topic Re: Would this worry you? in Community Chat

Would this worry you?

Shorty2U — Tue, 06 May 2014 07:25:57 GMT

Earlier this evening some shady looking woman knocked on our door. (We live in a development in the country and I peeked out the curtains). Well we NEVER answer UNLESS we know someone is coming by, (or for package delivery) because we are sick of people trying to sell stuff or selling their services door to door. Anyway after 2 rings of the bell (annoying!) she left.

So I wouldn't think anything of it but she came back again ringing our bell 3 times the 2nd time. I was upstairs and said to my husband who is there now? He said the same woman (and my DH says youre right she looks "shady"). Well he didn't answer and I think he should have this time.

Now Im concerned she was either casing the place out to see who lives here (or when we are home), or seeing if we have a barking dog (we don't DH is allergic).

Because IMO a person selling stuff would just keep going NOT come back. And I am alone in the early morning because my husband goes to work very early (in the dark). I have trouble sleeping so as it is, now I probably wont sleep. AND I have been saying since we cant have a dog, we SHOULD have a security system.

Anyway, next time a stranger comes to the door, Im telling him to get the darn door for peace of mind!

Lastly not in our direct area but in our county men or women have gone to doors and knock then rob the place or come back later. (Especially as the weather is getting warmer). Not to be paranoid but this and her coming to the door twice has me concerned.

Re: Would this worry you?

Mistic — Tue, 06 May 2014 07:46:56 GMT

No Dog = Alarm System. My opinion is, if you are home alone early in the morning, you should (if budget allows) get an Alarm System. One that has a panic button on it. If your bedroom is in the 2nd floor, a unit with the panic button can be put in there too.

Just another thought, if your Husband could turn on outdoor flood lights when he leaves for work when it is still dark, you could turn them off when you get up. Creeps don't generally like places that are well lit.

Sorry that you are feeling frightened. It is definitely not a good feeling to have.

Re: Would this worry you?

JustJules — Tue, 06 May 2014 07:56:32 GMT

She could have just been someone needing help, perhaps her car broke down and you were the closest people she could find. You could interpret it as creepy, but unless you answered the door or at least yelled out to ask what they wanted, you'll never know. You can never be too cautious, but at the same time, not everyone has evil intent.

Re: Would this worry you?

mistriTsquirrel — Tue, 06 May 2014 08:40:52 GMT

I bought a sticker on eBay that says, "Body Piercing Courtesy of Smith and Wesson."

It cost about $5 with shipping, and the peace of mind it has brought me is priceless.

Re: Would this worry you?

brii — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:02:17 GMT

If she looked "shady," you could have called the police and notified them they were in the area.

Re: Would this worry you?

qualitygal — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:07:48 GMT

If she shows up again, do call the police and let them help her out. Maybe she was lost, maybe not. Go with gut instincts! I've learned that for me.

Re: Would this worry you?

Chalcedony — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:09:23 GMT

I give it a pretty low likelihood that she had ill intent. Like Jules, I think she may have needed help. If you are that concerned about security, install an alarm system, buy a gun, or both.

Re: Would this worry you?

Pook — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:14:08 GMT

In our neighborhood there rarely is a time when anyone unknown to you will knock on anyone's door. I don't answer if I don't know the person.

OP there is a device and I can't remember where I saw it that when pulled sounds just lie a rifle being cocked. It's loud and probably would be a deterrent.

Re: Would this worry you?

MikafromTopeka — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:45:01 GMT

We are semi-rural and we get yahoos out here all the time selling everything from meat from out of the back of their truck to dish soap plus the J-dubs.

I put a note on the door for the UPS, Fed Ex, etc. that there is a day sleeper and please do not knock and that has taken care of all the sales/missionaries too.

My son does work nights but my main reason for the note was because the dog gets set off when someone knocks and stays upset and nervous all day and then she'll bark at any little noise she hears all day long.

Re: Would this worry you?

CouponQueen — Tue, 06 May 2014 12:48:56 GMT

I would of been more concerned that somebody needed help and I didn't help them.

I would of yelled thru the door loudly ..asking if I could help her with something..and then take it from there.'

Looking ""shady"" can be a large interpretation..

Re: Would this worry you?

shorelady — Tue, 06 May 2014 13:01:24 GMT

Just my opinion, but I think one of the worst things you can do is not acknowledge the person knocking by at least saying "who is there" or if you are alone, you could say something like "that's okay, honey, I'll find out who it is". No need to open the door.

Just last year we had someone ringing doorbells (10AM) in our neighborhood. When he was acknowledged, he asked for somebody fictitious. Finally no one answered him, and he tried to break in. Thankfully the alarm went off in the empty home which scared him away.

Maybe this person needed help and maybe she didn't. If they claim to need help, tell them you will call the police for them to get help.

Re: Would this worry you?

stilltamn8r — Tue, 06 May 2014 13:03:37 GMT

It IS sad that where we (years ago) raced to see who was at the door, now just the sound of the knocking or bell ringing when we don't expect it, brings fear to us..

We have all heard stories, like you report, Shorty, people ringing to "case the joint" or even worse, you answer and they rob you or shoot you or...

I have no solution, and living in the city does not make you immune to the fear- I realized it a couple hears ago when I had a friend over, and someone rang my bell, when I answered the door (it was a carpet cleaning service trying to make a sale) my friend said "I can't believe you answer your door!"

Before that, I ahd never really thought about it- being short, my "peephole" is too high to see out of...

I guess I am lucky that I am not home very often...

I dont have an answer, but agree that at least an alarm system might give you peace of mind- good luck-

Re: Would this worry you?

LilacTree — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:16:10 GMT

When I lived in my townhouse over ten years ago, a young guy (who I had seen around the neighborhood with a young woman), knocked on my door and said he had locked himself out of his townhouse and could he use my phone to call his girlfriend. I told him to give me her phone number and I would call her for him. He then said "never mind" and walked away. I was never sure if I overreacted or not, but IMO, better safe than sorry. He lived several townhouses down from mine and I wondered why he chose my house instead of one that was closer.

When I lived with one of my daughters for a short while (in a great big house in a wealthy neighborhood) my grandkids used to drive me crazy when the doorbell would ring and they would race to the door and open it wide. I scolded them several times for doing that, but it didn't do any good. My daughter used to do it too.

I can remember the days when we didn't even lock our doors at night. But that is not the world we live in anymore. And even then, one night a man walked into our house and began raiding the refrigerator. He was drunk and thought he was home!

Re: Would this worry you?

lulu2 — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:19:07 GMT

I'm not sure what shady looks like.

Generally I answer the door without opening the outside door. If I were suspicious, I'd call the police.

Re: Would this worry you?

Lipstickdiva — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:21:54 GMT

This is why I have said over and over again, I don't think it's a good idea NOT to answer your door.

We have had several instances in our area as well where people are going around, knocking on doors and if no one answers, they come back and break into the home. If someone answers, they make up some excuse as to why they are there and move along. Over the winter, they knocked on doors and if someone answered, they asked the people if they wanted their driveways and sidewalks shoveled. But what tipped people off as odd was the fact they didn't have any shovels!

It was just in our local paper again that this is happening. Not sure what story they are telling now.

DH and I have 2 dogs. The one is so aggressive with strangers coming to our home, I can barely get the door open. But if someone knocks, we always answer.

Experts have said the best deterrent for a burglar is actually a barking dog.

Re: Would this worry you?

brii — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:24:56 GMT

If someone knocks or rings the bell, I make it known someone is home. I don't have to open the door to do that either.

Re: Would this worry you?

pistolino — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:27:30 GMT

Your gut instinct shouldn't be ignored. If that ever happens again, call the police--don't send your husband to open the door. That's how home invasions can occur.

Re: Would this worry you?

151949 — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:33:46 GMT

I am really surprised at how many of you don't answer the door when someone rings the bell.

Re: Would this worry you?

151949 — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:38:51 GMT

On 5/6/2014 Ford1224 said:
When I lived in my townhouse over ten years ago, a young guy (who I had seen around the neighborhood with a young woman), knocked on my door and said he had locked himself out of his townhouse and could he use my phone to call his girlfriend. I told him to give me her phone number and I would call her for him. He then said "never mind" and walked away. I was never sure if I overreacted or not, but IMO, better safe than sorry. He lived several townhouses down from mine and I wondered why he chose my house instead of one that was closer.

When I lived with one of my daughters for a short while (in a great big house in a wealthy neighborhood) my grandkids used to drive me crazy when the doorbell would ring and they would race to the door and open it wide. I scolded them several times for doing that, but it didn't do any good. My daughter used to do it too.

I can remember the days when we didn't even lock our doors at night. But that is not the world we live in anymore. And even then, one night a man walked into our house and began raiding the refrigerator. He was drunk and thought he was home!

When we were in Pa a man walked up onto the deck and into my house through the sliding door - he too was drunk and did not know where he was. The dog ( a weimaraner) flew at him and he got out of there at top speed - he jumped off the deck that was 5ft off the ground and kept on running with the dog chasing him across the yard and into the woods. Our next door neighbor heard the dog and went after them and had the guy arrested - the neighbor was a cop - and the man slept it off in jail. Thank goodness the dog did not bite him.

Re: Would this worry you?

kdgn — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:39:30 GMT

We have a metal screen door, the security kind with the door handle lock and deadbolt. Sometimes I do answer the front door but I also feel very safe doing so. No one is getting in with that door locked and in place.

Get a security screen door. It makes life a lot easier.