Strange Knocks at the Door.

[stevemis]

Ok, time to chime in. You're being cased. That's all there is to it.

I've heard about companies like this on the radio (Clark Howard). These people are typically itinerant. If I recall, the companies have vans or buses and they haul the kids around to different areas daily.

What you describe seems to be exactly the opposite. These people should knock, stand around a minute or two and then move on to someone else's house. Obviously, none of your neighbors have had these visitors, so something just isn't right. Additionally, after they work a particular neighborhood, they move on to another. There's no money in doubling back looking for people who weren't home when there are so many other houses out there you haven't tried yet..

This guy is up to no good, plain and simple.

I've seen several recommendations for a gate or a chain across your driveway. I live on a few acres of dense woods and have a long driveway and have considered a gate. I'm personally of the opinion that a gate across a typical rural driveway would only force visitors to park at the road and walk down... how hard is it to walk around the gate when you have lots of unsecured property around it? I'd rather have the car come down the driveway simply because it creates more noise (especially on my gravel!) and gives me the opportunity to learn something about the visitor.

Good luck and stay safe.

 

[fireflyfather]

stevemis: The purpose of the gate and signage isn't to stop the undesireables from entering your property. It's primary function is to make it clear before and after the fact that you DID NOT INVITE THEM. That's called tresspassing, and is a crime in and of itself (enough to get the cops out to take a report at the very least).

In other words, it reinforces the message that you don't want them (so if you DO see someone on your property, they are either desperate or up to no good). Furthermore, should there ever be a need to justify self-defense, there's none of this "they drove up to the wrong house" nonsense. Multiple signs make this even clearer.

If you really don't want a gate, then an announcer is a must, especially as the OP & wife didn't notice the BG until he had already knocked.

 

[tradosaurus]

You need to get a dog pronto!

I would recommend a German Shepherd although I have a Great Dane.

My wife is a stay at home mom and for the last 8 years I have kept my Great Dane as an inside dog.

Even though he is not very aggressive his size coupled with his low growl tends to make people look twice.

A good dog is one of the best deterrents beside a gun.

Good luck.

 

[woof]

This is the end of the thread and we never heard back from the original poster? C'mon!!!

 

[TallPine]

This is the end of the thread and we never heard back from the original poster?

Maybe he's "all tied up right now" and can't come to the computer...?

 

[stevemis]

stevemis: The purpose of the gate and signage isn't to stop the undesireables from entering your property. It's primary function is to make it clear before and after the fact that you DID NOT INVITE THEM. That's called tresspassing, and is a crime in and of itself (enough to get the cops out to take a report at the very least).

In other words, it reinforces the message that you don't want them (so if you DO see someone on your property, they are either desperate or up to no good). Furthermore, should there ever be a need to justify self-defense, there's none of this "they drove up to the wrong house" nonsense. Multiple signs make this even clearer.

If you really don't want a gate, then an announcer is a must, especially as the OP & wife didn't notice the BG until he had already knocked.

I see the value of making people feel "less than invited"... but I'd still rather have someone drive up to the house instead of walk. If they have to drive past a "No Trespassing" sign, that's fine by me.

 

[fireflyfather]

That's fine as far as it goes, but it's AWFUL easy to convince a jury that someone "didn't the poorly placed sign" and that you are a loose cannon.

It's not impossible to do that with a gate, but it's a much harder sell to explain away a cut chain, lack of tire tracks up to the house, etc. A locked/closed gate is an implicit message that you have no business being here without the owner's consent. It's awfully hard to miss, while signs can be explained away, unless your sign is the size of Nebraska.

I see your point, but you also have to figure that a locked gate may also send a message to would-be undesireables that they should move on to easier pickings. It will keep out some percentage of potential BGs. Really slick/determined ones, no, but between keeping some away, and the additional legal defense it affords you I think outweigh the small tactical advantage. It's not a magic pill to stop all threats, but if you are that worried about people sneaking up on your place on foot, get a good dog or three. Anything more than a gate, a sign, a couple of dogs and basics (lights, door locks, a couple firearms) is probably getting a little paranoid if you don't have a specific threat in mind (like the OP does have).

 

[JamisJockey]

sounds like one of thos einstances where shooting off a roudn or two when the knocking starts out a window or a blank inside the house may be a good curative for the probing.
whos gonna rob a place with a nutjob shooting a gun off inside?

Where do these people come from?

 

[TallPine]

If you can't see the "Posted" side coming into my driveway, then you shouldn't be out and about without a german shepherd and a cane

 

[fireflyfather]

Tallpine: Be that as it may, a locked gate is still a stronger message from a Jury's point of view. All someone has to say is "I don't usually read signs", "I wasn't paying attention", "I don't read English", etc. If true, then yes, they are a moron, but juries have a funny way of believing really stupid stuff. A locked gate is pretty universal and emphatic. Do everything you reasonably can to make it obvious you don't want visitors.

 

[skidooman]

any update on this? I am very interested to see if anything new has happened. Im hoping nothing has happened.

 

[blutarsky]

i, too, have been reading this since the beginning -- it's been almost a week (july 17th) since his last post and that post was somewhat troubling. ive been checking back here often hoping to get an update with positive news, but as the days tick by my concern has grown. our thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

what ever happened to the original poster? his last log in was july 20th 2007. hope he is okay.

 

[Matt_W]

I hope all is well, perhaps he has gone away for a few days as I think might have been suggested?

Even my wife keeps asking me about them!

 

[Working Man]

a locked gate is still a stronger message from a Jury's point of view.

I love locked gates. If you are at my door we have an issue. Sadly many
places (in the city) do not allow a gate in the front yard. Thankfully my area
got grandfathered in. But ML should not have such restrictions in his area I
would think.

 

[woof]

I just sent OP an email saying many here were concerned and to please leave us an update.

 

[TallPine]

Tallpine: Be that as it may, a locked gate is still a stronger message from a Jury's point of view. All someone has to say is "I don't usually read signs", "I wasn't paying attention", "I don't read English", etc. If true, then yes, they are a moron, but juries have a funny way of believing really stupid stuff. A locked gate is pretty universal and emphatic. Do everything you reasonably can to make it obvious you don't want visitors.

My signs meet the legal standard for trespassing in Montana.

As far as a jury is concerned, use of deadly force requires something more than trespassing.

We're getting off topic here, and I am partially at fault. Maybe one of us should start a thread on "rural home security" etc ?

And I too am starting to get concerned about Molon Labe

 

[kungfuhippie]

I emailed Therealsteamer since it appears that he has called Molon Labe. Hopefully he will be able to get a hold of him by phone.

 

[kungfuhippie]

I just got this reply from Therealsteamer

Good Morning,
First let me assure you he and his family are doing great. They were shaken up a bit after the events, and have taken to heart the reality of the situation.

The same evening (I believe) if his or my last post to it he sent me an article from his local paper.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Daytime burglaries under investigation

BREANNE PARCELS
Staff Writer

Thursday, July 19, 2007


Local law enforcement officials are hoping for the community's help in
solving a string of daylight burglaries affecting both sides of the
county.

"We've had quite a few break-ins over the last several weeks on the
east side as well as the west side," said Chief Deputy xxxxx of
the xxxxxxx County Sheriff 's Office. "We think this is a new group or
groups targeting isolated residences and even businesses during the
daytime when no one is likely to be home."

xxxxx said some victims have reported that some suspects checked out
the property beforehand to make sure no one would be home and if
spotted by the resident would give an excuse for being there.

"They usually have a story or reason why" that seems plausible, xxxxx
said. "It's tougher during the daylight hours because people are not as
suspicious, but it's crucial for people to really watch and pay
attention to their surroundings. If something seems out of the
ordinary, they should at least call us to check it out."

Sheriff yyyyyy said while rural areas don't have the structure
of neighborhood watch groups that are common in suburban and urban
areas, the importance of being a good neighbor is still key, especially
when the perpetrators of the burglaries are not local. Deskins said
many charges filed for burglaries in the county often involve
individuals from the aaaaaa and bbbbbbb areas.

"Neighbors need to be looking out for each other," he said. "What we've
found is it's not people from down the street breaking into someone's
house that they know, generally."

xxxxx said it's also a good idea for rural residents to practice steps
to keep burglars at bay, such as locking doors and even installing
security systems to detect break-ins or purchasing equipment such as a
safe to protect property.

"I think it's important when you leave home - it doesn't matter how
long you'll be gone, just for a few minutes or for several hours - to
keep your valuables out of sight and secure," xxxxx said.

This made him aware that his home situation is just TOOOO cozy.

<deleted per request>

Take care,

Steamer

 

[therealsteamer]

I spoke to ML last Friday and all is well with him and his family. I also spoke to a mutual friend Saturday night who spent all day Saturday with him, who says the same..

Sometimes it takes drastic events to make us think and act...

Hopefully this can be a learning experience for us all...

 

[FieroCDSP]

Based on that article, our "paranoia" doesn't seem so nutty now, does it? Hope he got some good info to help keep his home and family safe.

 

[Rokyudai]

lots of posts and not enough time to read....perhaps a gamewarden? since it happened twice....probably not a lost hunter unless they are travelling a major game route. just my 2 pesos.

 

[eltorrente]

I had a pushy magazine salesperson come to my place a few years ago.

It was a girl about 19 yrs old working for an organization like this one - selling subscriptions for magazines.

I wasn't interested in getting a subscription to any magazine, and didn't feel like talking to a pushy salesman. This girl was totally HOT though. She asked if she could come in, so naturally I said "yes, c'mon in.."

She got conversational right away when she saw empty beer bottles and started talking about how she liked to party. I'm thinking, hey this girl is alright..

She then says, "Hey, check out my new tatoo!", turns around and lifts her shirt up. She had a lower-back tatoo (tramp-stamp), low riding jeans, and G-string panties which were clearly visible - not to mention the top of her a** was visible!

She then hands me the magazine list and says, "o.k., so which one do you want?" Still under the spell of this evil vixen, I picked Popular Science AND Popular Mechanics, without even thinking twice about it.

She left right after that and I immediately felt weak and feeble, as I had allowed myself to be sold items I didn't want - based on nothing but the strength of her sweet buttocks.

 

[kungfuhippie]

So she was basically selling a peak at her a** and you got a subscription to some magazines too! What are you complaining about?

 

[eltorrente]

So she was basically selling a peak at her a** and you got a subscription to some magazines too! What are you complaining about?

Hmmm - you got a point there.. I think we both were satisfied with the transaction.