Possible Scenarios

[colorado_handgunner]

This is my first post in S&T, so if this is off topic or not appropriate for discussion here, moderators please delete with my apologies.

The other night I get a knock on my door at 8 pm. Looking out the peephole I see an individual I do not recognize. Rather large male, mid to late twenties wearing a button down shirt and a closed jacket. I ask through the door, “Can I help you?” He gives a name that I could not catch and says he is going around trying to get support for something or another. At this point I tell him I cannot help him and leave it at that. Two things that stood out to me were the following: 8pm is a bit late for door-to-door solicitation and the weather was a bit warm for the jacket he was wearing. The jacket was also worn in a way to conceal anything he was carrying and both hands were in the jacket pockets. I have run across a scam with a similar description in the past, and would like you all’s input into possible scenarios and how to handle such a situation.

Just to note: I am of the mindset that I never open my door for someone I do not know. Unfortunately, I had recently got home from work and the gun was still in the safe since I cannot carry at work. That will not happen again.

Possible scenarios:
1. Actually promoting a cause, vote, candidate, etc.
2. Sales Scam
3. Casing the apartment complex to find out who is home when or to see inside to determine which units are viable targets
4. “Bum rush” when someone opens the door

Thanks for your input.

 

[sheepdog]

Push...

...play on your tape recording of snarling Doberman Pinschers and turn it up loud...and go back to what you were doing....

 

[BrianB]

Great learning experience for you. Sounds like you're already practicing OS, and making a couple improvements as you go. Who knows what the deal was. Then again, do you really care? You're safe and they're gone.

 

[sidheshooter]

Who knows what was up there? Just pulling a guess out of thin air, I'd say #1 and #2 are probably both out, since either case usually involves holding some literature or a clipboard or something.

I suppose that leaves #3 and #4 as the best guesses (outside of some sort of case of mistaken identity, ie: the guy thought you were the place to score some weed or something).

That being the case, I'm glad you stood your ground on opening the door, and I'm glad the guy moved along.

 

[psyopspec]

I have run across a scam with a similar description in the past, and would like you all’s input into possible scenarios and how to handle such a situation.

Just the way you did. Not opening the door for someone you don't know is about as good of a course of action as you can do in this case.

 

[Ryder]

After dark I won't even look until I get an answer (no porch light). I just yell out "who's there" through the wall while standing back far enough that the door won't hit me if it crashes in.

Can visitors after dark see the light in your peep hole go dark when you stick your eye up to it? Nice target that would make for bullet

 

[Averageman]

How about

walk around through the house, open the garage door and now you have him in essence in a corner,....at least in my house.
The lights come on when you approach my door automatically, anyone there is back lit. If I get to the door and dont know you, I am surely not opening it, but the plan is I can open my garage door in this case and now whomever is there is in a corner and back lit by my security lights.

 

[ozarkgunner]

We have storm doors on our house which we keep locked. So there is always a barrier even when the "door" is opened. But we still don't just go and open up when ever someone is at the door. And the kids know never to open the door, even when we are home.
I suppose if you knew the person at the door was up to no good you could try to go around and corner them, but to what end? You could only escort them off your property. You cold call the police, but they wouldn't do anything because the person hasn't "actually done anything", which I have run into before. It could also result in an unnescesarry confrontation, but I would be one of the last ones to let someone go with out a strong warning of what they would be in for if they attempted a break in or any thing else.

 

[Erik M]

3. Casing the apartment complex to find out who is home when or to see inside to determine which units are viable targets
4. “Bum rush” when someone opens the door

These are the two that always enter my mind when I have unwanted visitors. I think you handled the situation great. I always have a weapon on my person when I awnser the door to strangers. My house has a solid wood front door with a locking steel storm door on the outside. i do not open either when someone knocks, I ask them what they want through the door.

 

[TheProf]

It's not enough to "just not open the door". If the person sounds suspicious...place an extra physical barrier against the door; for example, brace a chair against the door knob. Then keep your weapon handy.

The MO of bad guys is to get you to the door (so they know where you are). Opening the door for them is not necessary. A simple kick will make that front door fly open.

By the way, don't give them the "silent treatment". They will assume that no one is home and will kick that door open.

Verbally acknowledge them...keep the door closed...and with an extra layer of physical barrier...weapon handy...and alarm system "on".

 

[ozarkgunner]

My wife and I have made it clear that our kids are not to answer the door, even when we are home. We have instructed the kids to never open the door them selves, even when they know we are getting home. I built a tornado shelter into our master bedroom closet. They have been instructed to get in there and lock the door, it is all steel, and call us if some one makes repeated attempts at the door, or if someone trys to get in. My son know where and how to opperate our HD shotgun, and has been instructed to get it and take it in there with him.
I have thought about "testing" them, but I am 90% sure that my son will follow my instructions and use the means I have given him to incapacitate an intruder.
Who has a safe room to retreat to if needed? What provisions do you have?

 

[psyopspec]

The MO of bad guys is to get you to the door (so they know where you are). Opening the door for them is not necessary. A simple kick will make that front door fly open.

That's an improvement I'd recommend for any home owner. If your door is like most in America, it can be easily defeated with a swift kick. Upgrade to a steel core, and if you want to add an extra layer, get one of those metal mesh exterior doors to go outside of it.