May have dodged a bullet

Recently we had someone knocking and ringing the doorbell around 11:00 pm. Dan was sleeping I was watching TV in a spare room. At first I went to take a look on the black and white monitor we have set up to view who is on the other side of the front door. I woke Dan and we watched until this young man walked off. Dan went back to bed, myself not feeling that comfortable watched the monitor to see if he returned.
We both heard little noises, Dan came back to the monitor then to the bedroom. I went to the other room and heard what sounded like someone was trying to break the bedroom window and Dan yelling, "get outta here, I'm calling 911.
There were two people just coming into the back yard when he saw them, dressed in black wearing hoodies. They left in a real hurry, the police came with K9 and looked around. Being they never got in, stole anything and we both were seemingly conscious they decided no report was necessary. I told the officer what bothered me the most was what if I had opened that door, would I have had a gun pointed at me forcing their way in?
Turns out probably so. In the paper they caught three hispanic young men in our area doing home invasions, one carrying a 38. All I can say is WHEW!!!

 

Glad you are both okay. Pretty scary stuff. Thank goodness you weren’t alone at the time.

 

This whole town is high crime so doubt it. We moved here because it was so affordable, there's always a drawback, I figured it was weather (hot).

Well come to think of it maybe they did being they caught them (if indeed it's the same ones)

 

Pretty scary darlene. I got up one night to get some water. I happened to look out the kitchen window and saw a couple of girls on my front lawn. Then I heard a door slam and a guy was walking away from my van and the three of them left. I called 911 and told them where I was, what street these kids were on, what they were wearing, and what direction they were headed. 911 just passed on my address to the cops so he showed up fairly quickly at my house. He got out of his car and began to ask me questions. He seemed a bit confused, like he'd worked too many night shifts. I told him what I told 911, then noticed his car was rolling backwards (he had put it in reverse instead of park). At this point another cop arrived and the first car was inching towards the second car. I said to the cop "Your car his leaving." He ignored me and continued to ask questions. I ran to his car and jumped in and put it in park. He ran over, pulled open the door, and said "What do you think you're doing?" I told him again but he didn't seem to believe me. I said to him, "Do you think I called you here so I could steal your car?" Then I turned to the woman driving the other cop car and asked her if she had seen what was happening. She nodded her head, laughing.
Anyway they never got the kids, because too much time was wasted at my house, but because we keep nothing in our cars, nothing was stolen. Also the odds of someone carrying a gun here is next to zero, but I'm still not gonna confront a thief myself if I don't have to.

 

Isn't that something, your story sounds familiar, has it been on one of those video shows?

 

I wish I'd had a camera rolling. I may have posted the story here before, I can't remember.
Edit. I found it. http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=121429

 

How frightening Darlene...thankfully you've taken proper security and safety precautions!

Is that a common occurrence in your district? If it is, then your police should have patrol cars that regularly cruise the area.

 

Sounds like the Keystone Cops...thankfully you were safe.

 

Real scary thing Darlene glad you and Dan are OK it could have been serious.

we had a break in a few years back but they only took cash and credit cards not much chance here of burglers going armed but it's not nice to know someone was in your house when your in bed.

 

It's the whole town, it's spread out willy nilly with no apperant direction, poor planning.
Every day, shootings, stabings, car wrecks, shoot outs with police, pure craziness.

 

you were home when it happened?

 

Oh, Ok, LOL I even responded at the time. Weak brain cells rolleyes

 

Glad you guys are OK and glad they caught what may have been the guys. And again, time to think about a Rotweiler or Dobie. Or maybe a cute little ankle biter. (They do make great watch dogs, even if that can't protect you.) LOL

 

Dan has this place flashing and beeping, all we need now is a gun tower. roflmao

 

I know, thank you, my stomach dips when I think of what they might have done. You know anyone who breaks in knowing someone is home is willing to hurt you, not just simply robbery.
Maybe not answering made them think no one was home.
A woman across the street said their bell rang about the same time, There are teens there so she thought it was for them so she yelled, " everyones in bed, go away".

 

Thats cute

 

Wow! Darlene, we are lucky down here...whenever we have any persons/crims causing such an incident any where here (not a common occurrence), there's public outrage to have it quelled and lots of pressure for law enforcement.

I kinda suspect those kids were opportunists looking for quick money to fund a drug habit.

Whatever, pretty scary stuff...again, so glad you're safe.

 

I live in rural area but that story is forcing me to have a rethink on my open door policy Darlene. If anything happens it could be as long as 1/2 hour before anyone shows up. This isn't Cali but we have the drug addicts and other idiots too, sadly enough. I keep an axe handy near the door but that's no competition for a gun.

 

Thank you again. This town is not the norm, when we first arrived here I thought it was nostalgic, now I see it like entering the twilight zone.
It isn't like this elsewhere in california. For one they have had the same district attorney for 30 years.

 

Glad you are ok Darlene. Scary stuff! I am lucky, more likely to encounter a deer or stray dog where I live. Not too sure about the hawks and crows...

That camera is a great thing for you to have. Now just mount an evil looking paintball gun to it, and make the camera controlled by your PC, and you can have your own FPS!

E

 

Thats funny you mentioning paintball gun, so did Dan, told him the neighbors might object. Colorful neighborhood LOL

 

I think I prefer something where I can be more then a handle away. Was considering a taser but they cost.
1/2 could be the response time anywhere. Thats another drawback here, people had houses burn to the ground before the fire dept showed up.

 

Yep we never heard a thing.

what they do is use a portable drill and drill out the lock.

5 houses were done in one night but i now have security locks on the inside of all doors and windows it cost a fortune but at least we have had no more problems.

 

So glad you are ok, Darlene! I can't even begin to imagine how terrifying this must be!

 

Couldn't think of my address talking to 911 operator.

 

That late at night, I don't open the door unarmed. On the other hand, I have four big dogs.

 

OMG Darlene...you were that stressed! That's awful. Thank God you had those security cameras...wise investment. Not sure if you also have this installed as well, but here movement/body heat sensor lighting is popular and very effective. As soon as a person comes within a certain perimeter of a property, lights turn on...proves an effective deterrent

 

Dogs are the best deterrent!

I have a friend who doesn't own a dog, but has a recording of an German Shepherd that barks as soon anyone comes within sensor distance. He has even ensured the recorded barking varies so one doesn't notice a repeated sound. Sounds great...first time I heard it, I was surprised to hear such ferocious dogs inside my friend's house

 

We got all that stuff when we first moved here. Rented a place over the internet and not knowing anything about the town we ended up in a bad section. It's the type of area where you hear someone fighting and yelling but upon looking out you see they're all alone. :foolish
We had a couple things stolen while moving in, sun shade on the truck, string of rope lights, minor stuff, most likely kids.
Besides that the landlord told us to chase off people who went through the trash dumpster. They mostly looked for cans although once in a while you would see them pocket a piece of paper, (not from us) we shred everything.
They must have improved the dog barking sound, it used to be, bark,bark,bark
then repeat and monotone I told Dan to go to the shooting range and pick up a used target one that has the strategic parts shot away, we'll put it on the side gate they climbed over.

 

Not sure putting a target out is such a good idea...imho, it seems more like a challenge.

It really frightens me the way there is allowance for guns over there. At the risk of being shouted down, I still am very glad that we have such strict gun laws here.

 

Yep, and the number of violent crimes went up last I heard, because the people who don't obey laws didn't turn them in. Or is this a myth?

 

It was a joke actually.
I would say though hang on for the rebuttal on gun control

 

I beleive it, people are scared to point fingers. Then some have codes (never involve the police)

 

Bill not sure if you directed the above to me. In Australia, increase of violent crime statistics are not due to guns. When looking at types of weapons used for violent crimes, guns rank roughly around 18%! Whereas, sharp instruments is around 40% hands and feet is around 30% and other around 15%.

Here, violent crimes are mainly in the area of assault, sexual assault, robbery and domestic violence.

 

Glad to hear that you are both o.k. Darlene. A scary experience for sure. Hopefully one that will not be repeated.