Need Advice. Scary Guy At Door. I Am Freaking Out.

[Tiger Kitten]

OK, I was walking back from the store yesterday, and this really creepy guy pulled over and was making very crude sexual comments to me. I told him, "Not interested." I continued walking. Today, he knocked on my door. I'm freaking out.

I thought it was the mailman or something so I opened the door. He said, "You gave me your address yesterday." I said, "No, I did not." I closed the door in his face.

I really really don't know what to do. Do I just calm down and pretend it didn't happen? Do I call the police?

I did not walk straight home from the store. I hid for a while to avoid creepy people knowing where I live.

The crude things he was saying yesterday I just kinda blew off. There are creepy people in the world. Today in light of the really crude stuff and him showing up at my door. This is too much.

This place is not very secure. Has a big dog. Lots of windows though. Windows in both doors. I'm really scared. I don't know if I am over reacting or not. I can't calm down enough to sort things out. I normally over react to everything. So, I kind of treat myself like the boy who cried wolf a lot.

This time the danger signals seem a lot more real though.


Tiger

 

[Tiger Kitten]

I was advised to call the police. They are sending an officer over now.

Tiger

 

[kers]

Yes, calling the police was the right thing to do. Because you did not give this creep your address and he clearly followed you, his behavior is very suspicious. Having the cops visit is a good thing for your safety.

I hope you are feeling more secure soon, and that the police presence scares this creep away from you.

 

[Tiger Kitten]

The officer said they would be sending extra patrols by for the next few days. He was very nice and didn't act like I was a bother or anything. He said to call them if I see anything suspicious or if the creepy icky guy comes back. He reassured me that I did the right thing, and told me not to hesitate to call them back if there were any problems.

Tiger

 

[Marlene]

Good that the police are taking this seriously. Their job is to protect and serve. They need to do it. Some act like you're bothering them to do their job...glad this one didn't.

Lisa

 

[2quilt]

If this guy comes around again, see if you can speed dial a neighbor to photograph the guy from their window so you can give it to the police. This guy may be known by the police. If you dont already have one, get a monitred alarm system, a deadbolt, let all your neighbors know and get their phone numbers, and ask if their was any surveilance cameras going if you live in an aptment complex that could have captured his image, car color and make, etc.

Practice your escape route in case he breaks in while you are home, and dont go into your home alone any more. Buy pepper spray or a taser stick that you can take with you when you go into your front door.

 

[Manic11]

2quilt, Thats a great idea! Very smart. I was in a similar situation before and I wish I would have thought of that.

You did the right thing Tiger. Good for you. Very brave of you. Hang in there. Keep us updated!

Manic

 

[catjudo]

I'm glad that you called the police and that they are taking the situation seriously.

I would consider my house to be fairly secure. Alarm system (which I foolishly rarely set), secure windows, strong door with deadbolt & extra security lock. There is a window in my front door and I NEVER open my door to strangers. If someone comes to my door, I will make them yell through the door what they want before I yell back that I'm not interested and walk away. I would probably ignore the doorbell altogether except that my 5-year-old runs excitedly to the door anytime someone knocks or rings the bell. Can't completely ignore it, but send a clear message to everyone that I'm not opening my door and they should move on. At first I felt kind of rude when I began implementing this policy, but quickly realized mine and my daughter's safety is worth far more than the possibility of insulting or upsetting some unknown solicitor.

 

[Tiger Kitten]

I should have snapped a picture with my camera phone. I have a deadbolt, but there is a window in the door that could be broken so that really doesn't help. Right now I cannot afford an alarm system.

I have seen the police drive by a number of times tonight. I can't sleep, but I think the police and the 80lb barking dog has scared the creep away. No one has knocked on the door besides the mail person since I moved in here. Which was at about the same time as the creep knocked on it today.

I don't generally answer the door when people knock. If they haven't called first, I think it's more rude for them to just stop by then it is for me to not answer the door. I was expecting a package though, so I didn't ignore the knocking today. This is a good part of town. I have lived in this area before. I talked to the neighbors on both sides of the house today. I think everything is going to be alright.

Thank you all,

Tiger

 

[midi]

Let's hope this guy leaves you alone. Sounds like he's a perp that follows women home and then tries to see how far he can get. Keep your cell phone close at all times!

 

[2quilt]

...And when you yell at visitors through the door and they balk and ask you open the door or falsely state that it's FED EX needing a signature,
I hope you have a way of peeking out to see who it REALLY is before you open the door.
That creep may lie to you to get you to open the door.

I also have one of those sharp metal things that pry off hubcaps I keep in the door of my van just in case I run into an asshole road raging, or (in my other hand) someone wants to try his luck at robbery while I am pumping gas.

I live in a very nice safe part of town, but a few weeks ago, someone tried to get in my front door by turning the doorknob back and forth. He did that to 3 houses on my block. We called the cops, but as usual, they didn't give a damn.

 

[catjudo]

I know what you mean. I live in an area that is considered one of the nicer areas of our city. Much lower crime rate than other areas, more affluent residents, etc. The flip side of that is that means less police officers assigned to and on patrol in our area (not considered a high need area). Low crime does not equal NO crime. But sometimes it can take quite a while to get police response. More affluent members of our community have had the leverage to push for some improvement but it is still an issue.