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.

Comments

[deleted] t1_isgs3hp wrote on October 15, 2022 at 9:37 PM

#112,657

[deleted]

wappa_wappa_bleh t1_isgsw5d wrote on October 15, 2022 at 9:43 PM

#112,683

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

Captain-Popcorn OP t1_isgt6a9 wrote on October 15, 2022 at 9:45 PM

#112,697

Replying to wappa_wappa_bleh (#112,683)

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

dreww4546 t1_isgtmzp wrote on October 15, 2022 at 9:48 PM

#112,720

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.

shawbelt t1_isgxrwg wrote on October 15, 2022 at 10:18 PM

#112,885

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…

cmyk412 t1_isgxs57 wrote on October 15, 2022 at 10:18 PM

#112,886

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

LordLandis t1_isgyffs wrote on October 15, 2022 at 10:23 PM

#112,906

My brain goes to drug shipment for both right away.

Technical_Way_6041 t1_ish80e5 wrote on October 15, 2022 at 11:35 PM

#113,295

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

Captain-Popcorn OP t1_ishbhr9 wrote on October 16, 2022 at 12:02 AM

#113,431

Replying to cmyk412 (#112,886)

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

Captain-Popcorn OP t1_ishbplb wrote on October 16, 2022 at 12:04 AM

#113,441

Replying to Technical_Way_6041 (#113,295)

Makes sense.

wagonboss t1_ishn7r8 wrote on October 16, 2022 at 1:35 AM

#113,860

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

CharlesJHV t1_ishwtp3 wrote on October 16, 2022 at 2:51 AM

#114,208

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

Captain-Popcorn OP t1_ishxvky wrote on October 16, 2022 at 3:00 AM

#114,252

Replying to CharlesJHV (#114,208)

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.

gdtrfb804 t1_isi0o2s wrote on October 16, 2022 at 3:23 AM

#114,351

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.

ProcedureAdditional1 t1_isik1xh wrote on October 16, 2022 at 6:49 AM

#115,004

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!

zorak_robert t1_isjjk6z wrote on October 16, 2022 at 1:55 PM

#116,326

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

Captain-Popcorn OP t1_isjk5c2 wrote on October 16, 2022 at 1:59 PM

#116,358

Replying to zorak_robert (#116,326)

🙄

zorak_robert t1_isjor8e wrote on October 16, 2022 at 2:34 PM

#116,567

Replying to Captain-Popcorn (#116,358)

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.