Opinions wanted: Doorbell rang at 4:30am, house was not on fire, what would you do?

Owlivia

Owlivia

Well-known Member
This morning at 4:30 someone rang the doorbell. I hadn't been asleep for more than a few hours, making the mistake of watching a serial that was on from 1-3 am. I shut the tv off just after 2am, felt too tired to watch the full show.

So, I lay there in bed, took a security check from bed- was there someone in the house, was there the sound of a window breaking, and so on.

I waited for them to ring again or knock. Nothing. However, the car running outside either in my driveway or the street was heard for about half an hour. Just after 5am I got the courage to get up and walk through the house. Then I went back to bed.

I did ask for protection and security from God and I'm still here.

In the daylight, I wondered if I should have gotten up and turned on the lights and the outside lights, just to let whoever it was know that the house was occupied. This is a neighborhood of single family houses, most are dark at that time of the night, but a few may have lights on inside.

I wasn't going to open the door, or pull the curtains open to see who was there. If there wasn't 14 inches of snow on the ground, I possibly could have snuck out the back to see if I could take a photo of the car, but no way did I want to confront anyone.

What would you have done?
 

Owlivia said:
This morning at 4:30 someone rang the doorbell. I hadn't been asleep for more than a few hours, making the mistake of watching a serial that was on from 1-3 am. I shut the tv off just after 2am, felt too tired to watch the full show.

So, I lay there in bed, took a security check from bed- was there someone in the house, was there the sound of a window breaking, and so on.

I waited for them to ring again or knock. Nothing. However, the car running outside either in my driveway or the street was heard for about half an hour. Just after 5am I got the courage to get up and walk through the house. Then I went back to bed.

I did ask for protection and security from God and I'm still here.

In the daylight, I wondered if I should have gotten up and turned on the lights and the outside lights, just to let whoever it was know that the house was occupied. This is a neighborhood of single family houses, most are dark at that time of the night, but a few may have lights on inside.

I wasn't going to open the door, or pull the curtains open to see who was there. If there wasn't 14 inches of snow on the ground, I possibly could have snuck out the back to see if I could take a photo of the car, but no way did I want to confront anyone.

What would you have done?
Click to expand...
I think you did the right thing. I wouldn't stress over it. I wouldn't have done anything differently to be honest.
 
My apartment has a bell at the entrance of the building and one just outside of my door.

If the person was at the outside door I wouldn’t give it a thought because strangers tend to ring all of the bells on the chance that someone will let them in.

If it’s the bell outside my door I check the peephole and use my best judgment.
 
I depend on my security camera monitor at such times, but if I didn't have one, I would go to the door and speak without opening it, and ask who they were. If I was dissatisfied with their response, I would call 911. This is a small town - and not a lot going on. Police would arrive very soon.

Many years ago, we had a siren in our attic near the vent to the outside, and it was loud enough to be heard all over the neighborhood, and a switch to turn it on, inside the house. It was an easy, inexpensive installation. If I didn't have cameras, I would once again install one of those.
 
In light of the recent Mrs. Guthrie case, I think this could encourage some people with bad intentions. In such a situation, I wouldn’t put myself in a dangerous position. I have smart cameras all around my house, and I can check the area anytime using my phone or computer, which is very helpful.

Whether it’s lucky or unlucky, California is a place that doesn’t prohibit guns. If I were to encounter a situation like this, I would take out the handgun I keep in my drawer and then call the police. Never think that calling the police is bothering them, we pay taxes, and they have the duty to protect us in any situation.
 
Thank you all for your good advice.

I didn't even consider calling the police, not sure why.

I do not have any type of camera outside. I imagine if I did it would be easy for the criminal to rip the camera off or cover it. I have thought of getting them, though.

I didn't want to open the curtains, as was said, the person would have seen me. I didn't want to call out to ask who it was, again, they would know I was a woman, alone.

I didn't put the inside lights on even when I got up at 5 to walk around the rooms. Just in case.

I don't have any guns and the only weapon I could come up with is a can of some type of spray to try and blind them temporarily. Probably not very useful though.

There was a gutter cover salesman who wouldn't take no for an answer, even though I had a sign on the door to not disturb. That was shortly after my husband died. He was relentless and finally I told him to leave.

That night I was fearful he was coming back and I went to bed with a can of air freshener. Laugh. I was very fragile at that time.

Around that same time I had been helped by a retired plumbing contractor working in Home Depot. Some how we got around to talking about our recently deceased spouses who both died at the same hospital.

I told the man I had a glass windchime on my kitchen door in case someone came in I would hear the chime. In his bluntness he said most burglars work in pairs and I would be helpless.

It's been a hard eleven months since my husband died. It's things like 430am doorbell ringing that gives me a reality check.

I can't reply individually, I am getting a bit teary. Think I will try and stay awake as long as I can.

Can't live in fear and can't control what other people will do.

Thank you all again, it's helped me.
 
Owlivia said:
Thank you all for your good advice.

I didn't even consider calling the police, not sure why.

I do not have any type of camera outside. I imagine if I did it would be easy for the criminal to rip the camera off or cover it. I have thought of getting them, though.

I didn't want to open the curtains, as was said, the person would have seen me. I didn't want to call out to ask who it was, again, they would know I was a woman, alone.

I didn't put the inside lights on even when I got up at 5 to walk around the rooms. Just in case.

I don't have any guns and the only weapon I could come up with is a can of some type of spray to try and blind them temporarily. Probably not very useful though.

There was a gutter cover salesman who wouldn't take no for an answer, even though I had a sign on the door to not disturb. That was shortly after my husband died. He was relentless and finally I told him to leave.

That night I was fearful he was coming back and I went to bed with a can of air freshener. Laugh. I was very fragile at that time.

Around that same time I had been helped by a retired plumbing contractor working in Home Depot. Some how we got around to talking about our recently deceased spouses who both died at the same hospital.

I told the man I had a glass windchime on my kitchen door in case someone came in I would hear the chime. In his bluntness he said most burglars work in pairs and I would be helpless.

It's been a hard eleven months since my husband died. It's things like 430am doorbell ringing that gives me a reality check.

I can't reply individually, I am getting a bit teary. Think I will try and stay awake as long as I can.

Can't live in fear and can't control what other people will do.

Thank you all again, it's helped me.
Click to expand...
Remember the police will help you. đź«‚
 
I am so glad you are ok. I think you did te right things. For me I would have pulled my little Sig and gone slowly from room to room not talking. I would shoot to wound and then call the cops.
 
i had an alarm system years ago at my house. All doors and windows had sensors. You can set the outer perimeter alarm and go to sleep, just be sure to turn it off in the morning before opening door. Wasn't very expensive.

So nobody needs to be knocking on a door at 4 am. I wouldn't turn on lights nor go near the door. Also these days cameras that you can monitor from your phone are affordable.
 

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