Potential Drug Dealer- Advice Needed

So let me set the stage first then you guys can give me your opinion. I live in a townhouse neighborhood that is mainly middle class. Since my son was born last April I have had many a sleepless nights due to his sleeping habits or lack of. =)

So when you are rocking a baby to sleep each night/day you tend to stare out the window. I keep seeing this one guy always walking through my neighborhood at like every hour of the day/night. This has been going on for a year, maybe longer but I have been seeing him for a year.

This morning I go out to my car at 6 am and guess who is strolling the neighborhood? My best buddy. This time I really watch him almost tail him in my car. I notice he walks out my neighborhood to the main street meets some other guy they have the quick hand shake and then spilt. Keep in mind before I just watch him walk past my house but never really followed him. After I see that go down in my rearview mirror I head back and make sure he sees me and he knows I see him. Then I pull into my neighborhood turn around and pass him again, he throws up his arms with like a "what" look. I am hoping this may scary him off now that he may know someone is catching on.

I feel like I should report this guy to the police but it is probably a waste of time because they will have to catch him in the act. I also don't want to get wrapped up in it in fear of retaliation against my property or god forbids my family.

What would you guys do? He is not an eye sore and I am pretty sure he is someone's adult son in my neighborhood. I basically don't want to start WWIII with this guy but on the same hand I don't want drugs dealt in my neighborhood. Plus in the next year I am most likely moving to a single family house somewhere else in the area. Sadly you can't escape drugs in this country even in the "nice" neighborhoods they are being pushed everywhere, sucks.

Let me also add there are a lot of good kids in my neighborhood that don’t need this going on.

Wouldn't hurt to tip off the cops. Even if nothing comes of it at least you did something about it. It's your neighborhood man, protect it. Especially with a kid I would have no problem calling the police.

Narc him out!

mredskin, I think your little driving thing was a little over the top. When you call the cops he knows exactly who called. I don't think you have much evidence right now. By your estimation, I'm a drug dealer. I've been known to take walks at 1am, 2am. Sometimes I take the garbage, sometimes I just want the air.

It's a tough line to walk, but from what you said here I think it's a stretch to assume this guy is a drug dealer. If you followed him more than once, and the same things kept happening, then I'd say go for it. I'm not even sure what Police would do in this situation. They can't just knock on his door and search because you saw him give someone a hand shake.

Don't just call the mainline though. Make an appointment and speak to the District Chief or, if they have one, the community liaison. Try to get a face to face. Let them know that this what you have done and what your suspicions are. If you just call the local district and report it to the desk sergent, nothing will come of it.

A quick hand shake with some dude and then they split? C'mon that's got drug deal written all over it. If he's seen this happen more than once, I can't believe it's anything other than a drug deal. What else would it be?

Matty, that could be all sorts of things. Maybe he was meeting him to get a phone number, maybe that guy borrowed money, etc. Could be a ton of reason. Did they shake hands and then turn to their original directions or keep going? Perhaps they ran into each other? Maybe that's how he walks to get to his work/etc and sees the same guy every morning.

I just don't think a handshake is that much.

Your worried the cops have to catch him in the act? Thats easy! Set up a video camera..............somewhere. Then tell him that you know what he's doing and say that you want some. All you got to do is "shake his hand" after that.

I mean, he already saw you drive by him about three times or so................So, just tell him that you don't like driving across town for you stuff.

On second thought..............maybe the cops should be the ones setting up the camera. That way you won't get charged for anything.

mredskin, I think your little driving thing was a little over the top. When you call the cops he knows exactly who called. I don't think you have much evidence right now. By your estimation, I'm a drug dealer. I've been known to take walks at 1am, 2am. Sometimes I take the garbage, sometimes I just want the air.

It's a tough line to walk, but from what you said here I think it's a stretch to assume this guy is a drug dealer. If you followed him more than once, and the same things kept happening, then I'd say go for it. I'm not even sure what Police would do in this situation. They can't just knock on his door and search because you saw him give someone a hand shake.

I disagree. The best way to prevent crime is to keep your eyes open and report odd behavior. The police may not search the home, but they may tail him for a while and see if they know his aquaintances. If everything is on the up and up and this guy just likes to meander around at odd hours, nothing will come of it. On the other hand, if it turns out he is consorting with known drug dealers, maybe it leads to something bigger. Either way, word gets out that people are watching what goes on in the neighborhood and THAT's the best way to prevent crime.

Matty, that could be all sorts of things. Maybe he was meeting him to get a phone number, maybe that guy borrowed money, etc. Could be a ton of reason. Did they shake hands and then turn to their original directions or keep going? Perhaps they ran into each other? Maybe that's how he walks to get to his work/etc and sees the same guy every morning.

I just don't think a handshake is that much.

A one time occurrence is probably nothing. If they keep meeting up for a quick handshake in the street I would be pretty suspicious.