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Very scary CF Parking Incident

88 replies

2018SoFarSoGreat · 10/02/2020 17:34

The same car has blocked my driveway two nights in a row. Today is garbage day, and the CD car was blocking the only spot where my bins can go on the kerb for pickup. We hemmed and hawed what to do, and finally decided to report it. Looked out an hour or so later (10 30 pm ish), CF car is gone. Good. DH put the bins out.

At 4:00 my Ring doorbell went off, then again. We jumped up in a panic, not quite sure what was happening, I instinctively ran to the hallway and put the light on. DH told me to come back in the bedroom, while he looked at the ring camera on his phone. A young man was standing there, alternately pounding on the glass and ringing the bell. The ringing continued, and loud banging on the glass panels in the door. I called the police emergency line, and they said they’d send someone. I was on that phone for 11 minutes – the longest 11 minutes in my life. The guy kept banging, louder and louder. Ringing and ringing. He was not going away. I can only assume his car was towed – but it was not in my house!

I swear, I thought my heart would leap out of my chest. I locked the bedroom door. Then went into the en suite and locked that door. All the while my DH was watching on the camera. The dispatcher at one point asked if I needed medical help (!) – no, just someone to come make this stop! She asked did we have any weapons in the house. For the first time in my life I wished the answer was yes. I thought this is how it would all end for us. So frightening.

The police arrived and it all went quiet. I reviewed the footage, and did not see the guy walk away, so assume he was arrested. Will follow up with the police department today. He knows where we live! He could come back. I swear I am ready to flee the country.

Just had to tell someone.

OP posts:
2018SoFarSoGreat · 10/02/2020 19:01

We reported it on the non-emergency local parking number listed for our area - local police. Truthfully we see cars parked over corners, crosswalks and blocking drives a lot, and never see enforcement officers do anything, so I did not actually think anything would happen, other than at worst a ticket on the window.

DH has left a message with police requesting an update. I don't imagine they will rush to respond to that, but am glad they were as fast as they were last night.

Our front door is on the side; police car must have parked in front, slightly off camera, because I could see shadowy figures and the car lights, but definitely not the angry man walking away up the street - the only place to go on our dead end.

I feel bad if he got arrested, and if his car got towed. But on the other hand, is it okay to block someone's drive two nights running? Then to scare us like that?

OP posts:
Berrymuch · 10/02/2020 19:02

I would be freaked out too at that time of the morning. Hope you're okay OP Flowers

GivenchyDahhling · 10/02/2020 19:03

That’s a terrifying situation and you acted perfectly properly, in exactly the same way as I would have. I’m amazed that anyone think YABU (and I know it’s know on AIBU so they ABU for thinking YABU 😂)

Berrymuch · 10/02/2020 19:03

Also agree that with the speed the car was moved you can tell you aren't in the UK haha.

latheritup · 10/02/2020 19:05

That would terrify me too OP. I'm hoping the police can provide an answer soon for you!

GivenchyDahhling · 10/02/2020 19:05

*i know it’s not on AIBU

Giggorata · 10/02/2020 19:05

I think it would have been bloody stupid to answer the door to a furious unknown man at 4 am, US or UK.
We've had so many conversations about following your gut instincts on MN, so many references to the Gift of Fear, so many people who tell us they don't answer the door at all, day or night, unless someone is expected... It has made me think twice about some things I do. But this is surely common sense..
Hope you're OK, OP, and that the police are on it.

momtoboys · 10/02/2020 19:15

I would have been terrified. I would have done exactly what you did. Hope he has learned his lesson and has calmed for F down!

AutumnRose1 · 10/02/2020 19:16

OP that must have been horrendous, I feel for you.

Can you get gates?

AriadnesFilament · 10/02/2020 19:19

4am and someone is hammering on the door and won’t stop? Damn right I’m ringing the police!

Dolorabelle · 10/02/2020 19:20

Well. I guess I should not have bothered posting. Seems like I'm just some over nervous unfeeling person making assumptions

No, not at all OP Not at all. aNd I'd bet that those who are telling you you overreacted have never had a random stranger hammering on their door at night.

I have. Someone almost kicked my door in at 9pm one quiet Monday night. I was aloe in the house, with no exit other than the front door. I rang the police emergency number and they were following him via CCTV down the street. They picked him up and eventually he was put in gaol for 3 months. Good.

I'm not a great "string 'em up" sort of person, but I was very pleased to hear he was convicted & imprisoned.

I'm in the UK, so no guns. The scumbag was drunk & stoned and mistook my front door for his girlfriend's. I feel sorry for her & I hope she really DID kick him out. I had a couple of lovely community police officers come round the next door to reassure me he was banged up & that also, I was not targeted - it was random and bad luck. That was reassuring.

I asked them about what I could have done had he managed to kick his way into the house. They said that force used in self-defence would be fine. But me - an older woman who's never struck or fought anyone in her life - against a violent drunk man? I don't know what I could have done.

It is horrible. I hope you're OK. And just ignore the idiots telling you you're overreacting.

AutumnRose1 · 10/02/2020 19:22

Dolora I’m amazed they locked up him up, presumably not his only offence?

I hope to live in a house one day but am very scared of this kind of thing.

Fairenuff · 10/02/2020 19:22

is it okay to block someone's drive two nights running? Then to scare us like that?

No, it's anti social behaviour and someone needs to learn that it's not acceptable behaviour at all.

Fairenuff · 10/02/2020 19:25

A police officer once told me to keep a heavy, thick rubber torch near my bed. It's the kind of thing you would reasonably have without it being considered a weapon and you can use it in self defence.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 10/02/2020 19:26

I'd be pretty scared and we're in the UK, in a town on a well lit street. Limited folk with guns (although a fair number of knives!) and I wouldn't be approaching the door at 4am. Definitely what the police would deal with although great they came so quickly.

Hoping you get an update.

Juliehooligan · 10/02/2020 19:29

@2018SoFarSoGreat I would have done the same thing as you, and I’m the UK. My partner works nights, and I’m on my own with a 12 year old, I refuse to take any chances with my child’s safety. Hope you are ok and everything has been sorted. Xx

larrygrylls · 10/02/2020 19:29

What’s the big difference between uk and USA, sure they may not have a gun but could easily have a knife or a hammer. Even a single punch can kill.

I would be terrified by someone angry pounding on my door at 4AM and I am betting 90% of those who claim otherwise are lying.

KurriKurri · 10/02/2020 19:35

I think this thread has been quite useful in making people consider what they would do in similar circumstances to the OP.

When my door was hammered on at 3 am, I got into conversation with the guy as I said. in retrospect very stupid - but in the moment, drowsy with sleep and wondering what the dog was barking at, I did all the wrong things. It's easy to panic when caught uawares and take stupid risks. If you have thought things through in advance you have more chance of acting safely. (A bit like planning your way out if your house should catch fire)

I've had a more secure lock and chain put on my door since then (it was woeful unsecure). And next time I shall phone the police.
I shall also invest in a heavy rubber torch as per a PP.(Although hopefully I would never have to use it and would always try to escape rather than confront.

Shodan · 10/02/2020 19:37

I'm in the UK and we were woken abruptly at 2 am one night by a man kicking and punching our front door and shouting.

Police were called and duly arrived (3 cars, it must've been quiet night on duty!) and removed him. Turns out he was stonking drunk and had mistaken our door for his own and was pissed off that no-one would let him in.

I was scared (and 6 months pregnant!), even with XH here, and it being a 'nice' area of the UK. Anyone claiming they wouldn't at least be unnerved to be jerked awake from sleep by something like this it trying too hard to be 'cool', imo.

FrogFairy · 10/02/2020 19:38

Scary to think that if his car was there for two nights, he either lives nearby or visit someone who does. I really hope he leaves you in peace.

2018SoFarSoGreat · 10/02/2020 19:43

@KurriKurri you are right. We do have an alarm, but that is not going to scare off someone intent on doing damage - would just be noisy and alert the police, again. I considered how to escape if he got in.
Two story house, main floor above garage and downstairs rooms. The only way is down the stairs, which is no use, since there is one flight down to the front door, another down to the garage and downstairs rooms - which are both exits but of no use if the stairs are under siege. Would have had to climb from the bedroom window, two floors up. I would have jumped though, without question.

Poor DH remained quite calm (compared to me, anyway) but vigilant, but in truth he would be no match for an angry young man. He'd give it a good go though. He has a (mini) baseball bat near his side of the bed. I may sanction the purchase of a large one. Today.

Thank you all for your kindness. I just needed a handhold.

OP posts:
AnneOfTeenFables · 10/02/2020 19:43

I think the lack of context ie forgetting to say it was 4am and that you were in the US, has affected the responses you've been given.
Although as a PP said, a car wouldn't be towed so quickly in the UK for blocking a drive.

Justaboy · 10/02/2020 19:55

Well why havent you got a gun?. a double barrell thru the letter box eh?.

Seriously I just would not like to live there with their gun culture. Not anti gun, bought up with them done quite a bit of shooting, but let anyone have them and what do you expect?.

ADJ1151 · 10/02/2020 19:56

I would have s**t myself OP. Every other week Mon-Fri I’m home alone without Oh in the evenings and it’s rare the door knocks but if it does I am a nervous wreck and I live a in a small English village where nothing really happens! Saying that recently a neighbour of ours had a random walk in her house (her door wasn’t locked) at night time so things do happen here. My doors are always locked!

I would have reacted the same way. Apart from I don’t have locks on my bedroom or an en-suite so I would have crapped myself even more!

Hopefully you’ll be able to Quickly recover from this op!

AndaLuciAnn · 10/02/2020 19:58

I’d have been scared here in the uk under the same circumstances.

I certainly wouldn’t answer or try ask from inside what they wanted either. No way I’d engage (esp as I live alone).

I hope this gets sorted OP. Sounds very frightening indeed,

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