The Census Bureau is Harassing Me - American Police Beat Forums powered by OfficerResource

**Xiphos** · #1 05-10-10, 06:02 PM

So we get the census form in the mail. I object to filling out all the demographic crap on there. It's none of the fucking government's business. I put down how many people live here and send it in.

This past week someone comes to the door. My wife uses the intercom and answers. She tells them we sent the form in. "We have no record of it," she says. She tells her how many people live here and hangs up on her.

Tonight they call on the phone. My number is unlisted so they are using some kind of government voodoo to dig up records that aren't public.

I tell her on the phone we sent the form in. "We have no record of it." I reply, "Well I sent it in," and hung up on her.

What's next, soldiers with guns?

Really, it's not my problem you lose your paperwork. I know it's bullshit, they want all our ages and race etc. Fuck them.

We sent the form in with the number who live here and we told them again through the intercom when she was at the door.

Assholes.

**pac201** · #2 05-10-10, 06:19 PM

came by my work looking for addresses one of which was mine; she started in with what's your name, birthday etc. I promptly told her that the information she was asking for was NOT required and that I wasn't going to give it to her. She then told me that she didn't have to get it, but they "taught" her to ask for it...

**MacLean** · #3 05-10-10, 07:28 PM

I wrote "4" in the right box and sent it in.

I'm sort of waiting for them to be able to find my house.

**MacLean** · #4 05-10-10, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xiphos

Tonight they call on the phone. My number is unlisted so they are using some kind of government voodoo to dig up records that aren't public.

Tax returns, credit reporting, E911 data.

There are a crapload of ways to find phone numbers.

**Five-0** · #5 05-10-10, 07:47 PM

Never got a census form.

TXCharlie · #6 05-10-10, 08:53 PM

I just filled in how many people live here and our ages. So far they haven't got around to me.

Most of the census workers are just part-time temps, so all they know is what they're told to do.

I know a lady who did it last time - She said they even gave her a GPS device and made her write down the GPS coordinates of everyone's front door to prove she was at the house, because the supervisors didn't trust any of them and treated them like children.

She was taught a bare minimum or nothing about the law - All they told her was what to say and do under different circumstances. She had to just report the refusals to her supervisor, and then the supervisor did the arm-twisting, so if you get someone who's annoyingly persistant, they may very well be a supervisor.

**cinman1802000** · #7 05-19-10, 08:20 AM

Had one actually show up at the PD yesterday...ststed she had been to my house several times, with no answer. Left a slip w/a phone number to call between 9a-9p. Against my better judgement, I did call...NO FREAKING ANSWER! I then called the regional office number listed & was told to simply keep trying, as the census taker was only doing as she had been instructed.

Interesting note: Years ago, my Dad completed a census form & listed the name of his cat on the form. "Teddy" started getting credit card offers & sweepstakes notices a short time later.

213th · #8 05-19-10, 08:46 AM

I put human for the race section on mine.

**Five-0** · #9 05-19-10, 09:28 AM

Had a worker come by house this last week. Older guy easily in his 70s. I offered to let him come inside as it was hot and literally thought he was going to fall out. He said he couldn't come in so I brought him a chair. I told him how many people lived in the home and he asked their race and I told him American. He stated that wasn't an option, so I told him Eskimo. "You're not really an Eskimo are you?" "The hell you say" I replied. Guy just starts laughing and marks the box. He tells me that he has to ask the questions and I just wink and smile. I told him we won the house in a Nigerian lottery when asked if we owned it out right. He was a nice guy and knew I was having fun. We actually talked for a bit and he was telling the that the supervisors in charge of his office were the most egomaniac morons he has ever been associated with. He thanked me for coming to the door, being nice, and giving him a laugh. He figured out I was in law enforcement and we talked about all the 911 hangup calls we have gotten from his office. The supervisors always get bent out of shape when we come into the back offices because no one is up front when you come in. These supervisors go nuts about us being in a "restricted area". His reply, "So you've met the know it all important people I told you about." He said a supervisor may come by afterwards and double check his work. I asked if he would like me to record that interaction and promised him it would be worth the trouble.

They are not all bad. Now if a "supervisor" comes by that will be a youtube video sensation when I'm done.

**10-42Adam** · #10 05-20-10, 12:32 PM

Funny as hell you posted this...I was just WOKEN UP by a census bureau lady knocking on my front door to ask me questions. I wasn't much help...

**pgg** · #11 05-20-10, 01:05 PM

I just put in the number and sent it in. I didn't fill anything else out

**MacLean** · #12 05-20-10, 03:08 PM

They got my neighbor, but have not left me a note or come by yet.

**CT209** · #13 05-21-10, 05:23 AM

They haven't come to my house yet. I didn't send back the form because I received two of them in the mail and I'm confused as to which one I need to fill out.

Of course maybe they think I'm affiliated with MOVE-ON or ACORN and they want me to answer twice.

**Odd** · #14 05-21-10, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgg

I just put in the number and sent it in. I didn't fill anything else out

Same here. I've anticipated the 20 seconds of interaction and planned out all my responses to be accurate and polite. So far nothing stuck to the door other than an UPS slip, and their new route schedule isn't making me any more jolly than usual.

**ex401mp** · #15 05-21-10, 08:55 AM

On the race part, I wote in warrior god. I figure they will be knocking on my door before too long.

**CT209** · #16 05-21-10, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex401mp

On the race part, I wote in warrior god. I figure they will be knocking on my door before too long.

That rocks! You get the reputation point for that one!

Back when, I was in the Marines and got tasked with stamping out dogtags for the company. I was bored.

I think I still have few pair floating around where I stamped "Druid", "Godless" and "Barbarian" on the religion line. I never thought to continue that type of joke with a Census reply.

**MacLean** · #17 05-21-10, 12:19 PM

That is awesome 501, reps.

**Xiphos** · #18 05-21-10, 12:48 PM

Reminds me of this: May the force be with you POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG

Cops in London reported "Jedi Knight" as their religion and the city had to provide services and accommodations etc. Urban legend, I don't know if it's true but funny as hell!

**lewisipso** · #19 05-21-10, 01:04 PM

I haven't been harassed yet and did pretty much what everyone else did. Numbers only.

**gopherpuckfan** · #20 05-21-10, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 213th

I put human for the race section on mine.

I put European American