Don't park next to a van. We've all seen the emails warning about this. Generally we all take the closest parking space we can find without regard to what type of vehicle is parked next to us. Odds are favorable the minivan belongs to a soccer mom and it is perfectly harmless. But don’t get complacent. Be alert and be vigilant. Vans can also block the view of any wrong doing. It'd be easy for someone to slip out of the van and cause you harm.
What happens if you return to your vehicle to find a van parked next to you? Enter from the passenger side. So what if it looks odd that you are getting in on that side? You wouldn't be the first person with a driver's side door that was inoperable. So what if it is inconvenient to climb over the console? Isn't it better to be alive and inconvenienced?
