Weird knock on the door this morning.

[etrain16]

We're on the edge of rural, on a cul-de-sac, so we don't get a lot of door-to-door traffic, which I'm glad for. I don't post signs, though I've thought about it. I don't appreciate door knockers, whether they are for sales, charities, services, surveys, whatever. Our friends and family all know that we're not 'drop in' folks, so they don't do it. That means any knock at the door is either the UPS guy (he's okay) or someone wanting my money or my vote. If it's way early or way late, my response will be far more intimidating than it will during the day. Outside of the "polite" hours IronMonster noted above, then I assume it's either an emergency, or you're a threat.

If you read what Massad Ayoob has to say about answering your door, it might change how you do things. His video is kind of an eye opener - here is a copy of the video, though it's not posted by Mass himself:

 

[The Heretic]

Living a quarter mile down a private road off a back country road which is off another back country road which is off a mountain road has its advantages.

Only one time did unwelcome visitors knock on my door; Jehovah Witnesses.

In the almost 3 years I have lived here, I have had all of my deliveries left at my mailbox out by the road or sometimes they leave it on my porch; there is a little shelter at my mailbox. I order stuff from Amazon frequently so there are boxes out there several times a month. Not once have I had anybody steal anything.

But I am slowly getting around to setting up an infrared driveway alarm to know when someone drives in - the house is too well insulated for me to hear anything outside if the windows are not open. Also, I plan to add security cams that let me know when they see something moving.

I do have motion detector lights outside - but I am adding more and better lights.

The neighbor's dogs bark at any strangers, but they aren't always outside. When I retire I plan to get a dog - hopefully one that is a good watchdog.

The OP; definitely either someone casing the house, or someone who is as crazy as my ex-wife (she would try to get anyone to do anything for her, thinking nothing of how much of an inconvenience it is - she once asked my daughter to make a 2 hour round trip to take her garbage out).

 

[Member 5605]

Wow.

I hope that never happens Here. I hope to never use my security.

 

[Stomper]

I'm so unfriendly my back door doesn't even have a knob on it. When closed it can't be opened from outside. And since it opens out be a good job to open it out. On the inside I have 4 HD barrel locks protected by a steel reinforced jam and blast deflector plates. It also enters into a Free Fire Zone as it accesses a Laundry and storage room that has a locked door to the main house. I believe in compartmentalization as a defense strategy must be from my time in the Navy.

.... And that just inside the AWESOME Willys Jeep he's building, too!

 

[Medic!]

Consider redirection as a tool?

 

[Member 5605]

By the way; this is a good time to go over training again with wife and kids.

A friendly reminder of house protocol.

 

[45alive]

Above my dogs head. Taped to the window I also have a 8-1/2''x11'' sign.
If people come to the door. I stand at the window next to the door and point at the sign.

If they make me open the door. I tell them to learn to read. And to hit the road!

The sign reads:
View attachment 249312

Y a, If they can't read the sign, speak to them in 12GAUGE !

 

[Stomper]

I have found that "ching-ching" IS the universal language no matter where you go, and no matter the literacy level you're dealing with.

 

[BaySailor]

I like not living in the city more and more. No one ever comes to my door unannounced except my mom. That's annoying enough.

 

[Oregonhunter5]

Next time answer the door naked.
Works great.

 

[bolus]

I dont answer the door anymore unless someone has called ahead. I did get a nice camera though that does motion tracking video and stills. Here is the comcast guy on his biweekly visit to ignore my "no soliciting sign" ( I edited most of his face out). He usually waves into the camera to try and get me to answer the door.

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

I've been toying with the idea of re doing my porch as well just like you are talking about Mark, I also wouldn't mind putting up security bars on all my windows but my wife sais we will look stupid as no one else has them. I told her we wont look stupid when the neighbors get robbed and we don't. Im still working on it. I may have to buy her some jewelry to make the deal, but its worth it to me.

Or at least the back and sides of the house.
I think its a good idea. Makes your house a hard target. Thieves hate hard targets.

 

[Stomper]

I dont answer the door anymore unless someone has called ahead. I did get a nice camera though that does motion tracking video and stills. Here is the comcast guy on his biweekly visit to ignore my "no soliciting sign" ( I edited most of his face out). He usually waves into the camera to try and get me to answer the door.

View attachment 249335

Where's the garden gnomes to fend off the walk-in troll?

 

[The Heretic]

I dont answer the door anymore unless someone has called ahead. I did get a nice camera though that does motion tracking video and stills. Here is the comcast guy on his biweekly visit to ignore my "no soliciting sign" ( I edited most of his face out). He usually waves into the camera to try and get me to answer the door.

View attachment 249335

Put up a no trespassing sign.

Then inform him that if he comes onto your property again you will call the cops. Then escort him off your property. Then complain to his employer.

Then if he comes back, call the police.

 

[bolus]

Where's the garden gnomes to fend off the walk-in troll?

This guy is supposed to do that but he has yet to scare off any solicitors

 

[bolus]

We're on the edge of rural, on a cul-de-sac, so we don't get a lot of door-to-door traffic, which I'm glad for. I don't post signs, though I've thought about it. I don't appreciate door knockers, whether they are for sales, charities, services, surveys, whatever. Our friends and family all know that we're not 'drop in' folks, so they don't do it. That means any knock at the door is either the UPS guy (he's okay) or someone wanting my money or my vote. If it's way early or way late, my response will be far more intimidating than it will during the day. Outside of the "polite" hours IronMonster noted above, then I assume it's either an emergency, or you're a threat.

If you read what Massad Ayoob has to say about answering your door, it might change how you do things. His video is kind of an eye opener - here is a copy of the video, though it's not posted by Mass himself:

And make sure your door is made of anything other than cardboard (starts at :45)

 

[Just Jim]

Allways answer the door with a gun in my strong hand holding a newspaper under the thumb so you can't see the gun. It far too easy for someone to get the drop on you and just push their way in. With a gun in your hand hidden with the newspaper you have the drop on them.

Side benefit is if it's just a neighbor or a salesman they never see the gun, down at your side it draws no attention.

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

Where's the garden gnomes to fend off the walk-in troll?

 

[Member 5605]

Oh look, two trolls holding AK47's.

(Think back to the media guide to firearms for the joke)

 

[Certaindeaf]

Or at least the back and sides of the house.
I think its a good idea. Makes your house a hard target. Thieves hate hard targets.

Very true. However, many psychotic murderers just knock on the front door in the hopes that someone will open it.
Oh, you've got a gun in your hand? Well, he probably does too. There's no need to open the door.