Why didn't the police check my backyard after someone tried to open my door?

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around a participant's unsettling experience when someone attempted to open their front door, leading to feelings of fear and disappointment regarding the police response. Various participants share their reactions and personal experiences related to similar situations.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes feeling extremely frightened when someone shook their front doorknob and expresses frustration that the police did not check their backyard or knock on their door after the incident.
  • Another participant empathizes with the initial fear and acknowledges that the participant's reaction to pound on the door was understandable.
  • Several users mention that making noise, like pounding on the door, could deter potential intruders and that it was a reasonable response given the circumstances.
  • One participant shares a similar past experience where they made noise to scare off someone trying to enter their home, reinforcing the idea that being proactive can be effective.
  • Another participant reflects on their own cautious behavior of keeping doors locked during the day, highlighting a shared concern for safety among participants.
  • One participant recounts a situation where they were sent into their home alone by police after an alarm went off, expressing disbelief at the lack of precaution taken by the officer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the initial reaction to make noise was appropriate, but there is no clear consensus on the adequacy of the police response, with some expressing disappointment and others sharing their own experiences with law enforcement.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences related to home security and safety concerns, with participants sharing anecdotes that highlight their feelings of vulnerability and the importance of being vigilant.

Who May Find This Useful

This thread may be of interest to those in the consultant community who have experienced similar situations or are looking to share their own safety experiences and concerns.

kristenlee
Messages
127
I am totally freaked out. Some one just shook my front doorknob. I was layin on the couch and suddenly my front door started know started shaking, someone was trying to open my front door. I freaked, jumped up and ran to my front door and just pounded on it with my fist in an effort scare the person away (not sure if that was the smartest thing to do.) then I looked out the peep hole and saw someone running across my front lawn. Then I called 911 and they sent someone out to look around and check the neighborhood. So then the officer checked the neighborhood with the spotlight and then CALLED me, and said they didn't see anyone and that I must have scared them away by pounding on the door. My question is why the bleep did they not come knock on my door and check on me and why did they not check my back yard :mad: ?? In order to check my back yard they would of had to come thru my house unless they can jump and 8foot fence, my gates have locks on them so they couldn't of just opened them. Guess since they didn't see anyone walking around it wasn't worth looking a little closer for someone hiding, or knock on my door and make sure I was ok.

Ok I am done venting. Sorry just got really spooked. Hopefully I can sleep now, but somehow I think in will be a sleepless night for me. I am going to keep my baseball bat by my side.


Kristen
 
Oh my gosh!!! That would completely freak me out too!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Do you all think it was the right thing for me to do pound the door, the more I think about the more I think it was a stupid thing to do. I just kinda snapped when the door knob started shaking
 
It made him run so I don't think it was a terrible thing. If he was trying to rob you, now he knows you're on guard AND you called the cops. Now you're too dangerous a target.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
ok, thanks for making me feel better. I was just so dissapointed w/the police. They did tell me to check and make sure all my doors and window were locked. well, no duh. ok I am calmed down a little more and am going to try and sleep
 
"You gotta play it like you're alone out there. You gotta play it like there are no police. You are responsible for yourself to yourself ... and you gotta have a plan."
--J.J. Bittenbinder
You absolutely did the right thing by pounding on the door. The goof will think twice about coming back to you - he's going to find someone who is not as tough a target!See J.J.'s site for more.
 
That is very scary. I don't think you did the wrong thing. At least you didn't open the door. I probably would have just stayed on the coach, frozen. OR, I would have run upstairs and shook my DH awake. FREAKY!
 
Uh! How scary!

I think you did the right thing- whoever it was will steer clear of you since you were so aware.

They were probably looking around for unlocked doors to go in. I think I would have peed my pants!
 
Kristen -- I'm glad you're ok. I'm thankful for my dog right now. He's a softie with us but VERY protective. No one can get up our front stairs without him jumping into the front window and going ballistic to warn us.

KG -- that guy looks like he's on the cover of my cough drops... that moustache rocks!

He's pretty flippin' cool though :) His name totally matches his look.

Sorry Jean Jonas -- I have a new hero.

Ok -- I lie.. I still want to be Jean when I grow up!!!!
 
How scary! This brings back memories for me. When I was in high school I was home sick one day - usually no one would be home in our family. I got up out of bed to use the rest room and heard what sounded like an electric drill by our front door. Yes, I think someone was trying to get into our house!! I did something similar to you - I started making noise. I can't remember what I did. I think I may have turned the stereo on real loud. At any rate, it scared him/her/them away. I was stupid and didn't call the police. We never had any problems again.

I always lock my doors even during the day. My extended family thinks I'm crazy, but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Stay safe!
 
yummybytes said:
Kristen -- I'm glad you're ok. I'm thankful for my dog right now. He's a softie with us but VERY protective. No one can get up our front stairs without him jumping into the front window and going ballistic to warn us.

KG -- that guy looks like he's on the cover of my cough drops... that moustache rocks!

He's pretty flippin' cool though :) His name totally matches his look.

Sorry Jean Jonas -- I have a new hero.

Ok -- I lie.. I still want to be Jean when I grow up!!!!
He's tall, too, you should hear him talk.

In fact, you SHOULD hear him talk.

"I've been throwing goofs up against the wall for 23 years and I have yet to find a Mensa card." Ya gotta love someone like that!
 
pampchefrhondab said:
How scary! This brings back memories for me. When I was in high school I was home sick one day - usually no one would be home in our family. I got up out of bed to use the rest room and heard what sounded like an electric drill by our front door. Yes, I think someone was trying to get into our house!! I did something similar to you - I started making noise. I can't remember what I did. I think I may have turned the stereo on real loud. At any rate, it scared him/her/them away. I was stupid and didn't call the police. We never had any problems again.

I always lock my doors even during the day. My extended family thinks I'm crazy, but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

Stay safe!

I too keep the doors locked during the day, and yes, my hubby thinks I'm nuts too. I live in a small town, but that doesn't mean crime doesn't happen there too. Years ago (20 or more) some mentally challenged man walked right into my Grandparents house and sat down and wouldn't leave. My Grandma was able to sneak out the back door and come to our house to use the phone. The cops came and took him away. I've locked my doors ever since. He didn't hurt anyone, and I don't think he had any intentions of doing so, it was just kind of creepy. We lived back a dead end road, and most of the people that lived on that road at the time were all related. I have no idea how he even got there. He didn't have a car.

I think you did the right thing by making noise. What if you had taken the time to call the police first, and he managed to get in? You could have been hurt!! :eek:
 
Kristen, glad you're okay... hopefully tonight will be a better night.

I was at the grocery store one day and came home to 2 police cars in my driveway. I pulled in a little nervous and they said that they had been notified because my house alarm had gone off. One police car left after announcing, "the perimeter is secure." The other one stayed with one cop in it and he was writing up his report. Then he said to me, (I just about died), "Why don't you go in and check things out and let me know if everything is okay." WHAT??? He's the one with the gun and he sent me (110 lbs) into the house ALONE to see. It ended up to be a window I left open and the blinds were swining from the breeze and set the motion detector off. Anyway, I was floored that he sent me in alone. Thank goodness no one was in the house!!!!
 
"Snakes. Why do they have to be snakes?""Asps. Very dangerous, Indy. You go first."
 
"Ensign, you're on the away team. Go check for signs of intelligent life."
 
None on this site. Energize.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn't the police check my backyard after someone tried to open my door?

There could be several reasons for this. Police prioritize their response based on the perceived level of threat and available resources. If they assessed that there was no immediate danger or if the situation was resolved quickly, they may not have felt it necessary to search your backyard.

Did I need to request that the police check my backyard?

Yes, if you feel that your backyard may hold important evidence or if you believe the situation warrants a more thorough investigation, it's advisable to communicate this to the responding officers. They may not automatically check every area unless specifically requested or if they have probable cause.

What should I do if I feel unsafe after someone tried to open my door?

If you feel unsafe, it's important to take precautions. Consider contacting the police again to express your concerns, and ask for increased patrols in your area. Additionally, you might want to enhance your home security, such as installing cameras or better locks.

Can I file a complaint if the police didn't check my backyard?

Yes, you can file a complaint with the police department if you believe that the officers did not follow proper procedures. It's helpful to provide specific details about the incident and your concerns to ensure your complaint is taken seriously.

What can I do to prevent future incidents like this?

To prevent future incidents, consider improving your home security measures, such as installing motion sensor lights, security cameras, and a robust alarm system. Additionally, getting to know your neighbors and forming a neighborhood watch can help increase vigilance in your area.

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