how to deal with loitering??

So....................................you have a hot dog cart business going, and there seems to be a couple of guys who consistently "hang around" for a long time, maybe an hour or so..........................maybe they buy a hot dog or two................How do you guys deal with sending the loiterers on their way??? Do you like them staying? please give me some tips! Thanks!

If I understand our loitering laws here, the old concept of simply hanging around with no apparent purpose on public access isn't good enough to qualify as loitering or actionable by law enforcent any longer. Assuming that you are not on private property and on public access, the offenders if I correctly understand the law have to be somehow interfering or blocking public public movement, engaging in some sort of criminal activity,disturbing the peace,intimidating your customers, etc. If you were going to try and justify that these individuals were hindering access or their mere appearance such as juvenile delinquents or scruffy homeless persons that were causing people to avoid your operation, you and any sympathetic law enforcent officer are stepping into a potential constitutional malestorm regarding profiling. Why are they hanging around in the first place? Do you encourage it ? Are you or your customers giving/buying them free food ? Is the area naturally predisposed to public resting as near a shaded area/mini-park/pedestrian rest stop/bus stop ? Can you justify that these people are lingering to your detriment or public access meanwhile your customers do the same as they stop and eat your product ?

Did you just make this question up so you could post? If you can’t figure out how to run someone off that is at your location, and interfering with your business operation just hand them the tongs and go home.
 
Dawn with all due respect your way off base. That PC stuff is only good in the media; it rarely works in real life. I refuse to serve people all the time, and in fact run off undesirables several times a week. I’m across from a dump old hotel, that is full of section 8 people and I don’t want them around my business.
A year ago one of them stole an 8 inch pepper plant out of a tub near my trailer. It wasn’t twenty minutes after I got to work that another dirt bag came over and told me which room the guy lived in.
I went across the street knocked on his door and could both see him and his girlfriend in there but they wouldn’t answer the door. So I kicked it in and drug them both outside and made the guy go back in and get my plant. Then I called the police and they came and arrested the guy. He started crying and said  “He kicked in my door” the cop said it’s too bad he didn’t kick your ass before he called us.
You mess with my property, staff, or business; I'll kick your ass

Jack

Dr of BBQ



You mess with my property, staff, or business; I'll kick your ass

Jack

Yeah.....That's the ticket....Old school style.

Smith & Wesson.

Dr of BBQ


 
You mess with my property, staff, or business; I'll kick your ass

Jack

I agree 100% but would only add "family" to the list of do not screw with!

Dr of BBQ


Did you just make this question up so you could post? If you can’t figure out how to run someone off that is at your location, and interfering with your business operation just hand them the tongs and go home.

Dawn with all due respect your way off base. That PC stuff is only good in the media; it rarely works in real life. I refuse to serve people all the time, and in fact run off undesirables several times a week. I’m across from a dump old hotel, that is full of section 8 people and I don’t want them around my business.
A year ago one of them stole an 8 inch pepper plant out of a tub near my trailer. It wasn’t twenty minutes after I got to work that another dirt bag came over and told me which room the guy lived in.
I went across the street knocked on his door and could both see him and his girlfriend in there but they wouldn’t answer the door. So I kicked it in and drug them both outside and made the guy go back in and get my plant. Then I called the police and they came and arrested the guy. He started crying and said  “He kicked in my door” the cop said it’s too bad he didn’t kick your ass before he called us.
You mess with my property, staff, or business; I'll kick your ass

Jack

Wow!  Are you for hire?  Great story. 

Our town was slowly becoming home to the mentally insane and I had them all trespassed from our property.  I did it because they would accost my wife's floral customers and I thought they might do the same when I bring out my cart.  One of them was a HUGE problem and I finally called the state and forced them to take him to a home.  He would sit on our sidewalk (we own the sidewalk) and grab people's arms and demand money.  He would spit on them if they didn't give him anything and do it all from his little handi-scooter.  He would also throw his wooden leg in the road and scream at people for running it over and demand money.  He would also drive his scooter into people's cars and then call the cops on them.  Our local cops wouldn't do anything because they didn't have a facility to hold him....they do now.  The state found out about that and took care of it immediately.

Not sure what to do in your case AlDente... I would talk to them first.  Explain that you are trying to run a business and you can't have people just hanging out while you are trying to earn a living.  If they give you problems, then call the cops.  Not sure about your state but some states will allow you to trespass them from public property if you have a permit to operate your business there.

I am really just talking about "regular" type people who have way too much time on their hands........you know, the people who feel like they can just hang out and shoot the _ _ _ _. they feel a sense of connection with you or the hot dog cart and just stay for way too long...........sort of like a family member who does'nt get the hint and overstays their welcome..................how do you handle them? how do you "send them on their way"?. i mean, i don't mind talking for 5-10 minutes or so, but, jeez buddy, enough is enough. They are fairly regular loyal customers...............but "you can go now" kinds of people

..put 'em to work...

AlDente


So....................................you have a hot dog cart business going, and there seems to be a couple of guys who consistently "hang around" for a long time, maybe an hour or so..........................maybe they buy a hot dog or two................How do you guys deal with sending the loiterers on their way??? Do you like them staying? please give me some tips! Thanks!

Please clarify what you are saying. Are these guys hanging around to speak with you or are they hanging around to talk to each other? Are these guys the low life type or are they just guys that talk a lot and are just doing that? Worse case they care casing you for a future robbery, not likely if they are open and talk to you as well as each other. Peaople who try to case someone does not want to make eye contact or do much talking. Get description of them down on paper, etc and let others know what you think and what they look like, car, tag, etc.

Best case, they are just some guys who like to be around a happening joint. Around here kids hang out in the Arby's and McDonalds after school, etc. The management lets them stay as long as they do not disturb the other guest AND they are buying something. People today (kids, and slightly older) do not have anything to do so they just want to socialize. Think good about how you handle it because it may truly be harmless. If they are just talking then it should be no problem asking them to not hang around to long after purchase so customers won't feel intimidated buy a crowd just hanging around.


 

We have a few of those guys at different shows we go to. I give them a couple of minutes and start acting busy. They'll hopefully get the hint and go on their merry way.
On the other hand, sometimes a little crowd around your cart will bring in some new customers. If you start to get busy, be nice and  ask them to move off to the side. Sounds to me  they like your product  and yourself. If they keep buying dogs from you they will in turn tell their friends about you.

Jeffro

NYPIzzaNut


..put 'em to work...

Heck yeah give them a sign to move in the air ... Great I like it...

just ask them to leave!!!

I think there are pros and cons to every situation. I know what the OP is saying but try to change this into a positive thing. Believe it or not, they are doing more good rather than bad by hanging around.

The old adage, " A crowd creates a crowd", is so true. If potential customers see a 'crowd' at a hot dog cart (OR any business for that matter), they subcounsciously think that the food must be very good there. Personally, I look for the number of trucks at a restaurant on the highway when I am traveling. If there are lots of trucks parked, I stop there as I 'just know' the food is good.

How would I deal with the customers that want to chat? I would give them the time of day to say their peice and politely excuse myself by saying, "Well, I better get back to work as I have many things to do. Have a great day!"

Kick in someone’s door over a plant? Lol I am sorry but, that action could have turned ugly… Section 8 or not, playing "Cow Boy" could have got you shot. * You are running into someone’s hotel room in the hood*
I understand how one could be upset, because someone has taken from you or an employee. No matter what situation out in the field as people of business we have to keep it professional. Call the police if your plant is that important. While you’re where playing Rambo how many sales did you loose? Now if some brave soul took your cash register, then by all means prepare for battle. People standing around does not bother me, but sharp words can be just as effective then out right being rude. All people that are on section 8 are not bad people. They are potential customers as well just as any other person.

My first thought in reading this initial post, was why would you want to rid your area of paying customers? If these guys are not in the way, and buying your food,they do create the impression that you are a busy hot dog cart.If you dont appreciate them, than ignore them..Say goodbye, Thank you for your your business.....

RoyalDogs


Kick in someone’s door over a plant? Lol I am sorry but, that action could have turned ugly… Section 8 or not, playing "Cow Boy" could have got you shot. * You are running into someone’s hotel room in the hood*
I understand how one could be upset, because someone has taken from you or an employee. No matter what situation out in the field as people of business we have to keep it professional. Call the police if your plant is that important. While you’re where playing Rambo how many sales did you loose? Now if some brave soul took your cash register, then by all means prepare for battle. People standing around does not bother me, but sharp words can be just as effective then out right being rude. All people that are on section 8 are not bad people. They are potential customers as well just as any other person.

Sorry Royal Dogs nice try, stealing is stealing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a $1.95 plant or a $1595.00 cash register and starting change. You go ahead and let people walk over you on the small things; I’ll stop it before it gets to the cash register.
Before this incident these dirt bags stole everything we left out, from short extension cords, a 300 foot power cord for the trailer, and even an old worn out light fixture under the stand. Since I made my walk over to the hotel we have had no further thefts.
And don’t try to put that PC stuff on me about not all section 8 people, I don’t play that game.
Jack

Sound like you need a new location old timer, your giving us business owners a bad name.

Hehe, Oh, here we go!!!