neighbor’s and my apartments marked with flowers?

Submitted by TransparentSky t3_127b8kf in springfieldMO

so I’m not 100% sure where else to ask this and I’m sure I’m using the wrong flair but I’m hoping maybe someone here has some advice

my friend (who’s also my neighbor) and I live in studio apartments in a really shitty spot close to msu campus/downtown. lots of shady stuff around every corner, our front doors are basically only accessible through an alley that leads to our parking lot

earlier (3/30/23 around 1:30pm) I came out of my apartment and found an easter lily (we have some growing around the complex) sitting on my doorknob. I didn’t think much of it at first and brought it inside but did have the thought that it could be someone marking my door to return to or something? I have anxiety so I was actively trying not to think the worst so I let it go

my friend texts me later (more like 8:30pm) and says they just noticed an easter lily on their table INSIDE their apartment. they had come home from work around 6pm and hadn’t left so it was placed there before then. checked with me, their mom, their boyfriend, and a couple friends and everybody says no idea, nobody was around. they did let me know their door was unlocked while they were at work and they do frequently leave it unlocked but mine is always locked whether I’m home or not

I want to assume the best in everyone but another one of our neighbors is sort of a creep (incident he caused with another neighbor we learned about before she moved) and there’s a huge group of homeless folks who frequently stay around the apartments, and we’re scared the intention is unfriendly

may be important to mention we are both queer, but neither of us have anything lgbt specific visible from outside, and I don’t want to assume it has anything to do with that

anyone seen anything like this before?

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Born2fayl t1_jedkczl wrote

So someone put a lily on your doorknob and your friend found a similar lily placed inside their home? I mean, if it were me, no matter how much I trusted the friend, I’d at least partly suspect they were playing some game. People are strange and it’s basically impossible to fully know someone. Maybe it’s for attention, drama, a joke? Not just the friend, but basically anyone who knows you both and has access to her place would be considered.

I’m not saying that is what it is, but what I would, with near certainty, say is that no one that is a stranger to the two of you broke into her place and placed a lily while also placing a lily on your doorknob. NEAR certainty. Take normal precautions though. And don’t be too polite to call for help, fight back, or make a scene if you feel like you’re in immediate danger.

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Illustrious_Buy5289 t1_jeds5dl wrote

>says they just noticed an easter lily on their table INSIDE their apartment.

that reminds me, there's jackshit for laws to protect tenants here, maybe your maintenance guy is leaving them lol

time to install cameras! mine tries to occasionally creep into my place with excuses like "whoops, thought this was apartment 421! sorry!" like yeah, ok, you didn't even knock you fucking lying piece of shit just barge right in why don't you.

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TransparentSky OP t1_jeed5b5 wrote

as far as I know they’ve only been in when I’m out once, they did move a couple things around (but they did actually fix a request I had sent in, that wasn’t an unplanned visit)

sounds like I’m making a visit to amazon dot com for a spy camera!

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Illustrious_Buy5289 t1_jeedliw wrote

oh for sure! that reminds me i need to check the expiration date on my mace too lol

g'luck!

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Reasonable_Garage318 t1_jeetawg wrote

Yeah idk, but maybe tell your friend to start locking their door more frequently

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TransparentSky OP t1_jeetli7 wrote

100%. it’s a conversation we’ve had before and I hate they had to have a scare to start listening

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Both_Anything1199 t1_jefd0d8 wrote

Your friend needs to make sure all their other windows are locked and there is not other ways for someone to get in. If someone did come in they might have left a way to access in the future.

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emtrigg013 t1_jeg9b4s wrote

It's either a scare or they're gonna end up on one of them crime shows we love so much.

You can trust where you live and people around you, AND keep your doors locked. Why risk it?

As for the lily, it could have absolutely been a maintenance person, but I agree with the other poster that it could also be a sick prank.

Keep your doors locked and stand up for yourself when you feel uncomfortable.

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Both_Anything1199 t1_jefbrbv wrote

Listen Springfield is a dangerous place with SA happening around MSU all the time. You need to be leaving the door locked at all times. I would install a ring camera at your door as well. Monthly pmt is only like 3.99. Make sure you have pepper spray, and some kind of self defense weapon that can puncture something if needed. I’m not trying to scare you but it could be a “prank” but it could also be exactly what you’re thinking. Protect yourself, always on the phone when you leave or at least pretending.

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Great-Bratton t1_jedrzg5 wrote

Just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings, definitely keep your door locked (even when you’re home like you said), and if you don’t have any invest in some good pepper spray!

Also, just to be safe, I wouldn’t touch that flower again with your bare hands. Not that someone is after you, but sickos exist and you can’t be too careful. Just throw it away and stay safe out there!

PS Amazon has great options for pepper spray. I recommend RedSaber brand. I also live close to that area and the number of shady folks has definitely been on the rise. I always keep my eyes open and spray on me.

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TransparentSky OP t1_jeeblte wrote

the flower is definitely gone, I tossed it out in the grass once we realized there was something going on

noted about the pepper spray, I have an emergency one in my car so it might be time that comes inside for a while

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Great-Bratton t1_jeehyoy wrote

My partner even has a spray from that brand that looks like a lipstick. Super concealable, but just as potent! 🤓 I’m glad you tossed the flower and hope you don’t have any more issues!

Edit I (a bigger fella) carry the lipstick one when I walk my dog because it is so easy and convenient, not because it’s lipstick.

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DirtyOldSamurai t1_jee9dkg wrote

Did your property management change filters maybe and they were just feeling silly? End of the month means filter changes for the residents at my job. Still weird tho.

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TransparentSky OP t1_jeebr6w wrote

honestly we live in a shithole so management doing their jobs does not seem likely but if a name doesn’t start sticking out as who might have done it we may ask

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ExactPea9707 t1_jef66vg wrote

As someone who has been pepper sprayed (my ex girlfriend almost killed us by setting hers off on the highway in a closed vehicle) - it’s not that bad.

You’re definitely not going to detour someone on a mission with anything less than bear mace haha

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Television_Wise t1_jegd1v4 wrote

Could be a religious group that left them. This weekend is Palm Sunday and next weekend is Easter.

That said, if someone got in your friend's apartment and only left a flower, I'd rule out the homeless because they'd probably cause more changes while staying (e.g might eat food, take valuables, use the shower, leave trash), and if they're smart enough to avoid showing any changes they wouldn't leave a flower behind inside and risk tipping yall off and losing a good spot.

I would think if it was anti-LGBT motivated there'd be vandalism or damage, and they wouldn't leave behind a symbol of peace/rebirth.

So, probably a creep. Or a prank.

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powerfulspacewizard t1_jeg8m1b wrote

April fools day is tomorrow. Your friend is playing a prank on you.

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Hungry-Ad-3404 t1_jegsdva wrote

Missouri is a constitutional carry state. Buy a small .22 and keep it on you🤷‍♂️ tell your friend, as stated above, to lock their doors and check their windows.

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Both_Anything1199 t1_jefcgb1 wrote

People use signs as simple as flipping a corner of your doormat over for s*x trafficking. Nothing is impossible, and Springfield is one of the most dangerous cities in the US. Like I said I’m not trying to scare you I’m just stating the facts of where we live unfortunately.

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