Census people been by your place yet?

[Doug M.]

Don't get mail at my street address, have a locked fence and a unwelcoming demeanor, no listed phone for the house. No way to get to the door (and doorbell) without climbing the fence (6'). There are a few big dog turds left from the winter.

All anyone who comes here without an invitation will get is a negative interaction opportunity and arrested for trespassing, with the possible bonus of an east coast approach to free speech.

 

[Wayne02]

Read some reports on another forum about census workers ignoring no trespassing, beware of dog signs and entering the property anyway. That is unacceptable.

There also seems to be conflicting reports on how these workers have been trained. Some say they were encouraged to bypass no trespassing signs but not to put themselves in danger doing so (big dog). Other reports claim that census HQ is saying that their workers are not supposed to be on posted property.

 

[Doug M.]

Under Washington law, they will not have a defense to the trespass arrest, and they will also lose any claim for damages as a result of a dog bite by that behavior. I'd cheerfully arrest someone who ignored the trespass notice/fence; I'd prosecute them with no qualms at all, and if they get bitten, that's just TS. They have no remedy in the courts.

 

[H Richard]

The guy with the GIS was just out front Tues. I went out and challenged who he was and what he was doing. Yep, Census in a big sign on his shoulder bag.

 

[m657]

Yesterday coming home a car was blocking my driveway, leaving me out on the country road. She wouldn't pull in or out for several minutes, exposing me to a hazards of traffic.

Finally pulls forward, gets out VERY slowly and has the little hand-gizmo. Asks if 'this address is this address'....and about a trailer house down the road that was moved about 4 years ago. Gave me a free bilingual paper telling me it was a bilingual paper.

Said the count isn't till next year. Probably take her that long to find the way back to her office.

 

[gunsmith11]

do they go too every house, I do remember filling out a form that I got in the mail once, but that was ten years ago

 

[MrTenX]

A young lady came by the house a few weeks ago while I was working in the front yard and asked if their were any rental units in the back.
I replied no, then she stood on the porch and I suppose took the GPS coordinates with some sort of hand held device.
Nonetheless, I'm already on their "uncooperative list" as the only info I'm willing to provide is the number of people residing in my house.

 

[guntownuncle]

Originally posted by gunsmith11:
do they go too every house, I do remember filling out a form that I got in the mail once, but that was ten years ago

In February and March of 2010 they will mail out the forms to every household. Starting in April they will start visiting the residences that did not return the forms. I think they try several times to find someone home. Most of the people involved are not permanent Census Bureau employees. Many of the people you have already seen are normally students, retired folks,housewives, etc.