Are the cops watching me?

[rks171]

Ok, I live in an apartment building and have some things going on in here. Very recently, when outside the apartment, I noticed a cop sitting in his car in the parking lot with the reverse lights on as if he was just leaving. I got in my car and left to pick something up to eat. When I got back about 10 minutes later, his car was still there, but turned around in the spot and he was walking around the apartment building. When he saw me walking, he asked me what apartment complex this was. I told him and went in my apartment and watched him sitting in his car again. He sat there for like 5 minutes and then left.

I don't really have a good reason to think he would know about anything. Everything is very early on, so there should be no evidence of anything going on here. What do you think he was doing? I guess it could have just been a noise complaint or something, but I'm stressing. Am I just being way too paranoid or should I expect him to be coming back with a search warrant?

rks171 Reviewed by rks171 on 04-29-2008. Are the cops watching me? Ok, I live in an apartment building and have some things going on in here. Very recently, when outside the apartment, I noticed a cop sitting in his car in the parking lot with the reverse lights on as if he was just leaving. I got in my car and left to pick something up to eat. When I got back about 10 minutes later, his car was still there, but turned around in the spot and he was walking around the apartment building. When he saw me walking, he asked me what apartment complex this was. Rating: 5

[Dream of the iris]

hmm that is kind of sketchy. Well the only way I could see how a cop would know you're growing is if you told people you were doing this. So try and think real hard of all the people you told and go from there. But my advice to you is if you're really that worried I would just destroy the plants and buy some from a dealer. That's waaaay better than going to prison.

[jsn9333]

I'm wondering if one of your neighbors has smelled something and called the police. Growing in an apartment is not generally recommended. But you say everything is early... so that shouldn't be the case.

In theory you are fine because they have to get enough evidence to show "probable cause" to get a warrant and search your place. Essentially they have to show a judge enough evidence that you probably are growing. Unless someone has snitched on you I don't really see that happening. But cops have been known to bend those rules, and if you are a male in your 20's and someone in your building has smelled marijuana... they might decide to bend a few rules just for you.

I don't think you have much to worry about. I personally would ditch the plants after seeing a cop walking around. But that is just me. I would never grow indoors in the first place, so I'm not really the person to ask.

At the very least anyone growing in his or her home should do a little research into what lawyers in your area have criminal drug defense experience. Keep a phone number on you, and if a bust ever does go down don't say a word without your lawyer there. And if anyone ever asks to search do not let them unless they have a warrant.

[Aristotle]

A cop would know who he was surveilling and would not be stupid enough to make his presence known personally to that person.

[jsn9333]

A cop would know who he was surveilling and would not be stupid enough to make his presence known personally to that person.

True... but that is assuming someone snitched about a specific apartment or person. If someone just reported the smell in the building it is perfectly reasonable to think a cop might have a stroll around the building sniffing things out...

How early are your plants? Have you started venting the odor out yet? If so, where to?

[Euphoric7]

This is why I would construct a secret "bat-cave" before any growing went down.
Honestly, I don't think you have much to worry about, unless you frequently see cops around your place. If you decide to dispose of the plants, be careful because if he's suspicious about YOU and you're walking around with two BIG-ass bags smelling like plants or weed, he might take a look... and then you die .

[rks171]

No, it's way too early on for smell. I think you're right about the cop knowing who he would be watching. They wouldn't want to let me know they know by walking around in uniform and driving a marked police car. They were probably checking out a call on a suspicious character or something. If they were really looking around for evidence, they wouldn't of found anything (I'm pretty sure of that, anyway). I'm probably just being really paranoid.

Why can't these nazi/swine we call leaders just legalize this shit already?... It's a plant for shit's sake. Who am I murdering or molesting?

[netdog]

Should have just asked him what's going on and if you could help him.

These days apartments are hot spots for identity thieves diving in dumpsters, all kinds of things, who knows. Sounds like he got kind of report at an apartment complex name and wasn't even sure he was at the right one.

Was probably in his car so long trying to get more info.

A buddy of mine just called cops to his apt. complex last week when he was dumping his trash at 3am, and some chick in a wig was dumpster diving.

Cops busted the chick the next morning, trying to by a car on my friends info she got from his trash.

Just goes to show, watch what ya toss in the trash bin.

[hanayama]

alot of apartment complexs have police drive thru and patrol their property.
its not that uncommon
a place i lived at a couple years ago did.
keeping in mind that super atomic stealthyness is always crucial. you may be looking into this too much.

but, in saying that, the only person who can accurately evaluate this who situation is you.
go with your gut...
:rasta:

[BurnhardLonger]

Originally Posted by Aristotle
A cop would know who he was surveilling and would not be stupid enough to make his presence known personally to that person.

Cops have a person/cop/whoever go and stake it out.Then that person just calls the cop when something goes down. Plus what does the cop(undercover or not) care if he shows himself?Plus it always comes down to getting the source.'where u get it'. if your growing your own you get the law (norml.org)