WTF?!? Woman Found Living in Family Fare Sign in Midland (MI)

[Signwatcher]

https://www.ourmidland.com/news/police_and_courts/article/woman-makes-grocery-store-sign-home-trespassed-19446632.php

Woman found living inside Family Fare sign in Midland

'I’ve never seen anything like this,' says police spokesman

By Tereasa Nims,
Staff Writer
Updated May 9, 2024 11:27 a.m.

When contractors were working on the Family Fare grocery store in Midland, they unexpectedly found a woman, 34, living inside the rooftop sign.

"I’ve never seen anything like this before in my career,” said Midland Police Department Public Relations Officer Brennon Warren of the April 23 finding at 2026 N. Saginaw Road.

The woman, who police nicknamed the "Rooftop Ninja," lived inside the store sign for about a year, Warren said. Inside her dwelling, she had a mini desk, flooring, a pantry of food and even a houseplant.

"She made it home,” Warren said.

Contractors discovered an extension cord on the roof and traced it to the dwelling inside the Family Fare sign.

“They were like ‘OMG, someone is living in that sign,’” Warren said.

When police became aware of the situation, officers told her she needed to find somewhere else to live. She was trespassed from the business. No criminal charges were filed against her. Officers offered the woman housing assistance and other resources. She declined their help. Police also believe she has a vehicle.

The woman has a job, though she is not a Family Fare employee, Warren said. In addition, police said the store agreed to work with the woman to get her furniture down and back to her.

Family Fare management politely offered “no comment” when asked about their former rooftop tenant.

Tereasa Nims covers crime and courts for the Daily News. Email her at Tereasa.Nims@hearstnp.com.

May 8, 2024|Updated May 9, 2024 11:27 a.m.

 

[Cardinal]

Ha! (she thought to herself) they will never find me here!

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Midland is bonkers in general. I was IN Midland once. Had to dodge a couch someone left in the street. A house was wrapped entirely in Saran Wrap. Children were shooting off fireworks within 50 feet of a gas station.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

As for the post, this was an episode of Malcolm in the Middle.

Man lives in Lucky-Aide, 3:09

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIevqMfoDPY

 

[lisa]

Pretty ingenious really...relatively safe location ..with electricity no less.

 

[Creedmoor]

The houseplant was a nice touch.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Midland is bonkers in general. I was IN Midland once. Had to dodge a couch someone left in the street. A house was wrapped entirely in Saran Wrap. Children were shooting off fireworks within 50 feet of a gas station.

Where is Midland, I looked in the OP and didn't see which state!

 

[Meemur]

Packy: Midland is the red square below. Dow Chemical is there.

 

[Walkin' Away]

Packy,
Midland is in Michigan. Family Fare is our scaled down version of Meijer.

W. A.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Packy: Midland is the red square below. Dow Chemical is there.

View attachment 473982

Packy,
Midland is in Michigan. Family Fare is our scaled down version of Meijer.

W. A.

Thanks I see that MI has been added to the thread title now. One has to wonder how cold she got during the winter months.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Packy,
Midland is in Michigan. Family Fare is our scaled down version of Meijer.

W. A.

Which is baffling because we already have a full version of Meijer, which is Meijer. It got its start in Holland, last I knew.

 

[Milkweed Host]

Reminds me of a runaway report in Minnesota, back in the 1990's.
The boy had been living inside a grocery store in between shelves.
He had a blanket, food, water and restroom. He came out at night after closing
to roam around and shop.

 

[Meemur]

Which is baffling because we already have a full version of Meijer, which is Meijer. It got its start in Holland, last I knew.

Meijer - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meijer was founded as Meijer's in Greenville, Michigan, in 1934 by Hendrik Meijer, a Dutch immigrant. Meijer was a local barber who entered the grocery business during the Great Depression. His first employees included his 14-year-old son, Frederik Meijer, who later became chairman of the company.

--------------------------------------------

I'm related to Hendrik on my mother's side, although not closely. He's something like a fourth cousin once removed.

(I so miss shopping at Meijer! We need them in Iowa!)

 

[Melodi]

I think this is sad, not funny. I agree it was also clever. We will see a lot more of this sort of thing when good people, even working people, can't get anywhere to live. Costs were already so high in some areas that we had cases when I worked for the US Federal Government of employees in Los Angeles, including a single mother and her small child living in a car. They couldn't afford the first and last months' rent, and a full deposit was required everywhere.

It seems to be a million times worse now and much more widespread. When I lived in the Bay Area, many of us lived in group houses, and I include professional people (not just students), married couples who would buy houses (when they could afford them) with extra bedrooms to rent to friends (and help pay the mortgage). It was common for friends (I had several) who were laid off, on low-wage gig work, or genuinely disabled (and on those meager benefits) to be illegally renting and living in garages (of friends usually) or attics. Some of these had been converted for soldiers in WWII, but many were simply garages with an electrical hook-up and an emergency camping toilet.

Other people who lived in those extra bedrooms were laid off or disabled in exchange for housework, child care, and other unofficial jobs.

That was in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, I suspect those places have run out as more people can't afford a home, and I suspect the competition for homes by "groups" of renters (like my household was - pretty stable, but young professionals with real jobs) is fierce.

A few years ago, there was that horrific fire in Oakland with all those people living in a warehouse, but I was not surprised at all. That trend had started across the Bay in San Francisco even before I left. Hey, given a choice between living alone in a car and risking living in a warehouse, I'd take the warehouse, especially if I knew most people there already.

I don't blame this woman and wonder where she will go. The fact that she declined help is interesting, but most people don't want to go to urban shelters. Women are especially at risk in many of them, and their stuff would likely be stolen. And they wonder why people try to live in storage lockers.

 

[Meemur]

Trust me: a woman wouldn't want to be in a shelter in Midland, Michigan. The men there are frequently alcoholic vets who have fallen through the cracks, and they have major chips on their shoulders. These were frequently men who lived "in the woods," coming into town only for their checks and to buy beer but lost their "shacks" due to fire, squatting on state land and getting tossed off, or ill health.

I had a relative living that lifestyle at one point. Ugh!

That woman, probably former military, managed to make herself a nice little spot. I wish her the best of luck.

 

[Griz3752]

The houseplant was a nice touch.

My question would be was it a succulent/aloe or a smoke-able?

 

[Cardinal]

I suspect the competition for homes by "groups" of renters (like my household was - pretty stable, but young professionals with real jobs) is fierce.

I see lots of interesting stuff while I deliver.
One rather upscale development comes to mind, which consisted of some pricey large homes in a nice neighborhood. One of those had a group of hispanics living there. A large group.

 

[Meemur]

I see lots of interesting stuff while I deliver.
One rather upscale development comes to mind, which consisted of some pricey large homes in a nice neighborhood. One of those had a group of hispanics living there. A large group.

I used to see that around Columbus, OH. One home had about 25 Mexican men living there. They worked different shifts and were only all home at once on holidays like Christmas. Totally illegal! But I think the landlord paid off the city, so any complaints were ignored.

They weren't loud. They just parked their cars all over the place.

I'll bet their rent was something like $45/ person, LOL!

 

[Cardinal]

I used to see that around Columbus, OH. One home had about 25 Mexican men living there. They worked different shifts and were only all home at once on holidays like Christmas. Totally illegal! But I think the landlord paid off the city, so any complaints were ignored.

They weren't loud. They just parked their cars all over the place.

Yup, that was this place.

 

[packyderms_wife]

I think this is sad, not funny. I agree it was also clever. We will see a lot more of this sort of thing when good people, even working people, can't get anywhere to live. Costs were already so high in some areas that we had cases when I worked for the US Federal Government of employees in Los Angeles, including a single mother and her small child living in a car. They couldn't afford the first and last months' rent, and a full deposit was required everywhere.

My cousin posted this on her FB page this morning and many are agreeing with her. She works two full time jobs to keep a roof over her head. She lives in Vancouver, BC and the cost of living is very high there, even in the "slum" area where she lives. Apparently most of the rental housing is owned by a handful of corporations.

 

[Cardinal]

Yup. And Blackrock is fast become Nation's landlord here, too.

 

[packyderms_wife]

Yup. And Blackrock is fast become Nation's landlord here, too.

Yeah, we, and our neighbors, get at least one letter a year from them wanting to buy our properties to turn into rental units.

 

[Meemur]

Yes, and Blackrock (etc) own a lot of the nursing homes, too.

Makes me shudder.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

Meijer - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Meijer was founded as Meijer's in Greenville, Michigan, in 1934 by Hendrik Meijer, a Dutch immigrant. Meijer was a local barber who entered the grocery business during the Great Depression. His first employees included his 14-year-old son, Frederik Meijer, who later became chairman of the company.

--------------------------------------------

I'm related to Hendrik on my mother's side, although not closely. He's something like a 4th cousin removed.

(I so miss shopping at Meijer! We need them in Iowa!)

Ah yes, thank you for that.

I do love Meijer; been a regular shopper there for years now and can't imagine going elsewhere.

Love their online ordering system, too; make your list, pay by credit / debit card, order is brought to your car when you call them within a roughly one-hour band of time. Plus you get rewards points for cheaper items later. Meijer is a little pricier than Walmart, but a lot of that, you get what you pay for.

 

[Meemur]

My cousin posted this on her FB page this morning and many are agreeing with her. She works two full time jobs to keep a roof over her head. She lives in Vancouver, BC and the cost of living is very high there, even in the "slum" area where she lives. Apparently most of the rental housing is owned by a handful of corporations.

View attachment 473989

I complain about the winters in Iowa, but if one doesn't live in a posh retirement complex in the middle of downtown Des Moines, there are still some affordable homes, and our grocery costs, while high, are certainly more affordable than NYC.

 

[Elza]

Apparently most of the rental housing is owned by a handful of corporations.

Coming to the FUSA. Rapidly.

 

[Elza]

Thanks I see that MI has been added to the thread title now. One has to wonder how cold she got during the winter months.

Probably had an electric space heater.

 

[Melodi]

There are two main types of group houses:

1. The Flop House is when you get 30 people (often both legal immigrants and migrants) sleeping in shifts with bunk beds sharing a house. We've had that problem exposed in Ireland, too. They are highly illegal and dangerous, but better than a tent on a street corner.

2. The Group House—There are many variants of this, but the common type I lived in was a group of friends who knew each other and either rented or bought a home (Called Tenancies in Common in some States). Each person has a bedroom and shared spaces like kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. Some are owned by a married couple who rent out their other bedrooms. Chores and organization vary from very strict rules to pretty laid back, but most have a group dinner at least once a month (or once a week) to sort things out.

Some group houses are less families and more old-fashioned (technically illegal) boarding housing, and you can (or could last I looked) see adverts for both rooms for rent and people looking for rooms in places like Organic Food Markets and the like.

When I think about it, I knew almost no one in the Bay Area who owned a home and lived with just a spouse and no one else. The exception was a widowed co-worker and probably one or two families with kids. They even tended to have at least one other adult living with them.

 

[WalknTrot]

Yeah...and she was offered housing assistance and other resources, but refused it.
The usual flim-flam BS.

Done with her.

 

[Cardinal]

Yeah...and she was offered housing assistance and other resources, but refused it.
The usual flim-flam.

Done with her.

Ever lived in one of those "housing assistance " places? You would have a great deal more understanding if you had.

 

[WalknTrot]

Ever lived in one of those "housing assistance " places? You would have a great deal more understanding if you had.

No, but I've paid for a lot of them.

 

[packyderms_wife]

No, but I've paid for a lot of them.

And you're not getting a good return on your investment! Most of these places are no more than roach motels.

 

[Meemur]

I get it.

I lived in my car for awhile during the recession in Michigan. There weren't women's shelters, per se. What was available was horrible. I was tons safer in a tent in the off-campus student ghetto.

I also understand avoiding social services in Michigan. Some of the most extreme asshats I've ever met work there.
I doubt that it has changed. That's where they put the functional alcoholics, people on the spectrum, and low-IQ government relatives. Talk about bottom of the barrel . . .

 

[WalknTrot]

I'm with Kennedy on this.

Work farm/rehab facilities until proven competent to be self-sufficient.

 

[Meemur]

I agree that she was trespassing and engaging in theft of services. On the other hand, she was taking care of herself. It takes some survival skills to live outside in Michigan weather.

Also, she could've gotten a ride over to Mt. Pleasant where there are a lot more homeless resources (it's a college town, home to Central Michigan University). I suspect she had a job and other reasons to stay in Midland. Also, as long as she avoided several areas in the south of town, it's a somewhat safe area, even at 2 am.

I agree that it's not a long-term answer, but it was working out for her. Other than the theft of services, she really wasn't bothering anyone.

 

[Blacknarwhal]

I agree that she was trespassing and engaging in theft of services. On the other hand, she was taking care of herself. It takes some survival skills to live outside in Michigan weather.

Also, she could've gotten a ride over to Mt. Pleasant where there are a lot more homeless resources (it's a college town, home to Central Michigan University). I suspect she had a job and other reasons to stay in Midland. Also, as long as she avoided several areas in the south of town, it's a somewhat safe area, even at 2 am.

I agree that it's not a long-term answer, but it was working out for her. Other than the theft of services, she really wasn't bothering anyone.

There's also not much in Mt. Pleasant besides the college and the casino. A lot of it is reservation territory, too, as I recall.

 

[jward]

Pretty ingenious really...relatively safe location ..with electricity no less.

zactly. I was impressed with her choice.

-and horrified when I stopped and counted all the weird stories of people lodged in other people's homes and properties on the sly.

You wouldn't believe the number of calls our PD gets for "someone is in my basement" I bet not all of them are due to cat burglars and skittish imaginations

 

[Meemur]

There's also not much in Mt. Pleasant besides the college and the casino. A lot of it is reservation territory, too, as I recall.

They've added more housing and programs, first to help students who were living in cars. I still have friends working at CMU. Yes, it's a Chippawa stronghold. If you are related to the tribe, there's a ton of freebies available.
The casino also brought in a lot of homeless, so there's that, too.

I did some of my schooling there. I'm glad I was there before the casino. We didn't used to lock our doors. That changed when the circus came to town.

I was back in East Lansing by then, a much better place to spend summers: tons more free concerts!

 

[Blacknarwhal]

They've added more housing and programs, first to help students who were living in cars. I still have friends working at CMU. Yes, it's a Chippawa stronghold. If you are related to the tribe, there's a ton of freebies available.
The casino also brought in a lot of homeless, so there's that, too.

I did some of my schooling there. I'm glad I was there before the casino. We didn't used to lock our doors. That changed when the circus came to town.

I was back in East Lansing by then, a much better place to spend summers: tons more free concerts!

My folks and I used to go there in summer for a day trip. We have fond memories of the Sweet Onion restaurant.

 

[Millwright]

Thanks I see that MI has been added to the thread title now. One has to wonder how cold she got during the winter months.

I'd guess it was in that dormer sign?

Maybe some heat leakage from the store?

Access from the flat roof behind it?

Roof ladder for condensing units on roof.


I couldn't get good details from the satellite pic.