Philadelphia Squatter (and ex-squatter) doc. - PART TWO

Part two of James Fattu's 2006 documentary about squatters and ex-squatters, made in Philadelphia in 2006. Me and my friend Boood were interviewed for this.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Philadelphia
• oil
• refinery
• squatters

[Braleven]

I wonder if there is a way to get electricity to work in squats that don't have it working. Hm.

[WhollyGhost]

@Braleven You can hook it up from public utilities. A squat I lived in in Philly used to have electricity hooked up from a stoplight - it only worked when the light was red, though! Another place had it hooked up from a phone booth. You just have to have know-how. I wouldn't have a clue how to do it myself though!

[Braleven]

@WhollyGhost Haha, that is really interesting. I might try to find an extremely long extension cord and get electricity from a street light outlet. The squat I go to is surrounded by a bunch of trees in it's own little area.

[WhollyGhost]

@Braleven Be careful! I imagine there's probably some good information on the internet somewhere on how to pirate from public utilities. I know, for example, that electricity for an entire house was run off that phone booth -- you could only get a limited amount from one extension cord, before you run the risk of burning it up.

[gotalittlecaptain]

I can understand why some ppl find the whole typical suburban lifestyle thing ungratifying and would prefer to squat and have their own personal freedom that way. I have a lot of respect for the decent squatters who are good ppl and just want to improve their own environments and live life on their terms.

[rswoods7]

for some people, the time-for-money exchange isn't satifying. society's idea of "better yourself" isn't appealing to us... it's not a mental illness... it's a dream, a desire, a lifestyle. "comfort will never be comfortable for those who want what is not on the market", and we'll continue to prefer squatting to the standard mainstream american living. it makes sense if you realign your perception of what is desirable. even in new orleans

[WhollyGhost]

@Traductus5972 From my experience it's a case by case basis, as far as leniency. It just depends what mood the cops are in that day or whatever. You still have to be careful about neighbors - keep a good relationship with them, get off on a good foot - or they can call you in. I know frats are notorious for "partying", as are a lot of squatters (drinking etc.), and that can present a real problem on that front. If you're mellow & nice to neighbors you'll increase your odds of success for sure.

[Traductus5972]

@WhollyGhost eh not really they're more concerned about drugs on campus and there isn't really a policy on getting busted for squatting and i here that PA is really lenient on it (I could be wrong since i'm going by hear say since i've never done it before) but i heard as long as you don't break in and the landowner doesn't find out your pretty much fine, and since there's a lot of houses that are abandoned the landowner thing won't be that big of an issue

[WhollyGhost]

@Traductus5972 That's crazy! Just be careful of getting busted for squatting, it could tarnish your college career, I'd imagine!

[Traductus5972]

After showing my fraternity brothers this, we might actually fix up a squat and use that if we can't buy a fraternity house.

[skulldrix]

This makes me think about what I'm gonna do with my life when I graduate. Fuck.