You’d think that with me being such a chicken, I’d close my blinds at dark but I don’t. When we’re sitting in our upstairs family room, someone could look through the dining room window on the front side of the house and see almost straight into the family room. I could close these shutters but I never do. There are no houses directly across the street or on either side of the empty lot across the street.
If someone were to walk up on the back deck, they would see right in through these windows. I also never close these blinds. There’s no one behind us . . just open land and some woods.
But, here’s the front door. Not a whole lot I can do about covering these windows. I could put up some kind of opaque tri-fold type screen at night and I’ve thought about that but never have bought one. If someone walks up to the front door, they’re looking smack dab straight into the family room, at the sofa and recliners.
So, tonight Vince went to bed. I’m sitting on the sofa knitting. Our doorbell never rings .. unless it’s the UPS man. At 11:40 p.m., the doorbell rings! I turned on the outside light but because all the inside lights were on, I couldn’t see who was out there. I went running down the hall to wake Vince up but the doorbell had already awakened him. I was saying “don’t open the door!” and Vince opened the door. It was some young man, not sure if he was drunk or on drugs but he didn’t seem quite with it. He kept saying “Sorry man! Sorry man!” Then he said he needed to use the phone. Vince went and got the phone. The kid said his car broke down. I asked him where his car was because I couldn’t see a car. He said it was about 7 blocks down the road. Huh? Why did you come to my house? I didn’t say that but I was thinking about it. He said he had to walk 7 blocks to find a house with lights on. I’m not sure I believe that but we definitely had lights on. So, he calls his friend and instead of saying .. my car broke down, come get me. He said “Hey, I need help BAD! Can you come get me?” Then he didn’t have a clue where he was. Vince was trying to tell him . . right over there is the corner of this and that street. Have them pick you up there. The kid couldn’t figure out where he was in relation to the main street. He finally told the guy what Vince said and we came back in and he left.
Ten minute later, “Chris” calls and wants to talk to “Lee”. Is Lee the guy needing a ride? Yes. He isn’t here . . he just used our phone and walked on.”
Poor kid. I wonder if someone ever came to pick him up. I thought we should call the police but Vince didn’t think we should so we didn’t.
If I’d have been here by myself, I would have had a heart attack! I think of how many times I go outside alone with Speck at midnight. I always think if someone were to get me, no one would know I’m gone til morning.” I’ll be more careful for a while.
Judy L.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Never ever open the door!! Get one of those chain things an speak around that…there could have been another 10 going around the back or behind the bushes….and imagine if they stole a quilt!!!!!! Tracey
We are a bit like you – the shutters are never closed. The French think we are nuts.
Get a chain on that door asap!
Okay, being kind of practical here, I suggest you arm yourself with a rotary cutter. You know how much damage you could do with that thing before the “bad guys” ever realized what you had?! Here’s another statistic that often pops into my mind–more women are assaulted/raped between the hours of something like 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. than any other time. Kind of weird, huh? Probably because we figure if something bad’s going to happen, it’s going to be at night, and not in the early morning!
Next time call the police. Tell the person through the door that you will help them and call the police. If and I do mean if this kid really needed help then the police are the folks to help him. They can call a tow truck, call parents/friends etc. Let the police handle things like this.
I suggest very strongly that you go to the local police station or at the very least call them and let them know what happened. Let them know that this kid made a phone call from your phone. And that the person called you back.
Ask if there are any suggestions that they have. I’d rather err on the side of caution here and be proactive rather than reactive some time later.
Teri
I’m guilty of watching too much Court TV and some felons choose their victims by them not closing their curtains/shades at night. I agree that you need a speaker installed next to your door, so you can talk to the people outside w/o opening your doors. That’s one reason why I’ll *never* live deep in the country. I like to see my neighbors and have them living close enough to hear me if I scream………
Please consider closing your blinds at dark. Yes, they can see through your front door but not nearly as much as through your windows. And please consider using a single lamp when up sewing/knitting. I think I remember that you live in a small town, right? A call to the police might not hurt. If the young man was not acting right, could he have been involved in some kind of accident or criminal activity?
Your call might identify a criminal.
Judy, you’ve got to be more careful! You HAVE to close those blinds and shutters at night. When we were first married, I walked into the bedroom at night and saw a man looking in the window. He had pulled our picnic table’s bench over for a good look. I have been careful ever since. This kid’s story sounds fishy to me. Who doesn’t have a cell phone in this day and age. How could he not know where he was and why was he there? Keep in mind he could have been “casing” your house and seeing if you had a big dog/big husband(!). I’d definitely run this by the police.
I had a weird thing happen to me a few years ago, but it was in broad daylight. We live 500′ off the road and our FENCED property is 300′ wide. The neighbors on each side live right up at the road.
So, about 3 in the afternoon the doorbell rings which is odd since our gate is closed. I looked through the window and saw a young man standing there with a little trickle of blood running down his face and he says “Someone shot me, let me in.” I didn’t believe him. Why did he choose MY house so far off the road when next door he would not have to jump a fence or run 500′ to their door??? And, I expected more blood from a gunshot wound. I was sure he had friends waiting out of sight around the corner of my house to rush the door when I opened it. I called 911 and reported that he said he had been shot, etc… They said DO NOT LET HIM IN YOUR HOUSE. So he waited on the porch. Soon we had 9 sheriff’s vehicles, and a helicoptor circling our property. There were no others waiting, but my family was safe!!
I would definitely be careful letting Speck out at midnight. I agree with the others who said you might have been cased.
Do you have a metal door on the front? You can get (I actually HAVE some you are welcome to) magnetic curtain rods. They just attach to the door/frame with magnets. No need to drill any holes…and you can take them down when ever you like….I have big picture windows that are not covered either. My dogs let me know when there are people nearby. Those DEAR four legged door bells!!!
You are not chicken. You have been given a wake up call to close those curtains. I’ve never closed my curtains out here in the country either, but, since we have our house up for sale, I’m in the process of getting curtians put up so I can close them, especially now that it’s getting dark earlier. I’ve never put curtains up in my sunroom but now that we have moved the tv in there, we are in there at night, so I’m getting curtains to put up. Also, call the police and report the incident. It might be an ongoing pattern that they can stop or since it’s a small town, they may know the kid and be able to get him help.
It reminds me of something that happened at my Dad’s home last Sunday morning. I was in Louisiana helping with some family business. I was up early getting ready for Sunday Mass when the door bell rang. I looked out and saw a white truck. I didn’t recognize it. I looked out the curtain on the door, I didn’t see anyone. There was no way I was opening the door even if it was broad daylight. I haven’t lived in my hometown for 20 years. Well, the telephone rang. It was one of my cousins. He was outside. I had not seen him in 8 years. We had a great visit. But there was no way I was opening the door when I didn’t know who was there.
You know Keith travels A LOT – right? We live downtown Minneapolis and I’m still nervous when I take Chesty out after dark. During the day he goes across the street or we walk to the park but at night, after dark we go out the front of the building which is better lit and has more traffic – both foot and car so I feel safer.
It’s times like that when I wonder wouldn’t it be nice to have a scary dog when I’m walking him at night rather than a little white fuffy one!