Loitering in unattended 'mats

[PeterH]

What are some effective methods, if there are any, for keeping people, particularly homeless people, from loitering/camping in unattended laundromats?

-ph

[Howard]

Probably the best way is to make it an attended laundromat ;~} Just kidding.

I know one guy that pays a local limo drive to sit infront of his store between pickups at night. Another option is to install a remote camera system that you can monitor from home and then just call the police. Why not ask the local police if they can look in during their drive bys.

[Marianne]

I spoke to as many as possible and also put up some handwritten signs in their favorite corners. Explained that the laundromat counted on paying customers to pay expenses and that many of the paying customers were afraid of them and put off by the general messiness. I used to give them free washes when I needed to test a machine, so they knew I meant well.

[petefritz]

I have had this problem from time to time. I just tell them to move on and the next time I see them I will have the police give them trespass warants. At times I have paid a cab driver to take the "person" at least 5 miles away to a bus stop. You need to hang around your laundromat more often to clean out the riff-raff from time to time. If it gets real bad, lock the bathroom door for a week or two.And do not leave old clothes for customers to claim around either. But hanging around telling them to leave or be arrested works best.
good luck
Pete