Am I Paranoid for Finding This Suspicious?

wilcam47 · Jul 15, 2011

here's a tip...if you answer/open the door, get some shoes on...you can crack the door just enough to see the perp...im talking maybe 1/2" put your foot down in butted up against the door. make sure theres nothing slippery there. so your shoe gets a good foot hold. I dont care how big the guy is he wont be able to get the door open. this would give you enough time to figure out if he's a threat or not without revealing anything. of course make sure you are armed..

faze · Jul 15, 2011

wilcam47 said:
here's a tip...if you answer/open the door, get some shoes on...you can crack the door just enough to see the perp...im talking maybe 1/2" put your foot down in butted up against the door. make sure theres nothing slippery there. so your shoe gets a good foot hold. I dont care how big the guy is he wont be able to get the door open. this would give you enough time to figure out if he's a threat or not without revealing anything. of course make sure you are armed..

Good point...

Mason-Dixon Baseball · Jul 15, 2011

lx1x said:
Or like a normal person would do is to ask who is it while the door is closed.

or call your mom next time and see what she says..... :sad20:

jaypark · Jul 15, 2011

or call your mom next time and see what she says

or fill one of these out

http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/legalfiles/gates_letter_sept09/attach_1.pdf

faze · Jul 15, 2011

jaypark said:
or fill one of these out

KMK1862 · Jul 15, 2011

faze said:
Light rail is Hunt Valley, which somehow is still nice. Owings Mills mall? People get robbed in the parking lot during the day.

I don't know, I have friends who live in Hunt Valley and I work in Owings Mills. A lot of the businesses in Hunt Valley noticed an increase in crime when the Light Rail moved out that way. This is unconfirmed, but a friend told me that the Hunt Valley Wal-Mart (now moved to Cockeysville/Timonium) had one of the highest loss rates (read shoplifting) in the country.

As far as OM goes, I've worked a few nights and weekends and I've never felt threatened when I ran out for a snack. I did see a verbal argument at the Royal Farm on Red Run once that made me chuckle. Someone used "Yo moma" in the argument. I was trying to keep a straight face. That being said it's a large area so you never know. Crime can happen anytime at anyplace so it's always best to be aware and be prepared.

oldman12 · Jul 15, 2011

Owings Mills, Randallstown, Shit holes, worked there for 2 years.

JOBU · Jul 15, 2011

faze said:
He could have rushed me, he had a good 75lbs on me. Better to keep the element out than let it in, right? The element is bad for my health.

You had .45 on him. I'm not a gambling man, but if I was I'd bet on you winning.

MDFF2008 · Jul 16, 2011

I recommend a door chain as well. It could provide valuable seconds to draw your weapon.

I would have asked them what they wanted with the door closed. I also bring two guns with me, since I have revolvers, I bring my smaller one for FPF.

As for Hunt Valley, yes, I've read the same thing. The light rail was supposed to promote inner city people getting jobs up there, or city livers going up their to shop. It failed miserably, with the street trash finding new grounds to loot.

I believe though when Wegmans moved in, that really launched the clean up. It's a fairly nice place now.

INMY01TA · Jul 20, 2011

I go to the bay window on the 2nd floor which overlooks the front door downstairs. If they just ring the bell I usually ignore them. If they pound or bang on my door I'll open the window and ask "Can I help you?" The tone of my voice dependandt on the level of banging.

booker · Jul 20, 2011

Considering nothing happened, what would you tell the police? There's a scary man knocking on my door? Yeah, they'll get right on it. Now if you observed him going through your building or neighborhood, knocking on doors or looking through windows, that's another story.

No fault getting your firearm ready. I think you would have been better to have answered through the door without unlocking it, loudly say something like "Who is it?" And basically regardless of what they said, reply with a simple "No thank you" or "Sorry I can't help you." Then if they don't leave, you have reason to call police.

By not answering, you've given the impression that the apartment might be vacant during the evening hours. Burglars will often perform this type of recon ("case the joint") to find the best, most lucrative targets. If the person had criminal intent, they may return expecting an empty unit.

While chains on doors are nice, they don't provide much security as most are relatively easy to defeat, either by bolt cutters, a prybar, sturdy screwdriver, or the foot/shoulder of a moderately-sized man.

Regarding using your foot to jam the door that's been opened slightly to speak with the person.. I would advise against it. Too easy for the guy to shove a crowbar or other item into the open slot as soon as you open it. Now you'll never get the door closed, and he's all up in your OODA loop, putting you on the reactionary side of the curve.

faze · Jul 20, 2011

booker said:
Considering nothing happened, what would you tell the police? There's a scary man knocking on my door? Yeah, they'll get right on it. Now if you observed him going through your building or neighborhood, knocking on doors or looking through windows, that's another story.

No fault getting your firearm ready. I think you would have been better to have answered through the door without unlocking it, loudly say something like "Who is it?" And basically regardless of what they said, reply with a simple "No thank you" or "Sorry I can't help you." Then if they don't leave, you have reason to call police.

By not answering, you've given the impression that the apartment might be vacant during the evening hours. Burglars will often perform this type of recon ("case the joint") to find the best, most lucrative targets. If the person had criminal intent, they may return expecting an empty unit.

Yeah we've had casing around here, and I have had no issues making them well aware to not come back.

Regarding the rest, you have very good points... I'll take that into consideration.

booker · Jul 20, 2011

faze said:
Yeah we've had casing around here, and I have had no issues making them well aware to not come back.

Regarding the rest, you have very good points... I'll take that into consideration.

Roger that. Of course it's pretty darn easy for me and anyone else to armchair quarterback it the next day from the comfort of our keyboards. In the end, you gotta do what you feel most comfortable with at the time. If the hair is sticking up on your neck, sometimes not saying anything would be a better decision. Didn't mean to sound pedantic.

Hope it all helps though and stay safe. Perhaps let the landlord know, and ask for some additional exterior lighting to be installed.

faze · Jul 20, 2011

booker said:
Roger that. Of course it's pretty darn easy for me and anyone else to armchair quarterback it the next day from the comfort of our keyboards. In the end, you gotta do what you feel most comfortable with at the time. If the hair is sticking up on your neck, sometimes not saying anything would be a better decision. Didn't mean to sound pedantic.

Hope it all helps though and stay safe. Perhaps let the landlord know, and ask for some additional exterior lighting to be installed.

Exterior lighting is there, and to be honest, the property management doesn't give a rat's ass about anybody after signing the contract. I've threatened legal action on them to keep people from smoking in the halls, that's the only way I get things done around this dumpy ass place.

Pale Ryder · Jul 21, 2011

He probably mistook your apt. for the place he was told to go and get the drugs from. Happens to the cops too from time to time.

You did good, but keep the 45 C&L unless you have kids.

Sirex · Jul 21, 2011

Take 1 black cat fiirecracker. Light fuse, and drop into metal coffee can. After bang, scream like you just accidentally shot yourself.

I keed, I keed.

tdt91 · Jul 21, 2011

Sirex said:
Take 1 black cat fiirecracker. Light fuse, and drop into metal coffee can. After bang, scream like you just accidentally shot yourself.

I keed, I keed.

booker · Jul 22, 2011

Not to hijack the thread, but...

...what if the guy returns, or you see him again? (that's for anyone to respond to)

Did you get a good look at the guy? Are you on good terms with any of your neighbors? Informal neighborhood watch (just having people be on alert) can do a lot.

While it does sound paranoid, I'd make a bit of an effort to look at my daily routine, when I come and go, what I have with me when I do, etc, and try to mix it up a little bit. If you are being watched and evaluated for burglary, just modifying your hours here and there could be enough of a deterrant.

Other simple things to make yourself a poor target; if you have a nice wrist watch, rings, etc, put them in your pocket when you come and go. Don't leave anything of value or indicative of value in your car. Get a timer for your interior lights and keep the shades drawn. Might even put the stereo or television on a timer once in a while. Nothing new or brilliant here I know, just putting ideas out there.

I don't know if you use Facebook, twitter, etc.. but certainly don't announce any trips, vacations, or "check in" at various locations. Criminals have and do stalk victims by open source and social networking.

On the other side of things, I'd take steps to protect yourself in the event of a break-in. Take photos of any high-value items you have; of the item and the serial number, if you can, or write the SNs down. Put it in an web-based email and send it to yourself, so it'll be there if you ever need it. Scanned receipts for big ticket items will help prove their value if that time comes. Get some renter's insurance (it's cheap) and include any high-value items so if you do get hit, at least the recovery will be a bit easier. Perhaps take out a safety deposit box for your important personal documents and any valuables.

And finally.. is your gun locked up when you're not home?

jaypark · Jul 22, 2011

Take 1 black cat fiirecracker. Light fuse, and drop into metal coffee can. After bang, scream like you just accidentally shot yourself.

great idea... gonna try it out today

what if the guy returns, or you see him again? (that's for anyone to respond to)

if it bleeds we can kill it

tzoid · Jul 22, 2011

I swear I read this same story somewhere else....or maybe here. :crazy:

If anyone was Pounding on my door I would arm myself exit through my patio door and Surprize the Mutha F'R With a friendly....WTF is your Problem Mutha F'R......

That would get me all the answers I need before we deal with the Idiot Pounding on my Door. :innocent0

Am I Paranoid for Finding This Suspicious?

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