Forest Hill Park Suspiciousness (what should I have done?)

Submitted by Captain-Popcorn t3_y4z9h6 in rva

Went today and two things were off. 1 - a backpack was left on one of the benches around the lake. Looked pretty rugged - industrial. (Mind immediately thought explosive). And it seemed rather full. It was there for over an hour while we walked / hiked on trails. We stayed away. And then when we went to the parking lot, an SUV near where we parked was left running with no driver. We were there for ~10 minutes by the time we got packed up. An unoccupied vehicle running is unusual. Didn’t notice any pets inside or anything. Seemed odd especially after the backpack.

We go often and never had seen anything that raised any suspicion. But today two things. Mind can easily go to the worst.

Trying to be a good Samaritan. Thought about calling the police and just saying it seemed off. But I really had nothing solid to say. Figured they’d either under or over react. And probably not appreciate the call.

I opted to just ignore it. There are rational explanations. But if I turn on the news and see an explosion happened there I’d feel bad for not reporting what I saw and felt.

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Technical_Way_6041 t1_ish80e5 wrote

This might sound grim but a backpack full of explosives would more likely be in a crowded, densely packed area and not on a bench on a hiking trail probably

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CharlesJHV t1_ishwtp3 wrote

I don’t mean to trivialize your concerns but you’re overthinking it and you shouldn’t jump to such dramatic conclusions because you saw an unattended backpack

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Captain-Popcorn OP t1_ishxvky wrote

I didn’t actually think it was an explosive. I just thought it might be. I’d like to live in a society that when someone sees something odd - where the chances of something nefarious is going on is higher than normal, that the police would want to proactively check it out. Maybe only 1 in 20 or 1 in 50 turn out to be real.

I don’t think that’s the way it is now. Maybe in the 1980s, but not in the 2020s.

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wappa_wappa_bleh t1_isgsw5d wrote

I can’t count on two hands the weird experiences I’ve had in Richmond. Best bet is to not get involved. Ya never know

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Captain-Popcorn OP t1_isgt6a9 wrote

Yes, I’m reminded of the adage “No good deed goes unpunished.”

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gdtrfb804 t1_isi0o2s wrote

You definitely should have called it in so the police chief could call a press conference claiming to have thwarted a mass terroristic event. Next time you'll know.

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dreww4546 t1_isgtmzp wrote

I've tried calling for suspicious behavior by an obviously mentally ill lady and had to argue with 911 operator just to get a car dispatched. So, you probably would have been ignored. Though I could see a scenario where they dispatch everyone and claim its another dogwood dell bombing.

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shawbelt t1_isgxrwg wrote

That’s a very fun FB group. I bet you’d have a team of neighbors out there in 5 seconds if you ask there…

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LordLandis t1_isgyffs wrote

My brain goes to drug shipment for both right away.

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zorak_robert t1_isjjk6z wrote

You should just mind your own business. That will resolve all your problems.

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Captain-Popcorn OP t1_isjk5c2 wrote

🙄

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zorak_robert t1_isjor8e wrote

Roll your eyes all you want, but that whole "see something say something" attitude you probably grew up with is just a way to condition you to fear things you don't understand.

You need to get over yourself. No matter how bad you want to be a victim, no one cares enough about you to go after you. Those things you see as threats are city life. Yes a car idling for a long time is a bad idea, but were you hurt by it? Did it roll into you? Did the backpack bite you?

You are not going to prevent the next 9/11 by calling the cops on people who are just living their lives differently than you.

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Captain-Popcorn OP t1_isju2nn wrote

You’ll notice I didn’t call the police. Just crossed my mind. Also thought others might respond with any recent issues in the park.

Sorry didn’t meet your editorial standards.

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octophetus t1_isrf4v4 wrote

Oh man, you could've given RPD their next big bs PR fest!

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wagonboss t1_ishn7r8 wrote

In Henrico, there was recently an unattended package call at a grocery store for a bag of groceries. So don’t feel bad about reporting an actual suspicious bag. But I respect & understand the hesitancy to do so

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ProcedureAdditional1 t1_isik1xh wrote

I know in DC an unattended bag is pretty much always a sign to call some type of authority, but I don't think RVA has that problem. Totally understand where your worries are coming from!

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cmyk412 t1_isgxs57 wrote

Did you take a picture of the backpack just in case?

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Captain-Popcorn OP t1_ishbhr9 wrote

No. I took a picture of the car + license plate. Didn’t get close to the backpack. Didn’t think about a picture.

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