Thursday, January 21, 2010

This Is Too Dang Close...!


I know at some point in time, we have all said " it could never happen to me " or "It would never happen in my neighborhood", right?

Well, my friends, it can, indeed, and in my case...it did! Picture this, if you can!

It's 9:00 P.M. and is rather dark on the street. Suddenly, the door bell rings. An older woman, in her 80's and living alone, goes to the front door. "Who is it?" she calls. A male voice answers and says something that she can't understand, but sounds like "security check".

"Well, what do you want?' she asked. Again, the male voice answers in a barely audible voice something she can't understand. Can you see where the obvious dangers are, what could be a very deadly occurrence if she opened the front door?

This happened to my Mother Tuesday night, and lucky for all involved, she did NOT open the front door. Instead, she called me. I live right behind my Mother's house.

I went to her house, going in the back door where she quickly explained what had happened. I immediately went outside, but there was no one there. No strange cars were parked on the street, which meant that whoever it was, was probably on foot!

Many older women live alone on this street, and I instructed her that I thought she should call the police and let them know what had happened. Too many attacks lately on elderly women living alone in this cesspool of a city occurring recently to ignore.

I stayed outside until a police car came by, about 20 minutes after being called. I spoke to the officer and explained what had happened. He agreed that we had done the right thing by calling and assured me that he would pass on the information to his fellow officers in the area and that patrols would be beefed up nightly.

There are some important lessons to be learned here. Not only learned, but practiced!

1. Porch lights and security lights only work if they are turned on!

2. The neighbor's dog barking loudly and in a furious way should never be ignored!

3. Emergency phone numbers for all county offices, including the sheriff, should be close at hand or memorized!

4. Never hesitate to call law enforcement. It's your taxes that pay their salary!

5. Be aware of any strangers walking in your neighborhood at night, or strange cars cruising or parked in the day time. Know who belongs and who doesn't!

6. Probably the most important one...NEVER open the door to a stranger, regardless of who they say they are! Again, never open the door to a stranger...NEVER!

Fortunately, everything turned out fine this time for us. It could have been very different! Just remember, it can happen in your neighborhood. It can happen at your house, your Mother's house...anywhere! Anytime! Please, PLEASE...be careful!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit! Rain outside, I'm afraid!

24 comments:

Frugal Canadian Hermit said...

Sounds like it was a close call. It's too bad people gotta worry about things like this all the time, but I guess we do. Glad everything turned out ok though. Thats sounds like some good advice Jim.

murphyfish said...

Hi Hermit,
It is a sad reflection of the times that we live in. wherever we live there always seems to be reports of such goings on. It seems to me that people are just losing respect for others and that the elderly are considered a ‘soft and easy’ target. Your advice, as always, is solid and informative.
Regards,
John

HossBoss said...

I'm glad you live right behind your mom and can watch out for her! Whoever was at her door was up to no good but they probably won't be back ...people like that want easy targets and your mom proved she was not so easy. Good for you both!

chinasyndrome said...

Man,I'm glad your Mom was one of the smart ones who didnt open door.They are some vile creatures out there.Have a great day Jim!

Momlady said...

Your Mom is a smart lady. and lucky to have you living on the property. Luckily I don't live in an area where a stranger is going to come onto my property. And quite often, when I do answer the door (which has a window on the top half), I answer with a pistol in my hand. Knock on wood I never have to use it.

Baby Sis said...

Bubba -
I love you more every day for being there for Mom. Yeah, she had enough sense to not open the door, but at least you were close at hand. Thanks heaven for both!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Mama HermitJim was no fool - good for her! I'm glad nothing permanent occured from this, but I'll bet you slept a bit lighter last night, didn't you.

The elderly are often selected as targets as they often are more trusting and will open the door more readily.

Your advice is well timed - hope they catch all of the germs who perpetrate this crime. Its bad enough to be on the streets, now crime is making house calls. Disgusting.

Rae said...

Scary. Unfortunately no one is immune to this sort of thing anymore. We all have to be on guard and cautious. Thank goodness your mom was smart and did not open her door.

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special One, Glad she didn't open the door and glad she called you right away and you are so close.
weather here is not to good either. Watching people walking their dogs in a hurry this morning as it has rained some already and the wind is getting very strong.Talking about blizzard conditions on the mountains to the east I dont think I will see that here on the west and I am not giving in and going home! So coffee in a cuddle around the table sounds good to me.

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

I´m so glad Your mother didn´t open the door! Similar things is happening over here and to many let strangers inside their homes.

Thankfully I live in a small village where every one keeps their eyes open. As soon as anything looks suspicious the phone rings :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.

Ben in Texas said...

Scary situation Jim, So glad your Mom had the presents of mind to NOT Open the door and call you.

So glad it worked out well.

Anonymous said...

WOW - Hermit glad your mamma is OK. She absolutely did many right things and it saved her life. You are right in all your recommendations and we all need to CONSTANTLY be on guard no matter where we live.

This is a hard lesson to teach your children - you want them to be aware and know they need to watch their back everywhere but you don't want them to live in constant fear.

I am very sad as this is a reflection of a deeper problem. These hard economic times, times of hopelessness and despair for so many, are bringing out more and more criminals. The crime in our area, some of it WAY too close, including two murders in less than a mile in less than four months, is on the rise quicker than I've ever seen....and more of it violent and deadly.

God help us all!

Take care...and thanks for the good advice and reminders for everyone's safety.

MaMaBear in the Mitten

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Oh my! Thank God your mother did not open that door! And thank God you live right behind her! Fear is a gift when it helps save your life!

Anonymous said...

Well done Jim;

I'm glad that everything worked out. I'm glad that she called you, and you were close. Sometimes eldery people forget. Glad mom's mind is sharp. If you need a hog leg I'll gladly send you one.

Rain here today to. Inside work today...cleaning. Always think of you when haveing my coffee.

See Ya

Kyddryn said...

Raining here as well, Mister Hermit, sir...

My first thought on reading this was "Hmm..in a battle between Nanny and the thugs...my money's on Nanny."

I AM glad she didn't open the door and that you are there to help watch over her...too many people come to harm because they are naive and/or don't have anyone to look after them.

I'm off to band practice...I hope you have a fine day and no more nocturnal oddballs lurking in shadows...

Shade and Sweetwater,
K

HermitJim said...

Hey Hermit...
I guess that when we live in a big city, we can expect many things like this to happen...but it is always a shock when it happens so close to home.

Just happy that she was smart enough to question things, and to call me!

Thanks for dropping in today!


Hey John...
Sad thing, isn't it? The elderly have long been the target of people thinking they are "easy targets", but no need to make it any easier for them than we have to!

It's probably a very good thing that they visitor wasn't there when I went outside! I don't think he would have found me to be a soft target or a welcoming victim!

Glad to offer up what advice I can! Maybe it will help someone...

Thanks for coming by, buddy!


Hey WWRWH...
Just fortunate that being long in the city has taught Mom some very valuable lessons. Sad that she once lived in a time when folks didn't have to lock their doors, and could sleep with their windows opened...and then have to spend her later years having to cringe at the doorbell ringing at night!

It's getting worse every day, it seems! A very sad reflection on the condition of morality in our country today!

Thanks for your concern...and fr stopping by today!


Hey China...
When I go and check on her every morning, if the news is on we talk about some of the stories. She is aware of the situations in the world...but we just never think it will happen here!

I don't guess there is an answer, but the average citizen is getting pretty fed up with it!

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey Momlady...
I'm glad things worked out, but I wish there was some way to ease the burden from the minds of the elderly. One should not have to spend their "Golden Years" in a situation where trust is a forgotten commodity and the "Boogey Man" is not real but made up!

It breaks my heart to see this happen, but all I can do is just make myself available just in case!

Tanks so much for coming by today!


Hey Sis...
I appreciate you coming by today. I don't think there will be any more situations like this, but we have to continue to be on guard, ya know?

I really hate this place! But...such is life!


Hey Anon 7:23...
It would be nice if they caught them, but the courts turn them loose as fast as they put them in!

As far as sleeping well...I haven't slept well in a long time! Too much going on, I guess!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Rae...
You're right! No one is immune anymore! Caution is the name of the game now days, and awareness is a very necessary tool!

Thanks so much for coming by, my friend!


Hey JoJo...
You go, girl! Don't let a little wind or snow send you home early! Let it storm...and stay warm with coffee close at hand!

Glad you came by today, sweetie!


hey Christer...
Living in a small village does have it's advantages at times, I imagine! I guess this sort of thing is going on all over the world, we just don't hear about it as much.

Hey, buddy, you stay warm! Thanks for the visit!


Hey Ben...
Thanks for the concern. I think we all forget sometime just how close the wolf is to our door!

Maybe it's time for some frontier justice again!

Hey, thanks for the visit today, my friend!


Hey MaMaBear...
I can only imagine how parents must feel in today's world. How much do you pass on to your kids without making them afraid to go outside? How can you ever have peace of mind when they are out of sight? How can we teach them...what can we teach them that will be of help if they need it?

It's hard enough being an adult and looking over your shoulder, so how can we comfort a child when they are afraid in a world gone mad?

It makes me very, very angry! And it leaves me feeling very, very helpless! No wonder I want to be a Hermit!

I sure appreciate you coming by today!

HermitJim said...

Hey Gen...
I appreciate the kind words today. We were indeed, very lucky!

Mom is pretty sharp for an older gal...so she is aware of what to do and knows what to watch for.

We do have the important numbers on speed dial on her phone, so hopefully she is at least in a small zone of comfort!
I do what I can...hopefully it will be enough!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Tony...
I appreciate it, my friend! Bad times means that we just raise the level of security a bit!

I appreciate the offer of a hog leg, but because of the darkness and the neighborhood, the shotgun is the better choice for me. Don't have to see as well, and the very sight and sound of a shell being chambered is often enough, if you know what I mean!

Of course, in close quarters the 6 cell Mag light I was carrying can help to get someones attention as well!

Let's just say I won't bring a knife to a gunfight! Now days, empty handed is empty headed!

Thanks for coming by today, buddy!


Hey K...
I am glad as well, my friend! Sun is shining just now...so maybe it will turn out to be a good day after all!

Enjoy the band practice! Nothing like making some music to brighten the day!

Thanks for coming by today, Girl!

Felinae said...

I am glad to hear that Mama Hermit is ok and that she did not open the door. Good thing you were close at hand. :)

We have rain here again as well, but then we've had it all week. I'm not complaining though, we need it.

Have a great day,
Hugs~Felinae~

Felinae said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Felinae said...

sorry about the delete, Uncle Hermit, for some reason it posted 2x :(

Hugs~Felinae~

HermitJim said...

Hey Felinae...
Looking at the weather news for California...it does appear that Mother Nature has been giving you a fair share of rain lately! But like you said, you needed it!

I'll share your good thoughts with Mom...and I do appreciate you coming by today!

Mamma Bear said...

Oh my... I am glad you live close enough to keep Mama Hermit safe!

My Mama bought a little travel trailer and now lives on our property. I am happy every thing turned out well.

Ryan said...

I habitually go to the door with a loaded pistol. If it is my neighbor or a friend it is easy enough to holster a pistol or put it in the pocket of a bathrobe or whatnot. No reason to freak out a neighbor who wants to borrow a cup of sugar.

When I had roomies I was a lot more liberal about opening the door. I sort of figures the odds of someone home invading 2-3 broke college students was slim and I had a foot behind the door and a pistol handy.

Nowadays it is just Wifey and I. Unless I know someone I do not open the door.

Gwen said...

I'm just catching up on your blog and found this disturbing account. I hope you and Mom are ok! I remember one Sunday night in our house on Briar Forest when someone tried to kick in the door. Thank goodness that Honey, our late and beloved guard dog (see her photo on my blog), was on standby and let the fur fly, literally! We had trouble after we moved to Cypress, too, and Honey was once again on guard. I'm not sure what I would have done without her. Take care of yourself, ok?