GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Social media is buzzing after one Lake Jeannette resident posted to Facebook, telling the public that a man in an unmarked white van got out of his car to take pictures of her running in such an obvious manner.
More than 100 comments ensued sharing similar experiences in Greensboro with this 'creepy man in a white van,' and the post has been shared almost 2,000 times.
WFMY News 2 spoke with UNCG Police and Greensboro Police, since the man has apparently been spotted across Greensboro. Both departments said it's not technically illegal to take pictures of others in public spaces.
"It may be creepy but it may not be illegal," UNCG Police Chief Paul Lester said.
"Where you have an expectation of privacy like in your home; that would be like a 'peeping tom' or cases of indecent exposure, but to just be in a public place taking pictures of people in public is not necessarily a violation of the law."
One woman on social media said she saw the man snapping pictures of female runners on Tate Street by New York Pizza. Police say social sharing can be a great tool, but always call police if you feel uncomfortable.
"The right thing to do is call the police and share that information on campus we have the emergency phones," Chief Lester said. He also said they have an app called LiveSafe, where you can report suspicious activity anonymously if you choose to.
They may not be able to arrest the man, since he's not doing anything illegal by taking pictures in a public space, but they can at least identify him, find out what he's doing with the pictures, and see if there is anything illegal behind it.
"It may be concerning it may be someone we want to have a conversation with but we need people to report it when they see that type of behavior."
For those in the Lake Jeanette area who could potentially spot the man, police say calling 9-1-1 is the way to go. Greensboro Police say they cannot step up their patrols if they don't have reports of these incidences on record.
"Definitely am surprised that someone would even be bold enough to even do that out here with it being such a high traffic area so that person is very bold very disturbed to be doing that," one Lake Jeannette resident said.
If you feel unsafe to exercise outdoors, Chief Lester has some advice:
"I think you want to take appropriate precautions, be aware of your surroundings, maybe carry a cell phone and stay in contact with someone and let them know where you’re at."