AIBU for calling the police but not opening the door at 3am?

[Cantrememberoldusername]

Important information-

i am a single parent to 3 children with special needs and a teenage girl ( she’s more work that the others at the moment)

at 3am today I was woken up by a woman screaming for help and banging on my door asking me to let her in. There was a man with her, I could hear him telling her to calm down. She was screaming and banging then ran off down the street, the man followed her.

i didn’t open the door I called the police.

my friends are split on whether I did the right thing or if I should have let her in.

I always get involved. Someone screaming in the street, I'll go and check it out. Obviously read the situation before doing anything risky, but I'd at least speak to the person asking for help.

Some people in the thread have been watching too much true crime. Most people in need aren't knife murderers out to get you.

I am a Police Officer and I wouldn't have opened the door either. You did right by calling the police and safeguarding yourself and children. Don't listen to anyone else.

That was really ballsy of your mum.

I actually think about this a bit as my cousin's best friend was murdered by her ex boyfriend in the driveway of her neighbours house. She had run to the door to try and get help and the neighbour refused to answer the door.

Now that I have kids I think I would probably be too scared to answer for all our safety.

You had to protect your children. The police are the right people to call in such a scenario

Well it’s a bit different if it’s a neighbour. As you know them /who they are

Yes but he had a knife and was intent on causing harm so a very scary situation for the neighbour and the obviously the poor victim.

No I wouldn’t have opened the door either

I think you did the right thing. You did not know the full circumstances and you had to make a judgement call.

I never open the door after dark especially if I am alone. My husband will answer the door.

100% the right thing.
Its a common scam in some areas You let the women in, then she lets the other in and they rob the house or worse.

It doesnt matter if people see it differently- you have no idea what people may have been through in their lives. It doesn't make their choice wrong and yours right or morally superior.

Noone is obliged to put themselves in a place of risk for someone else and half the time the people screaming or banging at the door arent "talking"- thats the entire point, all you see is someone screaming or hysterical and its impossible to judge in a split second what is actually going on so you have to make a decision in a second.