc for the same money I'm paying now.