i have a private investigaror in front of my house helpmeout

[jmra]

How well do you know your neighbors? He is obviously investigating someone suspected of either cheating on a spouse or could be investigating some kind of fraud. If the police say he is legit, not really sure I understand what the problem is. Sounds like the guy is just trying to earn a living. Of course if you find out who he is watching and inform them that might move him along. Chances are he would just be replaced by someone else.

Sounds like to me that your problem is more related to one of your neighbors than it is a pi.

[rmr1923]

if the police have checked him out and he's a legit PI, then why do you have such a problem with him being parked out there? your reaction (signs in the yard pointing him out) seems very immature IMO. like jmra said, what if he's investigating a neighbor for something like fraud? if he's not on your property or otherwise disturbing the peace, just leave it alone.

[KC5AV]

If he's doing his job, what's the big deal? He isn't trespassing. The street is public property. Keep an eye on him for sure, but relax a little bit.

[jmra]

Maybe he was hired by the wife of the guy with the 2 yo that comes to your house every day. Just saying.

[speedsix]

...the police checked him out and are sure that he's a professional investigator...
...unless you are doing something that you're afraid of being watched doing, leave him alone...if someone comes up to harm the kids...I'm sure he'll be more help than hurt...stop harassing the man and go about your life...you may be guilty of disturbing the peace the way you keep messin' with him...you don't have a problem now...don't provoke him to the point that you do...having done PI work off-duty as a cop, I know it makes people nervous...but it's a part of the world we live in...you wouldn't run off the plumber, would you???whether or not he's a PI or an anti-terrorism Federal agent...let the man do his job...put yourself in his shoes...he's gotta feed his kids, too...

[G.A. Heath]

I understand both sides. First off you have a suspicious individual who is frequently camped outside your property. The fact that he is a PI doesn't mean that he is a good guy, it just means that he hasn't been caught doing anything too bad. On the other hand speedsix is right, he probably is a good guy and if something were to happen he would more than likely be an asset. I can also understand the concern that some folks might think that you helped him by letting him park there when you couldn't keep him away. Now for some reason you still don't trust him, and it maybe something valid that your subconscious picked up on, so I would take extra care to protect yourself and the family.

[MasterOfNone]

When I was kid, my siblings and I walked to school each day. There was an older man who always hung out on a corner along our route. Whenever we got near him, he tried to make small talk with us. He even started walking with us until we got across the street. Then he returned to his corner and waited for other kids to come along.
They called him a crossing guard. And I doubt that he was checked out any more than the PI on the OP's street. He was just the guy willing to stand out there and do that job for a couple bucks.
This seems like an example of how we have devolved to a state in which everyone is a bad guy unless he can prove unquestionably that he is not. The PI is doing a job, the cops have verified that (which is probably more verification that any of the neighbors have received), and he has done nothing to indicate that he is a threat to anyone. But he is still treated as a criminal because of what he might do. He might even be investigating one of your neighbors whose spouse suspects him/her of abusing their children.
If you feel threatened by him, then by all means take steps to minimize the risk you perceive by making the kids play in the back yard or playing along with them. Put a camera on the guy. But don't attack a man who has done nothing wrong.

[Commander Cody]

The PI isn’t doing a very good job. If you know he is there I’m pretty sure everyone else does too, and will not do anything this guy is looking for when he is out there. So much for private.

[Purplehood]

He may simply be there to make a point to someone. Like, "you are being watched". Than again, he may not.

[rmr1923]

This is Glock27's Wife and i have a problem with it because.....

My Brother and Sister are only 10 and 11 years old..... They are living with me right now.... i am responseable for them and i do not feel one bit comfortable with a man i dont know sitting out side in a truck spying or what ever he is doing while my Brother and Sister are playing out side.... I know they are not my children but they are my world and responseabilty and i feel like i have to sit outside while they play because of this PI.... I live in a nice neighborhood and i should not feel like i have to be threatned and scared to let my Brother and Sister play outside....

well the police have checked him out and say he's legit, he's not disturbing the peace or doing anything illegal, so there's really nothing the police can do. if you feel uncomfortable with having the children play in the front yard, have them play in the back yard instead. you mentioned that you should not feel like you "have to be threatened", but has he done anything to threaten you or anyone else? if you feel uncomfortable then by all means keep an eye on him, but consider this... if he really is a bad guy, what do you or your husband accomplish by antagonizing him with the signs and verbal confrontations? if he really is stalking someone or intends to do someone harm, then you may inadvertently make yourself and the children targets as well.

[bartkatz]

Offer to rent him a spot to mount a hidden camera. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

[USA1]

Offer to rent him a spot to mount a hidden camera. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

..or be a paid informant.

...in this economy, every little bit helps.

[Keith B]

I understand you may feel it is an invasion of privacy having him watching the houses since you don't really know what is happening. However, there could be some benefit to him being there.

Unless he is investigating you, which I doubt since you guys have approached him, he is more than likely checking out another neighbor. Depending on what they are doing, there could be a risk to your family, even if there became a domestic violence issue or some other more heinous type of issue. Additionally, if he is legit then he is not there to try and do harm to your younger siblings, and in turn kinda provides a watchful eye over them when outside if someone would happen to try and harm or abduct them.

So, bottom line, it might be a better thing to see if you can befriend him and maybe provide information (if you so choose to help with his investigation.) This would help you understand more his real purpose of being there and help alleviate the suspicions and concerns that he may be there for harm to your family.