Just so you know, if a cop ever catches you with lock picks, depending on the jurisdiction, they may try to arrest you for possession of lock picks with intent to burglarize (in the US, at least). Not saying you shouldn’t - but be mindful of what the potential legal hazards are in the worst case.
Comment on Park benches don't "open" until 10am
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
I never considered this before, but now I’m glad I carry lock picks with me everywhere. That shitty padlock would take 10 seconds and I’d be on my way with a new beginner practice lock.
Fuck hostile architecture, fuck anywhere that makes an already shitty situation worse by telling the homeless “we don’t view you as people, go die somewhere else”
gravitas_deficiency@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
I’m well aware, and unfortunately I am in one of those states. If they ever decide to search me and my purse, they’ll find it.
Mere possession is considered proof of criminal intent. But I also always have a clear acrylic lock and easy padlock to show interested people how to pick a lock. It’s fun and cheap as a hobby. So if I ever do get caught, at least I can make the argument of it being a hobby more convincing. I don’t really expect to get off easy because of that, but if I’m ever caught and searched by cops, having a set of lock picks will probably not be my biggest concern.
SirSamuel@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Locksmith here. I’m also in a state with these laws, and on top of that there is no licensing for locksmiths. I’m an ALOA member now, but when I first started I would carry a card for my friend’s lock shop. I figured I’d I ever was stopped and searched I could at least present the card as part of a broader plausible deniability. Similar to your acrylic lock. If you have a locksmith shop in your area, grab one of their cards and keep it in your purse. Ideally in your lockpick set if it’s large enough.
Also, a PSA. “Officer safety” does not trump the fourth amendment. If an officer orders you to let them search your purse for “officer safety”, anything found that isn’t related to the safety of the officer is out of bounds legally. That’s an argument for court tho. Make sure that they clearly state they are ordering you to have over your purse/bag/backpack/whatever. If they say “I’m asking you to”, that’s not an order. Saying something like, “With all due respect, I’m not surrendering my fourth amendment rights. If you order me to do something I will comply, and we can argue in court later. I want us both to get home safe tonight.” This shows you’re not volunteering to hand over your stuff, but you’re not resisting, hampering, or obstructing either. It’s a lot to remember, but “is that an order?” Is a great question to ask anytime a cop tells you something
Murse@slrpnk.net 2 days ago
I want us both to get home safe tonight.
Do not say that to a cop. If it’s taken as threatening, they can use that justification to escalate. And if it can be taken as threatening, it will be.
“I don’t consent to any searches, but you have my full cooperation with any action you feel you have probable cause to do.” “Why?” “I’d prefer not to elaborate without a lawer present. Am I free to go?”
Lots of ‘sir, ma’am, please, thank you’ etc; if they ask for your ID and it’s in your purse, say something like “It’s in a wallet in my purse, I’m reaching in to get it” (and do so slowly) but otherwise say as little as possible.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 day ago
do you have a nice starter lock you like? i’ve got one of LPL’s genesis sets (intent has to be proven in my jurisdiction and i dress too ridiculously for them to prove intent) and a bunch of shitty locks. I don’t really have a favorite yet
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
Honestly I just grab any locks I find while out (like if I find one on the side of the road) and occasionally when I see a cheap-but-not-masterlock I contemplate buying it for shits and giggles.
For a starter lock, I have several master locks that range from the cheap “smack it to open” to actual security pins, but I always want them to be easy to pick so I can introduce people without overwhelming them.
My favorite is one that I… appropriated from a previous job (accidentally took it home and forgot about it) it’s a security lock shaped like a circle to keep people away from the shackle with security pins AND can false set. It’s the “oh so you think you’re hot shit because you got 3 locks open?” lock. I’ll have to dig through some moving boxes to find the brand
hildegarde@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
Its a masterlock you don’t even need a pick.
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
A stiff breeze could do it, but you can also just hit it with a rock if it doesn’t pop open from a stern glance.
I had a shitty 40mm masterlock on my locker in middle school and I wouldn’t even bother with a key, if just yank hard on it once or twice and the jostling was enough to pop it free.
GeirGrusom@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Just get another masterlock and smash them together.
creamfresh@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Is that a brand or a type of lock?
reev@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
It’s a brand.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 day ago
it’s a brand. they open by looking at them. or a mallet.
SeductiveTortoise@piefed.social 1 day ago
“This is the lock picking Courtney and what we have here is a shitty padlock.”
Freeposity@lemmy.world 2 days ago
And it’s not even just the homeless who are affect by shit like this. I can’t tell you how many park benches I slept on in my twenties when I lived in Europe and I’d stay out too late and have to chill out somewhere until morning.
In America you can’t take a nap in your car or even read a book in your car without having the cops hassle you.
I wonder what the cops are going to do when all vehicles are driverless.
EggInDisguise@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 days ago
“the homeless” are always used as the excuse for stuff like this, but (as you are an example of) plenty of people “rough sleep” without being homeless. I’ve never slept on a bench, but I’ve spent a few nights in state parks with a hammock due to not wanting to be around my family for varying reasons. Once because I was supposed to be sleeping at a friend’s house but went to a party and decided fuck this imma leave.
It’s funny you mention reading because I’ve actually been harassed by cops for “loitering” in the park when I was sitting in my car reading.
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 days ago
is this a reference to that video of the guy waiting out the rain in a gas station parking lot by reading a book in his car?
or is this a more common genre than i realize.
gluestick@lemmy.zip 2 days ago
I’m not arguing against the bullshit that is making homelessness an even greater indignity let alone crime. Fuck that all day forever.
But I spent a greater part of three years voluntarily homeless (~15 years ago) to avoid violence at home. I consider myself extremely fortunate that I had a car I personally owned for most (but not all) of it which was a huge boon for me.
When I had a car, I parked in the back of 24h parking lots such as Walmart. Lacking that I parked behind higher end, but not too high, restaurants that kept bars open to call (2am). I was aware that in the latter case people became aware of me, but I never had problems.
When I didn’t have a car I found a ground level HVAC unit (behind grocery/department stores) because they were great at drowning out sound and giving me a relatively constant temperature.
I avoided parks because they often have posted hours and are regularly checked by police.
I’ve never been bothered by a cop. This is my truth, but not a justification.
In some countries they literally make life easier for people to live, and even enjoy living, a travelers life. The US is not such a place
protist@retrofed.com 2 days ago
I guess there are some spots with particularly awful cops, but most places, as long as you’re not parked illegally, you can totally take a nap or hang out in your car no problem
A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 days ago
All spots have particularly awful cops.
the only difference is some places have better PR/Coverup than others.
Freeposity@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Yes, I was referencing that video.
zergtoshi@lemmy.world 1 day ago
#LandOfTheFree
hanrahan@slrpnk.net 1 day ago
hop in the back, tell the cops you’re waiting for your driver to return?
OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Avoid their cameras.