Stranger Knocked on Door Begging for Money

[Anonymous]

I've never had this happen before. We are in a quiet, boring, suburban townhouse neighborhood. I have no clue where he even came from (don't think he's a neighbor). Should I be concerned? Or am I being paranoid?

[Anonymous]

Don't answer the door if you don't know him. He could be casing your house to rob the place. It's common in DC so get your street smarts on and lock up even when home, hide valuables, etc.

[Anonymous]

I would do was pp says and also all the cops to let them know!

[cuzimawesome]

Anonymous wrote:I would do was pp says and also all the cops to let them know!

What the hell are the cops gonna do? I live in the suburbs of Maryland... in an upper middle-class neighborhood, and we get people coming through here all the time. There have been so many times where I haven't answered the door because I know that somebody is looking for work... or trying to sell something and I don't want to deal with it. If I called the cops on every suspicious looking person, the cops wouldn't take me seriously anymore.

I had one scruffy looking guy wanting to cut my lawn. He looked really shifty and kinda freaked me out. And no, I didn't call the cops... I just made sure my house was nice and locked up.

And as for the guy asking for money... well... he probably was hoping for a hand out. With that said though, keep your doors locked and don't answer the door unless you know the person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't answer the door if you don't know him. He could be casing your house to rob the place. It's common in DC so get your street smarts on and lock up even when home, hide valuables, etc.

Yup, to see who lives there. Maybe he'll come back later and break in or worse.

[Anonymous]

It's so sad that our first reaction is not to answer the door. Of course I understand why but this could really be an opportunity to help someone in need (and a lot of people are in need these days). Just a thought. And yes, I am a starry eyed idealist, but I would not have the guts to open the door either.

[Anonymous]

Every county has a nonemergency number that you can call. Just google it to get yours. You can report it and they may send some extra patrols to your neighborhood just to look out.

[Anonymous]

I would call the cops to alert them about a man loitering and beggin in my neighborhood, I would rather be safe then sorry! If you lock your doors great but thats not always going to protect you The cops wont necessarily either but if this guy tries to break in somewhere this evening the cops will have been alerted. Common sense my friend.

[Anonymous]

cuzimawesome wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do was pp says and also all the cops to let them know!

What the hell are the cops gonna do? I live in the suburbs of Maryland... in an upper middle-class neighborhood, and we get people coming through here all the time. There have been so many times where I haven't answered the door because I know that somebody is looking for work... or trying to sell something and I don't want to deal with it. If I called the cops on every suspicious looking person, the cops wouldn't take me seriously anymore.

I had one scruffy looking guy wanting to cut my lawn. He looked really shifty and kinda freaked me out. And no, I didn't call the cops... I just made sure my house was nice and locked up.

And as for the guy asking for money... well... he probably was hoping for a hand out. With that said though, keep your doors locked and don't answer the door unless you know the person.

Actually I would call non-emergency. As our neighborhood officer reminded us, they don't just drive by and happen to observe crimes in progress. Quick call, share the intel, and they can decide what to do with it. I agree they were probably casing your house or assessing who is there. I do not answer the door unless I know in advance who it is.

[Anonymous]

I NEVER answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. I agree with the PPs - you never know if someon's casing out your place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I NEVER answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. I agree with the PPs - you never know if someon's casing out your place.

Seriously, THIS. Call the police because they will step up police presence in your neighborhood if you call them. Believe me a cruiser trawling the neighborhood with the blue lights on will be a deterrent for most of this type of crime. A true sociopath won't care--but please, please--don't open your door at night EVER basically. I live in an upscale neighborhood but realize what easy targets we are here at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I NEVER answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. I agree with the PPs - you never know if someon's casing out your place.

Seriously, THIS. Call the police because they will step up police presence in your neighborhood if you call them. Believe me a cruiser trawling the neighborhood with the blue lights on will be a deterrent for most of this type of crime. A true sociopath won't care--but please, please--don't open your door at night EVER basically. I live in an upscale neighborhood but realize what easy targets we are here at night.

Don't let day lull you into false sense of security either- apparently that is when even more of this happens.

[Anonymous]

Call the cops. Worst they'll do is put it in File 13.

[Anonymous]

I know it's better to be safe than sorry but my god, people... paranoia, anyone? Not everyone is out to get you. The responses are a bit over the top. It's like you're all expecting a home invasion any minute now. Culture of fear, indeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I NEVER answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. I agree with the PPs - you never know if someon's casing out your place.

Yeah, so, there has been a rash of daytime burglaries in my neighborhood. The MO is to knock, and if no one answers, then kick the door in. I heard a story of a guy who NEVER answered the door when he was working from home, and thus was inside the house when the burglars entered. The next time you decline to answer the door, give that a thought.