Visitor from the Census Bureau?

[Speedo66]

Since I retired in March after 40 years as a peace officer, I applied for and took a test to work as a census employee.

Throughout training they stressed to first identify yourself with the ID you are always supposed to be wearing in the field.


You then hand folks a printed sheet mentioning that their answers are confidential.

If you can't get the info for whatever reason, there is a proceedure to follow. No need to stay against someone's wishes.

What I am doing at this point is mapping addresses to be sure they have all of them to be able to mail surveys to each address, apartment, etc. It's important if only to be sure your community gets the federal funds and representation they should.

I am employed by the gov't itself (US Dept. of Commerce, Bur. of the Census) on an hourly basis, and drive my own vehicle, with a mileage allowance.

I'm working in an urban and suburban environment, and I sure as he$$ would get off somebody's property if they asked me to.

As to the "enumerator" involved in your incident, it sounds like he could use a little more training (and social skills).

Like everything else, don't judge all by one individual.

 

[LibShooter]

I predict the real use of the GPS data will be for a really enhanced 911 system. You call emergency services from a cell phone, and the data base can match the nearest address... even if you can't say a word.

Sounds like a lifesaver to me.

 

[Smith]

I predict the real use of the GPS data will be for a really enhanced 911 system. You call emergency services from a cell phone, and the data base can match the nearest address... even if you can't say a word.

Sounds like a lifesaver to me.

I may be wrong, but don't the vast majority of cell phone 911 calls come from a location other than the person's house?

 

[Cannonball888]

I have found that screaming and clutching at my crotch at random intervals while talking with census workers makes the conversations gratifyingly short.

Good strategy. I never thought about pretending I had an agonizing case of crabs.

 

[LibShooter]

I may be wrong, but don't the vast majority of cell phone 911 calls come from a location other than the person's house?

My point exactly. You call 911 from a cell phone from anywhere. Modern cell phones have GPS technology. Your exact longitude and latitude coordinates may show up on the dispatchers screen. Not real useful. With this data, those cordinates could quickly and accurately be converted to a real street address.

If I'm clutching my chest on a public street I'd would rather a paramedic get this message: "Possible heart attack victim at 123 Main Street."

As apposed to "Possible Heart Attack Victim at 45.1275N and 88.3472W."
(And no, I have no idea where that is.)

 

[Zundfolge]

I predict the real use of the GPS data will be for a really enhanced 911 system.

They already have that data, I don't know why the Census bureau is concerning itself with GPS data at all anyway, all that data is collected already and easily available cheap (and often free). Also the Census bureau has absolutely nothing to do with 911. Period. 911 systems are run by the states, so I seriously doubt this data collected is going to be used for 911.


I mentioned before to go google GIS, well for those that haven't, GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. GIS is essentially CAD for mapping.

Most commercial grade mapping software is Geocoded to the 1000 block at least (that means the line segment that makes up a block is already tagged with data that says what the address range is), this data is also tied to either LAT/LONG data, or DMS (or most likely both, plus a couple other protocols).

Again, I can't for the life of me figure out what nefarious plans the Census department could possibly have for GPSing your address unless their too lazy or stupid to just buy the damn data from ESRI or even get it for free from State and County governments.

Seriously the real reason for us to be upset about this is the immense waste of tax dollars to collect data the government (and at least half dozen private companies) already has.

As apposed to "Possible Heart Attack Victim at 45.1275N and 88.3472W."
(And no, I have no idea where that is.)

That would be in the middle of nowhere just northwest of Green Bay Wisconsin.
Seriously though, most 911 systems would already pop up a map on the dispatch's screen and give them the nearest street addresses (I understand many, especially rural and under funded emergency dispatch offices use Google Maps).


Seriously, Google Maps already has good enough data that you could program precision guided munitions to take out anyone in North America or Europe, and its free.

 

[ccsniper]

census people showed up at a friends house while i was there once... old van drives up old lady gets out, friend hands me a single barrel shotgun and says, "if she tries to get in shoot her." most serious look on his face. she hands him a paper and id's herself does her thing and leaves. i sit there kinda feeling funny and he just says "i live in the middle of nowher.e for a reason, if i see someone i dont know, i load a gun and get ready to shoot." so i will never drive up to his house in a car he hasnt seen before. but i think you did good, maybe you shouldnt of walked outside without a gun or a bat at least some kind of weapon

 

[LibShooter]

They already have that data, I don't know why the Census bureau is concerning itself with GPS data at all anyway, all that data is collected already and easily available cheap (and often free).

I realize that data exists from many different sources, the accuaracy of which may ot may not be good. Who knows how it was collected? Having Census Bureau workers collect it with controlled methods, with equipment known to work and compiled in one database not controlled by any one corporation would be a very valuable PUBLIC resource.

I'm also aware that the Census Bureau doesn't operate 911 systems. However, the data collected by the census can be used by almost any Federal, state or local agency for the public projects.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I tried hard to keep big mouth shut but here goes.

We challenge unknowns in our driveway. They fail to provide ID or state thier business then the LEO's are called. They can do thier talking to the LEO's

We dont say anything to them. In fact we simply tell them they are trespassing on our property and are to turn around and leave. It's that simple.

If they dont? Heh. Life is interesting and filled with adventure, both good and bad.

 

[B yond]

I wonder how these people would treat a 'census visitor' trespassing on their property...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=448988

 

[mgregg85]

I'm working as an enumerator for the census bureau right now. That guy should have had a badge, we're even instructed to hold the badge up or otherwise draw your attention to it. The GPS thing is a hand held computer that we do everything on nowadays.

A little advice, doing stuff like...

I have found that screaming and clutching at my crotch at random intervals while talking with census workers makes the conversations gratifyingly short.

Will probably get you a quick visit from the police, I know i'd be on my cell phone in about five seconds. We were instructed to just call the cops if we have any problems.

I'm not sure why people are so nuts census workers, we are just trying to do our jobs. I would feel uncomfortable too in the situation the OP described but if someone comes up to your door with a clearly displayed ID badge to just ask you a couple of questions in a friendly manner, why be a jerk to them?

If you think someone is pretending to be a census worker to case your home for a robbery then call the police, brandishing weapons or acting like an idiot is pretty stupid if you ask me. I know I wouldn't want anyone to know that I was carrying a weapon and I definitely wouldn't want them to know where that weapon was on my body.

If you think that guy acted inappropriately(it sounds to me like he did) then call the census bureau regional office and complain. www.census.gov/field/www/

If you want to know if the guy at your door is really a census employee then you can call this number...
1-866-226-2864.

 

[PBinWA]

+1 Zundfolge!!

Total waste of the taxpayers money. Unless your house/property is completely covered in huge trees there is no reason for them to be sending out people.

 

[mljdeckard]

DANG IT. Zondfolge beat me to it.

 

[Prophet]

I'm working as an enumerator for the census bureau right now. That guy should have had a badge, we're even instructed to hold the badge up or otherwise draw your attention to it.

This did not happen in our case. Thus the reason he was told to leave and the police were contacted.

A little advice, doing stuff like...

I have found that screaming and clutching at my crotch at random intervals while talking with census workers makes the conversations gratifyingly short.

Will probably get you a quick visit from the police, I know i'd be on my cell phone in about five seconds. We were instructed to just call the cops if we have any problems.

Though I would not do such a thing as the person you quoted wrote (however much it made me laugh), I'm not sure on what grounds you would be able to call the police on him. As far as I am concerned, when you walk onto a person's private property uninvited you shouldn't be surprised at what reaction you receive. All the more reason to present yourself in a polite, respectful and professional manner while doing your job.

I'm not sure why people are so nuts census workers, we are just trying to do our jobs. I would feel uncomfortable too in the situation the OP described but if someone comes up to your door with a clearly displayed ID badge to just ask you a couple of questions in a friendly manner, why be a jerk to them?

The person in question stated that he was only doing his job as well. I wouldn't have faulted him that, if he weren't doing his job in such an unprofessional and disrespectful manner.

brandishing weapons or acting like an idiot is pretty stupid if you ask me. I know I wouldn't want anyone to know that I was carrying a weapon and I definitely wouldn't want them to know where that weapon was on my body.

I cannot tell whether you meant this in light of the possibility of a robber casing our house rather than a simply everyday occurence, or were simply generalizing and not directing your comment at any particular person. Either way, my mother was not brandishing. Nor did she act like an idiot, though she was angry following the confrontation. She always open carries, though she does usually keep it covered in more populated areas (even though OC is legal in Pennsylvania.) On private property, she OC's simply because it is much easier to present the weapon when it is not covered by a shirt. Again, when you enter private property you are interrupting folks' everyday lives. You should not be surprised at what you discover or the reactions you receive when you intrude unannounced.

If you think that guy acted inappropriately(it sounds to me like he did) then call the census bureau regional office and complain. www.census.gov/field/www/

Thanks for the contact info, we will definitely be calling it in. There is no question as to whether this guy, from the CB or not, acted in a totally rude and inappropriate manner.

Just to go slightly off topic here, but what does everyone think about the Census Bureau calling the home they are about to confirm ahead of the visit? I know that I/we would appreciate such an approach.

EDIT: also a +1 to Zundfolge. I've been playing with Google Earth lately. The details you can make out of our property from above is actually quite scary.

 

[mgregg85]

Just to go slightly off topic here, but what does everyone think about the Census Bureau calling the home they are about to confirm ahead of the visit? I know that I/we would appreciate such an approach.

A good idea but it would be a highly costly addition to an already costly system. Right now, at least in my area, we're just doing the mapping phase and we only stop by to verify the address and let people know that we will be in the area for that purpose. My typical encounter with someone lasts maybe 30 seconds and I make a point to knock and then stand back at least 5 feet or so from the door to appear less threatening. I guess I don't see why some people on this forum make such a big deal about this(not talking about you Prophet, just some of the other people with a more nasty reaction).

I would definitely call the Census Bureau and let them know what happened so maybe this guy will stop causing problems for the rest of us enumerators who just want to do our jobs professionally.

 

[Joe Demko]

I'm curious exactly which law you would cite when you call the cops on me. My house, my property, my crotch.
See, I actually do this. Works with people who want me to buy something, join their religion, take their poll, or vote for their candidate, too.

 

[mgregg85]

Last time I called the cops I didn't have to cite any laws. I'm pretty sure they would come out if I identified myself as a census worker who had someone scream and grab their crotch. To me that sounds like a potential criminal sexual conduct and I bet they'd be worried about the paper boy being harassed in some way.

Regardless, its your right to be a jerk to anyone you care to, but your responses to certain census questions are required under law. If you refuse to talk to me I just call my superior and he deals with it, I believe the procedure they follow is to try and communicate with you themselves and then bring in the police.

 

[ShadyScott999]

I had something very similar happen during the last census. Guy told me I had to talk to him. If I didn't the police would come. I just laughed and went to work.

 

[SCKimberFan]

To me that sounds like a potential criminal sexual conduct and I bet they'd be worried about the paper boy being harassed in some way.

To me it sounds like he may be mentally disturbed. That is not a criminal offense. If you call the police, you had better have a good reason.

 

[LibShooter]

Why not just take a look at the Census guy's ID, and if it's real, cooperate? We all love or favorite parts of the Constitution. The Census is in there, too.

Just sit down on your front porch, offer a lemondade, answer the questions and ten minutes later go on your way. It's painless.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The only question we are constitutionally required to answer is "How many people live at this address?" I will answer questions about the sex and age of residents because I have done family research and like to find this kind of information for my family history. BTW.I have seen satelite pictures of my house too, just google your address.

 

[Joe Demko]

The law may well require me to answer census questions. That's a moot point, though; I don't refuse to answer. The screams are between questions.
So, as you can plainly see, I'm cooperative with the nice government people.

 

[1911swacp]

I can tell you this, I did not answer any questions from the last CB, its none of the gov's business. Yes they threatened me we the law, even went as far as threating my in-laws at the time, that if I did not answer them I was going to jail. I called the US Marshall's on it and they told me there is not way I could go to jail for not answering their questions. And the US Mashall's would be the ones aresting me for it because it would fall under federal law. So don't tell me you have to answer CB questions!

1911swacp

 

[jimmyraythomason]

1911swacp,sounds like you just got away with one. You ARE REQUIRED by the U.S.Constitution to submit a head count of residents in your house. Any further information is elective.

 

[LAK]

It is GPS data, but you also have to consider the OTHER data that the census is trying to collect. Look at who they are partnering with; people like "ACORN".

And while general gps data is freely available, it is the personal data these people are after. Look who was gloating over it from the getgo:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5590541

I won't be scratching anything; simply informing them that they are trespassing, and to leave right away.

Will probably get you a quick visit from the police, I know i'd be on my cell phone in about five seconds. We were instructed to just call the cops if we have any problems.

If they give me any problems, that is exactly what I will be doing.

When they hand you the paper that leads you to believe that you have to answer their invasive questions folks - read the small print at the bottom.