The door bell rings at midnight.. what next?

[BJA]

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LOL ^:uhoh:But thanks for the good advice all, maybe next time if I do wake up I will call the police, the cops were courtious when my mom opened the door, but they need to respect peoples property and privacy. There lucky I didn't shine a light in their eyes and for them to show me there badges while my little brother was in the corner with a gun. Fact is cops can't be doing this!! we have had people break in twice, one time while my whole family was home! (my dog took care of him real good :lol It is dangerous for the police, and dangerous for the homeowner, I'm not a paranoid guy, I keep my guns locked up 6 feet away and wont take it out unless it actually is a possible threatsome for example> a couple of guys dressed in all black knocking at my door after midnight, that scared the sh*t outta my mom.

On another note all this talk about vilas county is getting me excited for my fishing trip on allequash lake in late june!!



Ben

 

[hugh jarmis]

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Just trying to be objective Ben, you indicate that your sister did "something" to bring the police to your house???

If you don't want the police coming to your house I think your first stop should be to have a little talk with your sister.

Second... Last time I looked most police uniforms are dark dark blue or black.

I don't think uniformed police officers have the opportunity to put on a big white sequin coat and announce their precense with a bullhorn from the curb.

I'm no fan of the police, but reading this situation I can't help but ask "just what are they suppose to do"

Thank-your sister for this situation.

 

[FLR&@]

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Absolutely have to agree with Hugh thank your little sister for the visit.



Idefiantly understand anyone’s concern for there security when a knock comes at the door that late. But alsoI understand there are times when it is appropriate or nessary for the police to come at that time.



Once again THANK YOU LITTLE SISTER!!!!

 

[Doug Huffman]

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They learned and did nothing that could not have been done better with a phone call. But in furtherance of the fools mission they risked a confrontation that could have been between legally armed parties - the citizen in his castle and the dark clad intruders in the night. Imagine whose side I'm on.

 

[hugh jarmis]

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They learned and did nothing that could not have been done better with a phone call.

Who's to say. Many people don't have land-lines anymore.

We don't know what Ben's sister was up to.

Sorry, I don't write blank checks for anyone. If Ben wants to tell us "the whole story" then I'll make a judgement of whether the police were doing what I'd expect them to or acting like the gestapo.

 

[suntzu]

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BJA wrote:

Well last night we had a little disturbance, my sister who is 21 and lives between our house and her boyfriends did something to bring the police to our house. The whole family was sleeping besides my mom who got off an hour earlier from work, the police came a little after midnight and rang the doorbell.I was sleeping and didn't notice my dog bark, but my mom went down to check it out. When my mom went downstairs she saw two men dressed in black and thought they could be robbers so she ran back of stairs, then one of the officers finally anounced they were police. And then she talked to them. We have had someone break into our house before. I'm just curious but what woulda happened if I answered the door with my gun at my side?? there was a home invasion in the summer right in Oak Creek whos to know who the hell is at the door dressed in all black.

Ben

How about go to the door, ask who the individual is through the door--as you are not required to open the door to the police if you don't want to--unless they have a warrant or sufficient PC to believe you were in the act of committing a crime (which then they would just break down your door)...inform the individuals that you want their name/badge number (if they have a badge num), then call the local police and ask them to verify the names and locations of the officers....if they begin to insist that you open the door (and you have not done anything), then inform them that you are armed, the door is locked and will stay locked and that you are calling to verify that they are who they claim to be--and to make NO attempt to come forcibly through the door...and then back away and take up a defensible position with a view of the door, while you verify their information...and get EVERYTHING on audio--CYOA.

because you really have NO idea who they are--they can claim to be anyone, and a badge can come from a myriad of sources.....lots of criminals in this world....

bottom line--DON'T open the door--speak through it only....and then take every precaution to verify the information given to you...and if still in doubt...call 9-1-1 (for what good it will do) and tell them you have people at your door claiming to be the police, but you are in doubt, and would like them to immediately send out the Sheriff/or state police.....to check into these people.....because you are not opening the door.

 

[suntzu]

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Doug Huffman wrote:

They learned and did nothing that could not have been done better with a phone call. But in furtherance of the fools mission they risked a confrontation that could have been between legally armed parties - the citizen in his castle and the dark clad intruders in the night. Imagine whose side I'm on.

I'm on the citizens side....

your home is your castle....

a knock at the door in the wee hours of the morning should ALWAYS be met with caution--NEVER just open the door to anyone....not even the police.

 

[hugh jarmis]

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a knock at the door in the wee hours of the morning should ALWAYS be met with caution--NEVER just open the door to anyone....not even the police.

I don't disagree with this at all...

If my doorbell rings ANY time and I'm not expecting company I first grab a gun and then go look to see who it is.

Anytime I hear an unfamiliarnoise around my house I grab a gun first and then go see what it is.

But I'm not about to start railing on the police because they rang a doorbell at midnight.

Example: I live in a very nice area with large homes on large lots with wetlands/forest abutting the homesites. If someone down the road called police because they see a prowler looking in windows after dark some night, and the police come to my neighborhood to DO THEIR JOB and investigate I HOPE they ring my doorbell and let me know to be on the alert so I can throw my outside lights on and maybe even the TV (with the volume low of course) I don't have a landline, only a cell phone so they likely can't "call ahead"

When they do ring my doorbell, I will have grabbed a gun when I come to answer the door, but I will be glad the police rang my doorbell at midnight.

But with regard to Bens comment:

I will call the police, the cops were courtious when my mom opened the door, but they need to respect peoples property and privacy. There lucky I didn't shine a light in their eyes and for them to show me there badges while my little brother was in the corner with a gun. Fact is cops can't be doing this!!

Sorry Ben... If you sister did "something" to bring the police to your house what the hell do you (or anyone else) expect?

And as far as shining a light in their eyes and showing their badges... You said they were courteous to your mom, why would you want to be a jerk in response?

I personally would want to verify they were a police officer too, and I may or may not let them in my home. (probably not) but based on the little information you've shared so far, I can't say that I think your rights have been violated here. Sorry.

What did your sister do?

 

[BJA]

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My sister is older than me she is21 she doesn't live at home anymore, I believe she took a pack of cigarettes without paying the police said to my mom "this might just be a misunderstanding" 3 times. I understand what your saying Hugh, don't get me wrong I have alott of respect for police officers but, when there on my property in the middle of the night I'm probobly not going to be the happiest guy but don't worry i wouldn't rail on them lol. I really didn't havea problem with how they acted but more of how they could have acted, a couple of suspicious looking people are at my front door in the middle of winter in the middle of the night might make me raise an eye-brow, what if I did go to the door with a gun at my side, I get shot because of some cops from another city (oak creek) come to my house where the person there looking for doesn't live instead of jsut calling. I never had to take my gun out yet because of possible burglars or what not thankfully, I usually rely on my dog as my main deterrent.

Hugh said --When they do ring my doorbell, I will have grabbed a gun when I come to answer the door, but I will be glad the police rang my doorbell at midnight.

I agree with you and your example I would have been happy too,I am not mad at the copsat all they are just doing their job, and I am not necessarily mad that they came to our house,but I gottaprotect my house and my family too. Were on common ground here it's just that there is a risk if you answer the doorto the police at night with a gun without knowing who they are, and thats my question whats next after the doorbell rings at midnight, not why theare the cops bothering us.



Hugh said----I don't think uniformed police officers have the opportunity to put on a big white sequin coat and announce their precense with a bullhorn from the curb.
I would pay money for them todo that when or if they came to my house!! lmao I wouldwake up any night for that :lol:



I justadded my personal story to give you an idea of what could happen, I'm not here to debate why they came or anything.I am justpointing out a real problem that couldface you or any gun owner.



Ben

 

[Doug Huffman]

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hugh jarmis wrote

:But I'm not about to start railing on the police because they rang a doorbell at midnight.

Good word; rail, to scold using harsh language. It's missing from many on-line dictionaries.

 

[suntzu]

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BJA wrote:

I agree with you and your example I would have been happy too,I am not mad at the copsat all they are just doing their job, and I am not necessarily mad that they came to our house,but I gottaprotect my house and my family too. Were on common ground here it's just that there is a risk if you answer the doorto the police at night with a gun without knowing who they are, and thats my question whats next after the doorbell rings at midnight, not why theare the cops bothering us.



Ben

What's next is--you don't just open the door...you ask through the door for the person(s) to identify himself/themselves, and then proceed from there. If you doubt what they tell you--then you might consider wanting to take the safety off (if you have not already done so) and tell them to stand by while you verify their information, but to do NOT attempt to come through the door. If they are the police--they should understand your caution. If they demand entrance, then tell them to back away from the door and flip on your porch light (if it is not already on) and take a look at them through the peep hole, but irregardless--you should NOT simply allow entrance to anyone claiming to be a police officer, and should not allow entrance of them anyway even if they are, unless they actually have a warrant.

Bottom line--just because someone says they are a police officer does NOT make them one, and don't simply open the door to anyone in the middle of the night...

your safety and the safety of your loved ones are your responsibility.

 

[FLR&@]

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If you are so concerned about the knock at midnight why even go to the door? Just call 911 and say I think it is the police but…..

 

[Citizen]

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FLR72 wrote:

If you are so concerned about the knock at midnight why even go to the door? Just call 911 and say I think it is the police but…..

That gives rise to a thought for a phone call:

"Police emergency? Yes, I've got some idiot banging on my front door. Before I answer it with my gun in my hand, I thought I'd check to see if you have any officers at my address. Wouldn't want to have any misunderstandings where my championship handgun markship prevails. Yes, I'll wait."

 

[Nutczak]

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Cobbersmom wrote:

Nutczak wrote:

Please state that officers name!! We live and work in the lakeland area, and Ineed to know who this person is. I will make a formal complaint to his superiors and say I overheard the conversation and I am very upset about his eagerness and willingness to balatantly violate my rights.


Did you read this weeks lakeland times??? Ya still feel the same way about Moore?

I am approaching officers and eliciting conversation on open carry. So far they have all been negative

Yup, we have a problem in the northwoods thatwe need to overcome, that is for sure!

The local law enforcement seems tohave a "Negative" attitude about most anything listed in our bill of rights!

To give the other members a little insight on some of our current police department staff I will tell you about the previous contacts with certain LEO's in this area

A few years ago there was a fight in town at a popular tavern where a victim received a minor stab wound, this person was uninsured and felt he was not injured enough to need medical treatment for his injuries sohe declined the ride to the hospital in an ambulance.

This angered the police officer investigating the case. so while the stabbing victim waspeacefullysitting on the curb during the interview, the officer thought it would be in his best interest tounholster his taser and fire itinto the victim becuase he didn't want medical attention in disagreement with the officer.

So with the way the police force (it should be referred to as the Police Farce) is allowed and encouragedto act up here, you can get tasered for refusing medical treatment even when you are not the one under arrest or even a suspect?Just an injured victim that feels he does not need medical treatment.

I had the displeasure of being stopped for having a tail-light malfunctioing on my truck, The officer didn't like that he could not see into the backseat of my truck, I was ordered to step out of my truck, I complied and when I got out I made sure to close the window and lock the door behind me. This angered the officer and he went into a tirade about how I must unlock my truck so he can search it or I am getting arrested and going to jail. I asked what his probable cause was for a search stemmingfrom a traffic stop wherea taillight was allegedly malfunctioning. This angered him even more and he called for another squad for back-up. Luckily the back-up car was someone a bit more reasonable and pinted out that he see's no problemwith my taillights and when I repeatedly asked "Am I free to Leave, and stating that"I am not consenting to a search of myslef or my property" after about ten times, the 2nd officer told me I was free to go.

Sorry for the rant, but this city has a whole bunch of "Barney Fife's" running around violating peoples rights at any opportunity they have. This makes me want to OC in the area even more.

 

[FLR&@]

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Nutczak-



This is unreal and nearly unbelievable. But Thank you for the observations, I go through that neck of the north woods about three or five times a year.. But it just goes to show knowledge is power! Good for you.



Just have to add I am looking forward to coming home butI have to admitnot being allowed to O.C. or C.C. in Milwaukee is freighting.

 

[suntzu]

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FLR72 wrote:

If you are so concerned about the knock at midnight why even go to the door? Just call 911 and say I think it is the police but…..

Because 9-1-1 is for real emergencies--which some idiot banging my door at 3am is not.

 

[suntzu]

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Nutczak wrote:

Cobbersmom wrote:

Nutczak wrote:

Please state that officers name!! We live and work in the lakeland area, and Ineed to know who this person is. I will make a formal complaint to his superiors and say I overheard the conversation and I am very upset about his eagerness and willingness to balatantly violate my rights.


Did you read this weeks lakeland times??? Ya still feel the same way about Moore?

I am approaching officers and eliciting conversation on open carry. So far they have all been negative

Yup, we have a problem in the northwoods thatwe need to overcome, that is for sure!

The local law enforcement seems tohave a "Negative" attitude about most anything listed in our bill of rights!

To give the other members a little insight on some of our current police department staff I will tell you about the previous contacts with certain LEO's in this area

A few years ago there was a fight in town at a popular tavern where a victim received a minor stab wound, this person was uninsured and felt he was not injured enough to need medical treatment for his injuries sohe declined the ride to the hospital in an ambulance.

This angered the police officer investigating the case. so while the stabbing victim waspeacefullysitting on the curb during the interview, the officer thought it would be in his best interest tounholster his taser and fire itinto the victim becuase he didn't want medical attention in disagreement with the officer.

So with the way the police force (it should be referred to as the Police Farce) is allowed and encouragedto act up here, you can get tasered for refusing medical treatment even when you are not the one under arrest or even a suspect?Just an injured victim that feels he does not need medical treatment.

I had the displeasure of being stopped for having a tail-light malfunctioing on my truck, The officer didn't like that he could not see into the backseat of my truck, I was ordered to step out of my truck, I complied and when I got out I made sure to close the window and lock the door behind me. This angered the officer and he went into a tirade about how I must unlock my truck so he can search it or I am getting arrested and going to jail. I asked what his probable cause was for a search stemmingfrom a traffic stop wherea taillight was allegedly malfunctioning. This angered him even more and he called for another squad for back-up. Luckily the back-up car was someone a bit more reasonable and pinted out that he see's no problemwith my taillights and when I repeatedly asked "Am I free to Leave, and stating that"I am not consenting to a search of myslef or my property" after about ten times, the 2nd officer told me I was free to go.

Sorry for the rant, but this city has a whole bunch of "Barney Fife's" running around violating peoples rights at any opportunity they have. This makes me want to OC in the area even more.

It just seem like there are a lot of Barney fifes around anymore....or Rambo wannabes...

ahhhh, but that is what 42 USC 1983 is for...

as well as 18 USC 242.....

they need to be held financially and criminally accountable when our rights are violated...

 

[Shotgun]

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suntzu wrote:

FLR72 wrote:

If you are so concerned about the knock at midnight why even go to the door? Just call 911 and say I think it is the police but…..

Because 9-1-1 is for real emergencies--which some idiot banging my door at 3am is not.

Fine, call the non-emergency number.