Hi everyone, I live alone in an apartment building in NYC, and something really strange happened today. I'd appreciate some outside perspectives because I'm not sure how seriously I should take this.
I found an already-opened package in the common area downstairs. Inside was a silicone breastplate. There was no shipping label, recipient name, or clear address, but someone had handwritten “2C” on the package, which is my apartment number.
There was also a sticker on the package that said “Made in China.”
I didn't order anything like this, and I have no idea who left it there or why my apartment number was written on it.
What makes me especially uncomfortable is that I'm a woman living alone, and I'm the only Chinese person in my building, as far as I know.
I realize the sticker could be completely unrelated, and I don't want to jump to conclusions. However, finding a strange, opened package containing an intimate body-related item with my apartment number written on it feels unsettling. I can't help wondering whether someone could be targeting me, playing a prank, or trying to make me uncomfortable.
There's a security camera covering the area where the package was left, so I'm planning to contact my super or building management to ask them to review and preserve the footage.
For those of you who live in NYC or have dealt with something similar:
- Would you consider this potential harassment, or could there be a more innocent explanation?
- Would you ask building management to review the security footage first, or file a police report?
- Given that I'm a woman living alone and the only Chinese resident in the building, would you be concerned about possible targeting, or is there not enough information to make that connection?
- Is there anything else I should do to document the incident or protect myself?
I don't want to overreact or make assumptions about anyone's intentions, but I also don't want to dismiss something that could be intentional.
I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts and advice. Thank you!