Red Flags

[Mt Shooter]

Kinda late the other night, the wife had gone to bed, I was watching the tube. The door bell rings, and I looked out to see a young hispanic male, shaved head, wearing all black. I cracked the door open and he said his car had broke down a couple of blocks and needed to use my phone.

Flags one and two, why did he walk a couple of blocks to use just my phone. In this day and age, doesnt everyone have a cell phone?

I told him to standby and went and got the portable phone and my Kel Tec, racked the slide and returned to the door. Pistol behind my back, I handed him the phone. I think he heard the Kel Tec being racked as his eyes where a little bigger. He called a number and was a bit jittery and said "come on this is really serious." Someone picked up and then hung up, he called a couple of other numbers but no answer. He handed me back my phone and left.

I called the cops and told them what happen, just in case he called because of the gun, which he never did see.

Its kinda amazing how fast they show up when the word gun is used. The dispatcher called and asked where my gun was, and I told them it was on the desk. She said the the two officers outside where coming to the door. They asked if I had a gun and told them no. I showed my hands and relayed the above story. They left to go look for him, We left town for a few days the following morning. Rest a assured that the alarms where all set.

Aside from not answering the door at all what else should have been done or not done?

 

[TallPine]

Maybe just call 911 in the first place. Tell them there is a stranded motorist and you can't help them.

The deputies around here frequently stop to check on stopped vehicles along the hiway. They will try to get them assistance, but of course they always run a 29-31 on the plates and the individual(s).

Where was this in Montana? Obviously not out in the sticks where I live.

 

[abrink]

I would have dialed 1911! Haha. You did everything right. Didn't see anything wrong. Probably the same as what I'd have done.

 

[Sans Authoritas]

Good move with the portable. The only way to go. Well done. Except having to rack the Kel-Tec, unless it was done to, ehm... keep him abreast of the situation.

-Sans Authoritas

 

[704338]

Sounds like you handled it pretty well.

Not answering the door probably could have turned out worse than answering the door. [example: sneaking in and catching you off guard.]

I know if I were to ever do anything stupid while someone wasn't home I'd always knock on the door anyways with a good excuse in mind just in case someone did answer.

Something to think about next time:
Offer to call a tow truck.
Offer to call the police.
Offer to provide assistance with someone you can trust by your side. Most people have it in their mind that one person can be dealt with but when you involve another party then that's a bit more stuff to involve.

For the good or bad, who knows the situation. Perhaps he was really a stranded motorist and he came to your house late at night because he saw a light on. As you were watching TV, maybe he saw a glare or the lights on through the windows.

Minus the Hispanic background his description sounds similar to mine, and I wouldn't hurt a fry.

Just a few things to think about next time.

 

[DontTr3adOnM3]

Pretty much the exact way I would have handled it. Except for due to the location we live right now I never answer the door day or night with out my carry piece on me.

 

[buck00]

The door bell rings, and I looked out to see a young hispanic male, shaved head, wearing all black. I cracked the door open and he said his car had broke down a couple of blocks and needed to use my phone.

This whole con is increasingly antiquated in a day and age with cell phones, yet perps still use it. They usually do this- have a girl show up at the door (you let your guard down, then 3 guys (hiding) jump out and rush you when you open the door).

* The response should have been "oh no problem, I'm calling the police now they can help you out." A legitimate stranded motorist should welcome the police, right?

In reality this perp was "interviewing you" or casing you (a probe)- probably hoping some wimpy guy or a teenage girl answered the door. He didn't expect the sound of a racked slide.

 

[JWarren]

I called the cops and told them what happen, just in case he called because of the gun, which he never did see.

I'm not so certain I've have called the police for the reason that you gave.

So what if I rack the slide of a gun in my own house? So what if I have a gun in my own house?

It seems to me that this is an unnecessary step to getting yourself on the LEO radar for doing nothing.

If he called the police, what would he say? You didn't do anything.


-- John

 

[Fred Fuller]

If he called the police, what would he say?

"Hey, man, this crazy dude over there in that house, yeah, that house right there, he just pulled a gun on me, man!" Something like that. Then it's 'he said, she said' with the cops from there on out. Yeah, it may be crazy, but sane people don't act that way in the first place.

First one to call the cops is the victim...

lpl/nc

 

[DRYHUMOR]

ALWAYS keep a round in the chamber.
NEVER show your firepower to potential enemies.
IMAGINE all the possibilities and prepare for them

 

[Pat-inCO]

My approach, use it if you like:

Door bell rings - I walk to the door with a .45 on my hip, turn on the light and with the description you gave, then turn the light back off (lets them know I'm there and that I don't care for their looks, but nothing else).

If they continue, call 911, verify that the 1911 is loaded and wait/watch.

 

[Mt Shooter]

The door bell ring did wake the wife upstairs. She was looking out the window to see if anyone was coming around back or along side the house. We have had one break-in two years ago, and last year someone came onto the back deck and helped them selfs to our things. That is when the alarm system was installed, security lights as well.

I must agree with Lee the first to call is the victim.

 

[rainbowbob]

I cracked the door open...

By now I'm sure I'm stating the obvious: There was NO reason to open the door. If it had been a reasonably well-planned home invasion - they would have been in that door and on you before you could have done another thing.

I told him to standby and went and got the portable phone and my Kel Tec...

Was the door locked at that point? If not...more

On the plus side...give your wife a big hug for her alert observation from the window.

If you are compelled to help out strangers in the future...

Have a gun in your pocket - or your hand - before you go to the locked door which remains locked. Ask through the locked door what the problem is. Offer to call the police to assist them (or AAA if you're a member and feeling generous).

If they're legit, they will thank you and wait by their car for assistance.

If they're not legit...whatever happens next happens with you armed behind a locked door.

 

[rainbowbob]

Oh man...

I have to make a confession. I realize it will make me look like a complete dumb-ass - but perhaps it will be instructive.

After writing my last post with all kinds of great advice about gun in pocket, locked doors, etc...

...I left my cozy little computer room and realized I had left two ground level doors and a window unlocked, my pocket pistol in the bedroom closet, and I'm still not sure where my cell phone is! :banghead:

I'm afraid this is a perfect illustration of how easy it is to give good advice to somebody else after the fact - while completely disregarding your own good advice.

Having admitted that...I still think there is great value in having others provide objective feed-back on stressful incidents we have been involved in and posted about. It is hard to be objective about our own experiences - and easy to be complacent about our own security.

 

[brownie0486]

The door bell rings, and I looked out to see a young hispanic male, shaved head, wearing all black.

Best advice? Learn to profile.

The door doesn't get unlocked, let alone opened to people I don't know. Thats the rule at my place, it's strictly adhered to by myself and my wife.

If I don't know them, didn't invite them to my place, they don't get the door opened for any reason. They can hear me just fine through the door. "Give me the description of your vehicle, I'll call the cops and have them respond, why don't you go wait for them back at your car until then, they'll be right along."

Brownie

 

[springmom]

Why did you open the door?

We get a lot of strangers coming through our neighborhood. Sometimes, during the day, if there are other folks out and around, I'll answer....while holding my barking Irish terrier back by her harness. I could be carrying my 20 gauge and she'd be what they'd be looking at. (Good girl!) At night, or if it's midday and nobody else is out and around, I don't answer. My husband, social creature that he is, answers every time. Drives me bats. (Short trip.)

We have all of us been socialized to answer the phone and answer the door. It's worthwhile to stop and ask yourself "why exactly do I feel I need to do that?" If it is someone you did not invite, then you don't owe the person at the door your time. They do not have a constitutional right to succeed at interrupting your day. You do not have any reason to put yourself at risk especially in the situation you've described. Don't. Answer. The. Door.

There are tons of frauds being used for "interviewing" people; the big one around here right now is "I saw your alarm sign and we can give you a better price on that same company's service". If they're not casing for burglary or home invasion, they're trolling for info that can be used for identity theft. Either way, I'm not interested.

I'm glad you and your family are ok, but you took quite a risk.

Springmom

 

[Leanwolf]

SPRINGMOM - "There are tons of frauds being used for "interviewing" people; the big one around here right now is "I saw your alarm sign and we can give you a better price on that same company's service". If they're not casing for burglary or home invasion, they're trolling for info that can be used for identity theft."

Yep. We had one of those "nice young men" stop at our home a few days ago. It only took him a couple of questions before I told him to leave.

Scam artists never, ever stop coming up with a new scam a minute.

L.W.

 

[TxState101]

The "security alarm service" technique has been used by some people coming around the house a couple of times.

Their eyes got pretty big at the barking 120 pound labrador retriever. I wonder how big they would have got at the S&W 642 that was being held to the side?

 

[mbt2001]

The problem with "cracking the door" is you feel like you are controlling the encounter. A swift kick to the door once the perp sees that it is opening would take you off balance and then he bum rushes in....


Doc2005 had the best advice:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=356917&highlight=steak&page=2

Knock, knock, knock...

Homeowner: What the "Hades" do you want?!

Fool on porch: <<Pause>> I...I...I'm selling steaks...ya wanna buy some?"

Homeowner: Oh my pitbulls love steak! Just a minute, I'll send them right out. <<Whistles to dogs>> Hey...wait! Where you going?

So I am all for racking your slide... And (as my brother said) getting a large male dog with a german name.

If he really wanted help, he could make the calls he needed. If he didn't, he needed a change of shorts.

 

[Mt Shooter]

You forgot about the storm door, it was still closed and opens outward.

 

[qwert65]

I'm suprised at how many members wouldn't help someone. I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just suprised.

He could of had a cell but the battery died, there was no signal, esp if not with a big company like cingular, verizon, etc. maybe his cell phone broke(dropped in toilet, dropped on concrete, etc.)
Or he could be one of the few people nowadays without a cell.

I think informing them that someone(wife) will call the police for them and he could wait inside would have been more polite.
Note, i would still have a handgun on me and I have a very large, not freindly to strangers GSD.
I guess my point is that we shouldn't let paranoia keep us from being civilized
obvisouly each case is different

 

[brownie0486]

qwert65,

The young male "said his car had broke down a couple of blocks". Thats a red flag that he targeted that house for some undetermined reason, unless you are the only house within that couple of blocks in either direction.

By calling the cops, I've helped him as far as I'm willing to go at that hour under those circumstances. In another time and place I might be of more help or I might not, but the time of day/night will determine my response with anyone.

I think informing them that someone(wife) will call the police for them and he could wait inside would have been more polite.

Predators appeal to ones sense of fair play, of not being rude to gain an advantage over potential victims through ruse at times. The advantage here may have just been to get the door opened, then the scenario can be taken in any direction from that point going forward.

I'm obligated to me and mine to use my best judgment based on my time here on earth and my background of working the streets for 28 years. At that hour, with the statement made by the male in those circumstances, I'm not going to be much more helpful than calling the non-emergency number of the local PD for someone meeting his description at my front door.

If you want my help at that hour at my front door, not being a skinhead might be met with a different response.

Brownie

 

[hso]

I would advise getting a couple of solid door latches if you insist on opening the door partially to talk to strangers on your doorstep.

********************

gwert,

There's no need to let a stranger into your home at night to be polite because they actually need to wait with their vehicle to make sure that they're with it when help arrives.

*******************

Howdy Brownie!

 

[brownie0486]

Hope all is well in your world hso. Tell everyone I was asking for them and sent my regards if you would sir.

Brownie

 

[qwert65]

Brownie, as already posted it was late maybe he saw the ligt of the tv so he knew there was a good chance someone was up.

I said in my post I wasn't saying he did anything wrong. My point was that we shouldn't let parinoa keep us from being polite.

I agree that predators try to get in in a variety of ways, many times I've let salesmen in and told them to stay in the hall(again a large unrestrained dog growling probably helps) and of course you always have to be ready. In fact in my state NJ if things went bad (say they pushed through the door you shoot them they run outside and die) things could get rough legally especially in the northern counties.