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UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse? (Viewed 5022 times)
Rinzler 


Location: New Jersey


Nomad

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 20 on 6/9/2010 3:28 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Ive actually ran into homeless/crack heads and had a full conversation with them. Most of the time they wont bother you if you dont bother them. Respect their space (where they are living in the abandonment) and they wont bother you for shit. They might try and talk to you but thats most they are going to do. They dont want to get kicked out either so they most likely wont cause trouble.

And as far as scrappers go. Usually they arent a problem either because youre also breaking the law just like they are. If you tell them youre just there taking pictures and that you(yourself) are trespassing as well they will just ignore you like youre not even there.

Ive ran into my share of Scrappers/Homeless/Crackheads and have never once had a problem. Just tell them what you are doing there and continue on your way.

Twisted Orchid 


Gender: Female


My inner child is a mean little fuck

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 21 on 6/9/2010 3:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Played
Ive actually ran into homeless/crack heads and had a full conversation with them. Most of the time they wont bother you if you dont bother them. Respect their space (where they are living in the abandonment) and they wont bother you for shit. They might try and talk to you but thats most they are going to do. They dont want to get kicked out either so they most likely wont cause trouble.

And as far as scrappers go. Usually they arent a problem either because youre also breaking the law just like they are. If you tell them youre just there taking pictures and that you(yourself) are trespassing as well they will just ignore you like youre not even there.

Ive ran into my share of Scrappers/Homeless/Crackheads and have never once had a problem. Just tell them what you are doing there and continue on your way.


Awesome, thanks for the heads up. I'm hoping to avoid it all together but I'd like to be prepared for the unexpected!

gr8fzy1 


Location: Waterbury, CT
Gender: Male


Fewer and Fewer...

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 22 on 6/13/2010 10:43 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
It's true...you never know what's gonna happen. I've only had ONE bad run in and I've been exploring and photographing for 3 years. But one time, I heard two bums talking to each other...one of them couldn't remember where he had hidden his stash of beer. As luck would have it, I had seen it in my travels through the place. So I spoke up about it to them and led them to the stash (24 pony bottles of Heineken). The guy offered me one, but I turned it down (I don't drink)

I also collect bottles and cans for cash, and in one place I was shooting I ran into a guy who must have seen me around town. And he gave me HIS cans!

Do you know how pathetic and embarrassed that made me feel? A bum was giving me HIS cans! *Shakes head and sighs*

Softly creeping through
Empty hallways decades old,
glimpsing history.
heinrick 


Location: Cascadia
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 23 on 6/13/2010 11:06 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I entered a house that smelled pretty bad, but not unlike other places I had been in. There were signs of activity, so I spoke out and made my presence known, but it didn't do any good to the dead squatter in a sleeping bag upstairs. He had probably been dead for a few weeks.

If you find yourself in this situation, I recommend an anonymous phone call to the local authorities. Sure, the abandonment was designated a crime scene and boarded up, but it was the right thing to do. Nobody else needs to stumble upon shit like that! I just told the police I went in after my lose dog and discovered the body on accident...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heinrick05/
Twisted Orchid 


Gender: Female


My inner child is a mean little fuck

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 24 on 6/14/2010 3:35 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by heinrick
I entered a house that smelled pretty bad, but not unlike other places I had been in. There were signs of activity, so I spoke out and made my presence known, but it didn't do any good to the dead squatter in a sleeping bag upstairs. He had probably been dead for a few weeks.

If you find yourself in this situation, I recommend an anonymous phone call to the local authorities. Sure, the abandonment was designated a crime scene and boarded up, but it was the right thing to do. Nobody else needs to stumble upon shit like that! I just told the police I went in after my lose dog and discovered the body on accident...


OMG I'd have totally freaked.

mikmac 


Location: Knoxville
Gender: Female




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 25 on 6/18/2010 5:30 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
(Note: I'm a 5'0, 20 year old woman.)
Over the years, I've learned some of the best things to do to avoid trouble when it comes to bums, hobos, etc are:
(These suggestions are more for if you're alone and a woman.)
1. Get a one of those key chain pepper sprays and put it on one of those metal clips. When you go exploring, clip the pepper spray to your bra strap so it hangs outside your shirt. That way it's quick on hand, and it makes it clear that you're not fully defenseless.
2. Steel toe boots are great.
3. If your walking train tracks, (especially at night) be aware of hobo tents on the side as well as people sleeping under the bridges. It can be especially dangerous during the summer and closer to freight yards. When you see a tent there tends to be more than one hobo. They tend to be more protective of these dwellings because they do tend have more possessions in them. Also there tend to be tents in close radius to parole offices.
4. If you smell fresh urine (especially if it's a lot) and it's a place that normal drunk people wouldn't have a reason to visit, just leave. If often means they've been drinking, and drinking so much they can't make it outside. Not a good situation to be alone in a building with a heavily drunken man.
5. If you go in a building, and you find sleeping bags, etc, but no hobos, don't be too freaked out. They are more than likely out panhandling so they can eat. Just don't disturb their stuff.
5. During the summer (more applies if you live in hotter areas), you won't have a big chance of running into hobos in buildings. Because it tends too hot so they are more likely under bridges at the time or just sitting outside.
6. Have cigarettes to share. If you run into a hobo on the streets say "hey, buddy want a smoke". If you frequent an area, they tend to remember you and can help you out at times or know that you aren't a threat to them.
7. If you are going somewhere dangerous with known hobos and you are freaked out about it, carry wasp spray. It shoots ten feet, but it only works if it hits eyes or mouth. Only use this if someone is CHARGING you NOT IF THEY ONLY LOOK DANGEROUS. Do not attack someone for no reason. This will only make someone pause for less than five minutes.
8. Do not pull a knife or gun, when confronted. Hobos normally have those things and will beat you in a fight. Pepper spray and dialing 911 are your best bets.
9. If you connect with a homeless group, sometimes it's nice to leave them bread (like those $1 bags you get at the store) by their tents to be on good terms.
10. If you are in a bad part of town at an unreasonable hour and a sketchy person is walking near you and you feel unsafe, make it obvious you've pull out your phone, have your pepper spray in your hand, and walk confidently. Don't look fretful. Act like you have the biggest balls. 9/10 that person means no harm and won't bother you. Doing these things helps avoid any trouble.
11. If you run into the homeless, don't be scared or aggressive. Those behaviors tend to cause bad reactions. Be calm and confident with your actions and voice. Act like they're your bud and be friendly.
12. Sharing is caring. If someone stops you on the street, say 'Hey bud, you okay?. Need a smoke?' A lot of times, kindness knocks muggers off course.

Do what your comfortable with. All these suggestions come from my own experiences. DO NOT TAKE THEM AS CORRECT OR THE BEST IDEAS.

Best hobo story: Last year, I had the same general sessions court case as a homeless man in my town. I had court in the morning and then an art show at night. He showed up to support me at my art show.

Worst: I had been leaving food at a hobo tent for about a month. They were my buds. One night, I heard yelling and it turned out to be another drunk hobo screaming at my hobos and throwing rocks at them. I went over, pulled out my phone, and started screaming about calling the police. I broke up a hobo fight in a sun dress.


\/adder 


Location: DunkarooLand
Gender: Male


I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race.

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 26 on 6/18/2010 6:28 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I've run into bums, squatters, "white buffalo", etc, etc. Crazy people are quite entertaining, everyone has a story to tell. The people who don't have anything interesting to say are the ones you are least likely to encounter in this hobby.

Ask to hear their story, no really, ask them if you don't have someplace better to be. People like attention, like to be listened to, it is an excellent way to get on their good side and you never know you may learn something.



By the way the worst thing I've ever run into away from was a hornets nest.

"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis...
\/adder 


Location: DunkarooLand
Gender: Male


I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race.

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 27 on 6/18/2010 6:35 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by gr8fzy1

I also collect bottles and cans for cash, and in one place I was shooting I ran into a guy who must have seen me around town. And he gave me HIS cans!

Do you know how pathetic and embarrassed that made me feel? A bum was giving me HIS cans! *Shakes head and sighs*


My grandfather used to do that on cape cod beaches every summer. Switched from metal detecting to canning. MD is hit or miss, but there are always cans. He never needed the money though it didn't hurt, just liked cleaning up the beaches, and it was a hobby, keeping himself busy.

He had some guy run up and hand him a bag of cans as he was leaving, he thanked the man, turned around and put them in the trunk of his brand new Buick got in and drove home...

The Samaritans facial reaction was pretty priceless.

jeez I'm tired ... two edits
[last edit 6/18/2010 6:37 AM by \/adder - edited 2 times]

"No risk, no reward, no fun."
"Go all the way or walk away"
escensi omnis...
ImpulseVariable 


Location: USA
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 28 on 6/18/2010 7:47 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Post by mikmac
Worst: I had been leaving food at a hobo tent for about a month. They were my buds. One night, I heard yelling and it turned out to be another drunk hobo screaming at my hobos and throwing rocks at them. I went over, pulled out my phone, and started screaming about calling the police. I broke up a hobo fight in a sun dress.


Freaking beautiful. That picture is lol-worthy.

"A preoccupation with the next world clearly shows an inability to cope credibly with this one."
Twisted Orchid 


Gender: Female


My inner child is a mean little fuck

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 29 on 6/18/2010 1:08 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by mikmac
(Note: I'm a 5'0, 20 year old woman.)
I went over, pulled out my phone, and started screaming about calling the police. I broke up a hobo fight in a sun dress.



Absolutely hilarious. I loved this part, the rest of the info was very helpful but this made me laugh outloud. Thanks!

ENDO 


Location: DALLAS
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 30 on 8/23/2010 10:03 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I have squatted in buildings around Dallas when I was younger and was homeless and I never have had problems with any people I have ran into. If you are scared a can of pepper spray would be a good last resort. You might do better with some smokes and spare change. It has been my experience that people don't care what you are doing as long as you are not the cops.

Do Not Panic!
Urban-Explorer 


Location: Hell's Drain
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 31 on 8/23/2010 9:58 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I haven't run into anybody, anything since I've started, and plan to keep it that way.

Main Site: urban-explorer.co.cc
Forum Gallery: ue-gallery.co.cc
MonkeyPunchBaby 






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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 32 on 8/23/2010 10:55 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
When I was working in New Orleans and western LA after Katrina and Rita, i found several dead bodies. It is probably the worse smell i have ever experienced. On top of that it is just a horrifying and scarring event. I will never be able to get those bodies/faces out of my mind.

Gutter Monkey 


Location: Melbourne, Australia
Gender: Male


Tell me if this tickles

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 33 on 8/24/2010 9:02 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Urban-Explorer
I haven't run into anybody, anything since I've started, and plan to keep it that way.


Meeting new people is half the fun! Sometimes they share their hobo wine with you.

splumer 


Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 34 on 8/24/2010 12:30 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I've only ever run into one once, and he was asleep. We apologized for waking him up. I've found hobo hideouts many times, though.

Personally, I would never give them cigarettes, just on general principle, but I'm a big enough dude that they probably wouldn't bother me.

Moral of the story: never go alone.

“We are not going to have the kind of cooperation we need if everyone insists on their own narrow version of reality. … the great divide in the world today … is between people who have the courage to listen and those who are convinced that they already know it all.”

-Madeline Albright
bouncewiggle 


Location: Johnson City, TN
Gender: Female




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 35 on 8/24/2010 6:06 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
We accidently woke up some squatters while draining once. They were sleeping in an open floor of a building next to the outfall. One guy in our group kept shining his light up there, saying "Oh no! There are people! Are they going to attack us? What is he doing? He's walking toward us!" (Imagine a middle-aged, scrawny British guy who's afraid of bugs in drains and you'll get the picture.) One of the squatters came out and said, "Hey - can you guys stop shining that light up here? We're trying to sleep and if you keep shining that light, the police are going to come." We said "No problem" and tried to keep our silly British companion quiet.

Also... if you're going to use pepper spray, be careful. The stream kind is impossible to aim unless you're an expert marksman. The fog kind will just screw you over, too. It only really works when you're close to someone, and if the wind is in the wrong direction you're going to get sprayed too. It's really not that great of a defense mechanism, but I suppose it's better than nothing.

The best thing is to be nice and maybe look a little like a hobo, too. People don't often try to mug hobos, even if they have thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment in that ratty old backpack. And like everyone has said, a pack of cigarettes and a few bucks goes a long way. Hobos are just people, like the rest of us. The more equal you treat others, the better your chances of being treated well by them.

"bouncewiggle, now more entertaining than Jell-O"
Superlocrian 


Location: Austin, TX
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 36 on 8/24/2010 8:04 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I recently ran into a guy outside of a chemical plant who may or may not have been a drug dealer, he looked pretty nice and had a nice demeanor, but he asked if we wanted to buy something and we declined and said we where just checking out the chemical plant. he then walked into one of the buildings and we got out of there. seemed pretty suspicious to us but we didn't stick around long enough to find out what he was doing there.

vov35 


Location: Maryland
Gender: Male




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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 37 on 8/25/2010 1:28 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I really have no issue with squatters; pretty sure most would show you around. just hope you don't stumble into a gang hideout or a growroom or other drug lab....

"Only sheep need a shepherd." -- Voltaire
emdf7a 


Location: Illinois
Gender: Male


You dont want any of this.

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 38 on 8/25/2010 1:41 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Just leave em alone. They don't want anything to do with you anyway. If it is that sketchy, I don't want to be there anyway.

badgerbadger 


Location: Rhode Island
Gender: Male


Hey look, a ______! I wanna climb it!

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Re: Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse?
<Reply # 39 on 8/25/2010 2:33 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I've run into a lot of Hobos living in Charlotte, NC, but never while Urbexing. I worked at Wal-mart and footed my way to work, so I would meet them along the way/while I was there. Share a smoke with 'em, bought one guy a sandwich at McD's. They all have great stories to share, and they are very interesting people if you are willing to sit with them, talk share and listen.

It's like Social Exploration.

[23:30:28] <Trap> Protip: Soylent Green is people
[23:30:39] <badgerbadger> Best. Protip. Ever.
UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Ever Run Into Bums, Squatters, or Worse? (Viewed 5022 times)
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