Opening the door (tactics or common sence question)

[ajacobs]

I am a State Park Ranger (a non- law enforcement position) who lives in a closed lodging facility (required by the job). Even though the facility has been closed many years I have people stopping everyday trying to stay. That usually isn't a problem. The problem is once a week atleast late in the evening Drunks stop looking for a place to stay. They even ocassionally try and force their way in (one of the doors bolts closed the other has a stadard door lock and no deadbolt) thinking that the place is abandoned. They force themselves by slamming their shoulder against the door and I have also caught them trying to card it. Additional background info is that this is afterall Vermont and a pretty safe state. I would generally like to answer the door even though it is a major pain to wake up in the middle of the night get dressed and tell the drunks to go away even though there is clear signs saying we are closed. Neither door has a chain and I don't plan on installing them. Both enteranaces are well lit. Both doors are 1/2 glass.

Obviously I don't answer the door if they are trying to force their way in and I go armed, in a holster. I then yell through the door that we are closed. They then usually go away. If I don't answer the door they usually know I am in there as the dog is barking and they have stood outside yelling for as much as ten minutes trying to get someone to answer the door. My reason for wanting to answer the door are that first my job is customer service and unfortunatly this is part of it. Plus it is winter and I an the only stop place that is occupied for miles and I often have car accidents or other people that need legitimate help. I have not phoned the police on any of the drunks or poeple trying to force their way in as it is often after 2am and no police are on duty and I can't be sure that they are legally drunk or the driver of the vehicle is drunk. Also it goes unsaid that even if someone tried to force their way in I would prefer not to shoot them unless I absolutely had to. I do have Pepper spray and that would be my 1st line of defence preferably.

So that leaves me to my questions. Regardless of my situation what are some sound techniques you use to open the door to strangers?

Given my situation and the restrictions of 1/2 glass door (meaning pistol in holster when I open the door and pepper spray in week hand no long guns as that would be hard in a retention situation) what are the techniques I should use?

Thirdly, am I a complete idiot for opening the door to begin with at 2am? I am mostly just trying to be helpful or keep them from yelling outside for ten minutes or another fear is since they know someone is in there and not answering the door taking out retrabution on one of the vehicles outside etc.

 

[TarpleyG]

What are all these drunks doing out there in the middle of nowhere in the first place? Otherwise, opening the door should be a judgement call. Being that you can SEE them through the glass, you are not entirely at a disadvantage and can probably tell if they mean you any harm.

GT

 

[MLH]

I would

get a door stopper to put behind door so it could not be forced open all at once. They make rubber ones that you could just slide under door. That would give you some time to step back and figure out what's happening. Also maybe a different sign that's plainly states that only emergency help is available here as they be thinking that CLOSED just means you've closed for the night and not out of business.

 

[ajacobs]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess I am asking for a blanket answer to a variable situation that is under difficult circumstances.

 

[M1911]

In general, don't open door. You can speak to them through the door.

 

[Archie]

Any chance to....

have a speaker system installed?

You can talk to whoever is outside without opening the door or even being seen.

 

[krept]

I think an intercom system would be a great idea as well. Also think that you are doing the right thing so far. Bad people are out there but other people may really need help, especially if they are in a fix out in the boonies. Tough situation.

 

[sonoranjack]

I'd call the cops. This aint your joint. The only thing ya need to worry about is personal safety. Any problems in terms of braking down the door or crimminal damage to property is still a police matter any way. So ya still need the cops. Your by your self right. So ya got no back up. Also this is your job. What does your boss say? The lodge is closed. Is the park closed also? Either way if the lodge is closed nobody has a legal right to be there. Knocking on your door is traspassing. So I'd call the cops.

 

[ajacobs]

Thanks again for all the advice. I am looking into an intercom. The sign is very clear that we are closed for the season. The park is also closed but it is state land and people can come and go as they please. Additionally I am trying to be helpful.

 

[TallPine]

Just some thoughts ...

If you turn on an outside light but leave the light off inside the door, then you can see them but they can't see you. Doesn't solve the problem but gives you an advantage. (good practice for night calls in general, even in town)

Is the "lodge" multi-story? If so, you could "answer" the door by opening an upstairs window on the front of the bldg. This gives you a lot of advantages: you can talk to them in a friendly manner without opening the door; you have an advantage of height over them which is naturally intimidating; you can duck back and have more structure between you and them in case they are armed. I have some friends who operate an active resort, and they have a balcony from which they deal with guests who have reservations but who arrive after closing hours (they live over a store/office). They also get their share of wierdos wanting to buy gas or a candy bar at 2am, and the occasional genuine distress call.

Even a ground floor window would help - if somebody wants something at 2am, they can walk over to that part of the bldg to talk.

 

[gryphon]

See if you can get a CCD camera and intercom installed, that way you can communicate with the people outside without actually coming to the door.

For the doors themselves, do they open in or out? If they open in(I'm assuming they do as you stated that the people are trying to shoulder them open), setup 2 brackets on the inside and slide a 2x4 through them in front of the door. Not too many normal people will shoulder their way through that. Also, if you feel the need, you cn add more braces/2x4 if necessary.