Scary

[Casey_03]

So I went downstairs this morning to find the front door of my house wide open. Not unlocked, but WIDE OPEN. I had doublechecked around 1 a.m. to make sure it was locked, and it was. But when I went down around 9 am it was wide open.

My first thought was that it was one of my relatives who'd stopped by and forgot to shut the door (I'm living in my grandma's house and two other relatives have keys). But I asked them and they said it wasn't them. It's unlikely they are lying, because one of them lives hours away and rarely comes over without calling first, and the other one works all night and into the morning, so wouldn't have had time to come here during that time.

I don't really know what to do about this. It's very alarming, and I don't see any explanation for the door being open than someone breaking in somehow. Nothing was stolen, nothing messed up. Just the door wide open. But it's not like it could open itself.

I don't know if I should call the police. There was no forced entry, I fear they will think I'm crazy.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I would call the police to have it on record and I would get a wireless security system. You can get those from most internet companies. Spectrum has it (or at least did when it was Brighthouse) and there are no wire drilling because my apartment complex said i could put it in. The company i work for sells it. And I believe even ADT and Vivint and other security system companies have wireless systems. Security cameras at least. Even if its not connected it may deter. Or a baby camera pointed at the door(s)?

I understand the fear. I check my doors 10 times each, and have had a stalker so I totally get it. I am so sorry that happened!

 

[ladee]

There are small little alarms you can put on your door, very cheap, that will let out a sound when the door is opened... you can also get a slide lock with a chain.... the door will only open a few inches... someone can not get that undone from the outside... Have you called the family with keys to see if they had been by??? It would scare me too...
I doubt the police would do anything... it was an open door, nothing disturbed... nothing missing... dont worry about sounding crazy, but I do not think they would take a one time incident seriously.... you can also get a 'nanny cam' cheap... install it where it sees the front door and windows...

Be careful and be aware... keep some pepper spray next to your bed... or even wasp spray... that shoots a long way... and if you manage to get someone in the face with it... it will certainly stop them...keep your phone with you all the time... let us know if it happens again....

 

[Justmehere]

It's reasonable to file a report with the police.

How old is the house? It is pretty uncommon, but sometimes a door lock can fail, especially if it's older, and then the wind can actually push a closed door open. This actually used to happen in an older home that I rented. The lock was so old and worn, we had to get it replaced.

Even in my place now, if there is a gust of wind, and I didn't lock the deadbolt, it can actually push an unlocked but closed front door open. It freaked me out the first time it happened. If it's an older home and an older lock, I'd call a locksmith and have them double check the lock.

A wireless security system and/or a door alarm is also a great idea. You could take it with you when you move.

 

[Casey_03]

The mystery deepens. A neighbor now says the door was wide open at 8 p.m. I was downstairs around 5 p.m. and the door was definitely shut and locked -- I compulsively check it any time I go downstairs. I remember staring at it when I was talking to my sister over the phone at around 5. So someone had to have come in later, when I was in my room feeding the baby. I am thinking maybe it was one of my relatives and they just don't want to fess up. One of my aunts has a boyfriend in the neighboring town and it may have been her coming in and out. She has done that before. Though this time she insists it wasn't her.

It definitely wasn't the wind though. The lock is brand new and very strong, and the door itself is as sturdy as they come. I guess it's more likely that it was a drug addict relative than an intruder though.

 

[ladee]

And is there a certified reason this neighbor did nothing about letting you know your front door was standing wide open...??? People piss me off so bad sometimes...
Well, at least you know someone was not downstairs snooping around while you and LM were sleeping...it was open earlier... Does your creepy uncle have a key?? That I would check into... and demand he give it to you or another family member.... hope you find out what happened.... you really do not need this extra stress and suspense right now..Just grateful you and LM are safe.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

She has done that before. Though this time she insists it wasn't her.

All the more reason to have some sort of wireless camera on the doors. You can get them really cheap these days and that can and will make you feel safer and there is no "will the cops believe me" then with video tapped proof.

Also, most webcams have the abilty to be set so that if any motion is there, it takes a video and/or a picture back to back and ours can be really dialed in. Also, the good thing about having one that is seperate from the PC, i can point it at the door or anywhere I want.

Stay safe!

 

[Casey_03]

I will definitely invest in a wireless web came as soon as I can. I should be moving out in the next few weeks, so will probably wait until I get a new place. But either way it'd be good to have, if I can find one that's affordable. I am thinking my aunt probably came in earlier in the evening, then left and came back again late at night. Cause the door was also closed at 1 am. BUT she has done this before, where she came over multiple times throughout the night. So it seems pretty likely it was her. She's incredibly scatterbrained and on drugs, so I think she often doesn't remember what she does herself.

I am just slightly annoyed because my relatives seem to be implying that I left the door open myself.

 

[ladee]

Well WE know you didn't leave the door open, so don't even go down that road of what the family said... you are doing so well under the circumstances and do not give them any of your energy !!!