Woke up to a man sleeping in my yard

[Anonymous]

This morning I woke up to a man sleeping in my back yard. We back to an alley and have no fence, only arborvitae for privacy. He must have snuck through with his bike because when I opened my blinds at dawn, there he was. I quickly and quietly called the police but my noise or something woke him or got him moving because he was gone before the police got here. I have no camera back there and while I gave a description, and while they couldn’t immediately find him, they told me there was evidence under the trees that perhaps he had been doing this for a while. I had to get my kids to SACC and myself to work, but they said they’d canvass. When I called before heading home they said they’d had no updates. I’m sure I’ll be criticized for saying this but I’m honestly feeling a little bit violated thinking about how he was right outside my window all night? most of the night? most of the morning? and a little scared he will return. I live alone with my kids. I don’t have an alarm system and can’t get one today; I’m not even sure I can get one period, since I rent. I don’t have a gun or anything else. Any ideas how I can feel a little safer tonight?

[Anonymous]

A gun? Good lord.

[Anonymous]

Why do you feel unsafe? He was sleeping - not breaking into your house, setting it on fire, etc. He probably was drunk or high and passed out by mistake.

[Anonymous]

Which neighborhood is this? I’d be freaked out to. Somehow I doubt he’ll be back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you feel unsafe? He was sleeping - not breaking into your house, setting it on fire, etc. He probably was drunk or high and passed out by mistake.

+1

This happened to us. A drunk man thought our house was his. Scary but a mistake.

[Anonymous]

People love to "stealth camp" now, especially for the IG/TikTok likes.

It's a big zoomer thing.

[Anonymous]

Poor man.

[Anonymous]

He's probably been doing this for a while and you never noticed. Just make sure your doors are locked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A gun? Good lord.

Ugh, I didn’t know what people would suggest, so I was just putting it out there to save time, yet here I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People love to "stealth camp" now, especially for the IG/TikTok likes.

It's a big zoomer thing.

No kidding! He was quite young, had Sambas on, and had a nice looking bike. He didn’t seem homeless.

[Anonymous]

Good fences make better neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's probably been doing this for a while and you never noticed. Just make sure your doors are locked.

This is what the police think, based on the evidence they found. (It’s gross and I won’t be sharing it.) I get up later on Fridays, then it was the weekend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good fences make better neighbors.

I’ve been asking my landlord for a while. I’ve even offered to pay, but he wants his trees.

[Anonymous]

You can install some cameras.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This morning I woke up to a man sleeping in my back yard. We back to an alley and have no fence, only arborvitae for privacy. He must have snuck through with his bike because when I opened my blinds at dawn, there he was. I quickly and quietly called the police but my noise or something woke him or got him moving because he was gone before the police got here. I have no camera back there and while I gave a description, and while they couldn’t immediately find him, they told me there was evidence under the trees that perhaps he had been doing this for a while. I had to get my kids to SACC and myself to work, but they said they’d canvass. When I called before heading home they said they’d had no updates. I’m sure I’ll be criticized for saying this but I’m honestly feeling a little bit violated thinking about how he was right outside my window all night? most of the night? most of the morning? and a little scared he will return. I live alone with my kids. I don’t have an alarm system and can’t get one today; I’m not even sure I can get one period, since I rent. I don’t have a gun or anything else. Any ideas how I can feel a little safer tonight?

While I would be scared, too, if he has been staying there for a while he likely has no intention of doing anything to you or your family.