Last week, I noticed someone running from in between 2 houses down the street from me on my camera monitor. Its about 11 am Wednesday Morning. Then I see him cutting across diagonally walking briskly going back and forth taking pictures of everybodies house or every other one. He was then across the street and bolted through my front yard onto the side of my house and my neighbors 2-story house. I muted my TV, and all of a sudden I heard click right outside of my bedroom window and then he bolted east to the street in front of my house. I couldn't see anymore and am limited, but I called the police. It was scary because he was going fast and quietly. I also noticed none of the neighbor dogs were barking... usually they bark at everything. Would anybody have a clue? Police said if it was a company they normally would never come up on anyone's property. Thank you so very much for any input. I really do appreciate it so much! Take care now, you here! (A little Texas twang for you!)

Why would someone come up in peoples yards especially the side of your house and take a picture?

OK then, may I ask question again in shorter form?

I can't think of anything and it seems as no one else can either. I would have the police checking around though. Also, is this the only time you've seen him and can you make a picture for the police from you monitors? It does sound strange but I know people who take pictures of houses they intend on buying ,but right now I'm drawing blanks. Y'all be carful, from Irving, TX. I hear the twang all the time

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Originally Posted by martilin001

Last week, I noticed someone running from in between 2 houses down the street from me on my camera monitor. Its about 11 am Wednesday Morning. Then I see him cutting across diagonally walking briskly going back and forth taking pictures of everybodies house or every other one. He was then across the street and bolted thru my front yard onto the side of my house and my neighbors 2-story house. I muted my TV, and all of a sudden I heard click right outside of my bedroom window and then he bolted east to the street in front of my house. I couldn't see anymore and am limited, but I called the police. It was scary because he was going fast and quietly. I also noticed none of the neighbor dogs were barking....usually they bark at everything. Would anybody have a clue? Police said if it was a company they normally would never come up on anyone's property. Thank ya'll so very much for any input. I really do appreciate it so much! Take care now, ya'll here! (A little Texas twang for you!)

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It could be an insurance appraiser, adjuster, anyone suffered any losses that you know of like a fire, flood ? Normally these folks will call the property owner to let them know they are coming by. Maybe it was a public property appaiser working for the county attempting to appraise the property for tax purposes, but these guys nornally do not take photos. Normally, an appraiser that's been assiged the job to figure out the value of a house will take photos not only of the house he appraising but of comparable homes in the same general area, but again, these guys will normally have to get inside the home being appraised and therefore, will call for an appointment. You didn't say, but do you live in an area that has a property owners assoc set up that might govern things like where you can build an outbuilding or what color you paint your house? If so, the Prop Own Assoc may have sent someone out to get info so they can approve or disapproved a fence, bldg, etc. Wish I could guess some more but that's all I can do is guess. I understand your reasons for being concerned and calling the police was a good idea. I would just make sure I locked my doors and windows and keep a vigilant eye out.

When I think of it my old county in Indiana was going around taking pictures of entire neighborhoods to upgrade their data banks, maybe this guy was doing something similar.

As part of a county-wide reassessment, pictures were taken around each house. But usually you would at least be aware of that.

Could be any number of things, some innocuous (an architecture student taking pics) some dangerous (a thief casing the area). You did just about the only thing you could have done. Just make sure your house is locked up tight.

Hello Lolly:

I think he was a scout for an inner city crack dealer. They're looking to break into the burbs, you know.

excon

If somebody is "running" around between houses, and "all of a sudden I heard click right outside of my bedroom window and then he bolted", sounds like either a peeping freak, or some moron scoping out the area for possible crimes later on. I'd talk with the neighbors and all keep a watch out. Get a picture of the guy if he's seen again.
It's not really that necessary to get pictures of property when you have scary websites like http://www.zillow.com/ that will show houses, values, and some city sites will give out owner's names, how much the property was sold for, detailed descriptions of the interiors, etc.