What to do next

You go to a hotel to meet a provider. You get out of your car and head for the room and an undercover comes up to you and asks " Do you have a room rented here ?"
" Here visiting a friend", but you don't know your friends real name.
"I don't answers questions from cops and strangers"
McKayla's Avatar
The two of you must know each other well.
ck1942's Avatar
A very legit question, imho, but lacking a few details, I posit several responses.

Time of day? Type of hotel property?

-- well known national brand, day time. "Excuse me, I have business at the front desk."
-- well known national brand night time. "Excuse me, I have business inside."
-- well known national brand, 2 a.m., "I am running late."

(btw, if it is 2 a.m., I better have an old key card for that property (and yes, I do have a collection of those) and I won't hesitate to flash it.

Assuming, however, that the property is one of the "lesser" brands, you are in the parking lot, not full day time, ask for the questioner's credentials. "Who are you and why are you harassing hotel guests and visitors?"

I am assuming that full day time there won't be any stop.

Unless the jerk is a licensed officer (and I don't mean rent-a-cop) more than likely the hotel has been having some recent issues with "certain travelers."

Now, and I hate to pose this part of the equation, if boxxer (the OP above) is a minority, dressed improperly for the time or place, my assumption is that he may have been singled out for questioning. But who knows.

Just an aside, when I am visiting any hotel property I have in my hand or under my arm either a small briefcase or a portfolio, serving as my "cover" of a business person. Yes, I am white, so race is not an issue, I hope, but I am always aware of my surroundings, always try to be aware of which hotel properties and what areas of a city are best avoided at certain times of day and maybe even altogether.
Happened to me once too. I looked up and asked if I knew him then told him he should go to front desk if he had questions. At that point he flashed a badge. I told him I was at the wrong address and had to leave and walked away. He was asking questions the whole time - who was I there to see? Where was I supposed to be if not here? I just stated that I had broken no laws by being lost and wished to be left to my way. This is bordering on harassment. And he walked away.

Luckily I was traveling and just went back to my 'other' hotel.

It sucks, but happens.
If there's a coffee shop on-site, just say you're going to the cafe.

If not, maybe smile sheepishly and say "I'm just coming in to use the bathroom. "

Even add "I know it's not really for non-guests," or "Is that against the hotel's policy? I could buy a newspaper or coffee to make me a customer"

In any case, I would smile, not rush, pause and chat like a NORMAL INNOCENT passerby would all curious "What's this about?" "What's going on?" "are y'all having some kind of issue inside here?" and be MORE that willing to turn about-face and make other plans. (i.e. find another bathroom/coffee shop).
zip2121's Avatar
Carry a camera in a bag. Just here to see a client about some business.

Am I free to go?
What ever happened to saying "I'm about to check.in!" Lol. That's what I say everywhere
What ever happened to saying "I'm about to check.in!" Lol. That's what I say everywhere Originally Posted by SpiceInTucson
I like it!
Slitlikr's Avatar
US Deputy Marshall Raylan Givens - Move along, son.
Hello! My name is Elder Brown! Have you heard of the Book of Mormon?
People are so scared and ignorant about cops. You don't have to tell an undercover, or any other cop, JACK SHIT!

Just tell him the girls name is private and you have no desire to discuss it with him. It's none of his fucking business, and he knows it.

If they don't have probable cause that you have broken a law then they don't have the right to detain you. If they do have probable cause then you have the right to remain silent , and you better not say one fucking thing except I want to talk to a lawyer.

If you are worried that the girl might be "compromised" by the cops , then you could always just turn around and leave, they have no right to detain you.

Cops depend on people incriminating themselves, it's the dirty little secret cops don't want you to know.
I think the safest answer and not at all aggressive to anyone is to simply say, I'd like to use the restroom. If you start in like some lawyer, you just give cops or hotel mgmt. a reason to pursue the issue further.

In the long ago past, I used to cruise around when SWers and car dates were common in NY. I carried the local real estate section with a map and apartment houses circled and simply told the cop I was looking for a RE investment and checking out the area. Never had an issue and even had cops tell me where the crime was and one even said he had some extra money he wanted to invest and gave me his name and number. lolol