Should I Report Homeless Man Smoking in Building Despite Consequences?

"Should I report a homeless man smoking in my accommodation, despite the potential consequences? Reddit users weigh in on the dilemma."

Damjan

Published in Interesting
11 Oct 2025

Should I Report Homeless Man Smoking in Building Despite Consequences?

Are you in the wrong if you report a homeless person on your accommodation premises to security? That's the dilemma one Reddit user (19F) faced when dealing with a situation involving a mysterious individual setting off fire alarms and smoking near their living space.

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The constant smell of cigarette smoke and the safety hazards posed by blocked staircases and forbidden smoking raised concerns among the flatmates. The fear of repercussions, such as being labeled as a snitch or potentially causing the person to lose their place at university, added complexity to the decision-making process.

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The community's responses varied, with some urging the original poster (OP) to prioritize safety and report the individual for the safety of everyone in the building. Others emphasized the importance of following rules and regulations, especially when they involve potential fire hazards and blocked emergency exits.

The discussion touched on themes of compassion, personal safety, and the distinction between reporting for a valid reason versus merely tattling on someone. Ultimately, the thread highlighted the importance of prioritizing safety and addressing potential risks, even if it means navigating ethical dilemmas and potential social repercussions.

The consensus leaned towards taking action to ensure the well-being of all residents in the accommodation.

Original Post

I (19F) live in off-campus accommodation, and for approximately the past two weeks I’ve been smelling cigarette smoke through my window on the first floor (I can smell it as I’m typing this.) Today , there’s been a series of fire alarms in the last half hour , and when I came up to my room after the 3rd alarm , where I was waiting in the cold with two of my flatmates , I noticed a blanket and an umbrella in the staircase near the building’s laundry room. I’ve previously attempted to get down through this staircase , and been stopped because there’s a combination lock on it (my accommodation doesn’t use these locks to restrict access usually).

After a few seconds , I see the blanket moving and then a tall guy stretching , lighting his cigarette (smoking on the property is forbidden and highly likely the reason for the constant fire alarms). I’ve texted the flat gc , and most haven’t responded , but the one that has , said she feels unsafe and that I should lock my window before going to bed.

I know the logical thing would be to tell the security - these fire alarms have been constant for the past week and the smell of cigarettes is bad for my asthma too , but the snitch culture is HUGE where I am , and I really don’t want to be ‘that person’ , because the guy’s not done anything to me , except for the smell and fire alarms , and I’d feel guilty if he got outsed and had to literally sleep in the streets. He may also get arrested for trespassing , which could cause him to lose his place at University (if he goes there , which he might do , because he seems about my age).

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This is probably very juvenile , but so far I’ve played the song ‘Home’ (it mentions home and cigarettes) so that the guy clues in that someone knows he’s there & stops smoking at leastI’m genuinely afraid that if he sees my face and finds out that I’m thinking of snitching on him he’ll do something untowardly. Yelling down to him isn’t an option - it would be very easy to figure out my exact room and location.

So , would I be the AH if I reported him to security despite knowing what this could do to him ? TLDR: homeless man near stairwell in flat is smoking causing constant fire alarms and making flatmates feel slightly unsafe.

Should I report despite knowing he may be arrested for trespassing on private property / I may be hailed as a snitch ? UPDATE : there are 2 people (1 man and 1 woman) and I’m pretty sure they’re doing the horizontal tango.

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