Well crap. We goofed. (nothing too serrious)

[Comrade Mike]

I'd suggest to your neighbors that they get a large dog. German shepherds are good. 75 pounds of snarling anger will discourage most smash and grab thieves.

 

[two gun charlie]

I'd suggest to your neighbors that they get a large dog.

they poison dogs over here , makes them pretty useless unless you keep them indoors at night

 

[ACP]

3 thoughts:

1) doors should be kick-proof

2) guns should be in a safe if you're not home, not "kick and grab"

3) you did fine

 

[TRX]

> Obviously the major goof was the police not being called. No idea
> why my aunt didn't do so.

Are you sure she didn't call?

I've had to call the local 911 three times in the last 20 years. Their standard response is to pick up the phone, say "please hold", and then... you hang there until you give up and call again.

 

[Lethal Threat]

While it is easy for any of us to arm chair quarterback any situation like this, at some point in time we have got to go back to taking care of each other. Smartphones, cameras and personal protection will put a stop to this. Being bullied only makes them stronger if we do nothing. I do not support violence. But I do suggest you do your homework, I will stand my ground.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I will stand my ground

For the average lowlife up to minor no-good stuff, a visible adult with a phone in hand giving them a low wattage stink eye is enough to send them looking for easier pickings.

We aren't talking about starting WW3 just yet...

 

[BLB68]

I'm not sure "Lethal Threat" is a forum handle I'd want trotted out in court if I "stood my ground."

 

[shockwave]

Probably a good idea to have called. Better two calls to 911 than none.

Yes. If you are made aware of a crime in progress, call it in. And unless you are on neighborhood watch duty, intervening in a case like this one is probably a bad idea.

While it's unfortunate that your neighbor had guns stolen, a safe doesn't have to be a "big-ticket" item. He should have done due diligence and not left them lying around accessible to casual theft. Not blaming the victim here - never. Only pointing out that this sort of thing can be prevented without a great deal of trouble.

 

[swampcrawler]

Thanks guys. I learned a ton from this thread. And have actually already had a chance to use it to some degree.

Pulled into my neighborhood the other day and there was an unknown vehicle and an unknown woman, teenage girl and very young boy milling around a vacant, forsale home. I casually made the loop an took down their plate number and got a good look at the people. Pulled into my driveway. From there I could see them to some extent and watch. Police were called, my information was given, and as we were talking to police, a cruiser pulled up to the people in question. (no the response wasn't that fast, there had been an alarm set off)

It didn't look like much came of it. Cruiser left and the car left. But it was nice to feel like the little situation was actually handled properly.

(no I didn't think a woman and two kids posed a threat, but they looked alot like someone scouting or playing lookout)

 

[ares338]

Someone should have had a gun safe. That way no on would have walked out with two handguns and can now harm someone else. The police should have been called the first thing and NO...do not get out and intervene. You're not the police. Just be a good witness and save yourself a lot of grief.