[nadja]

This is an email I just got from a friend of mine who has a ranch in Oklahoma, very rural and only put it here to show you what does happen out here in the woods.


Last night, about dusk, Sara was home alone, Mary was in town at grocery store, I was 100 miles away. A car with 3 scruffy guys drove up, one got out and rang the doorbell. Sara knows not to open the door, and had gone in another room where she could observe what was going on outside by reflections on mirrors and glass doors. I taught her that, and it works well. She saw the other two get out, and heard them discuss that they think the owners (my parents) died. She observed one guy walk to the back side of the house, and heard discussions that they would come back at night; that they might take a pickup parked in the drive........ She tried calling me, but, as often, I didn't hear my phone. She called the neighbor wife, 1/2 mile away. Sara called Mary, who immediately came home (10 minutes away). The guys left before neighbor arrived, but she has a good description of them and the car. Neighbor arrived, meanwhile Mary called wife of guy I was with, who called him, got message to me; I called another neighbor. Mary didn't realize that this was county jurisdiction; she tried to contact the city police to no avail. They now know. They spent evening with wife of the guy I was with until we got back home.
Today they are gone shopping, I'm in house, quietly waiting for suspects to return. I think I'll take a nap. I'm really grumpy and mean when I am awakened from a nap by strangers. I won't be nice. I won't open the door.

Lessons: Got to get a dog. Sara knows to call neighbors first then 911 next time. She knows where to hide and how to protect herself; and I'll have her practice more, as we haven't done any in over a month. A couple weeks ago I had told S & M that this would be a heightened season for theft approaching Christmas. Good thing, I have good neighbors.

 

[whoppo]

With the BG's suggesting a night-time return, I would hope the house/property is well lit at night, either with full time lighting or motion sensor lights to reinforce that the house is occupied.
If there's a vehicle in the driveway that's infrequently used, just move it a little every other day or so (backed in one day, nose-in the next).
It's been my experience that opportunistic BG's like these are less likely to intrude upon an active household.

 

[Lucky Jim]

Sounds like they were just 3 bozos sniffing around for the hell of it, I wouldn't take them too serious.
REAL bad guys would come in the dead of night when people are asleep, in which case motion-sensor alarms and outside lighting would probably scare them off..

 

[badey]

I don't know the whole situation, but it sounds like you and yours should get some guns and armed self-defense training too

 

[Lucky Jim]

And a CCTV cam (even a dummy) would probably scare bozos off if they think their mugs have been captured on film.

 

[AquaHull]

I'd leave it dark, I see real good at night, like a TomCat

 

[preppermama]

I'd leave it dark and buy a night vision scope and some bear traps

 

[Rocky]

What ever you do, here's wishing you luck. Be careful. Even dumb bad guys can get lucky.

 

[kyletx1911a1]

Trust no one arm yourself. No more no less. Any one unannounced gets shot

 

[Sr40ken]

Wel,l in Oklahoma selfdefense is a good word.

 

[Denton]

I'd leave it dark and buy a night vision scope and some bear traps

Hot-dang, I like that!

 

[nadja]

This happened to my friend, not me. However, we talked quite awhile on the phone yesterday afterwords, and he is ready, like most of us would like to be. He doesn't have any yard lights though, but that will soon change. Also, I talked him into getting a dog. He would be a force to recon with beyond a doubt.

 

[sbasacco]

a moat with some alligators should do the trick!!...lol...in all seriousness though, with the lack of a police presence in the rural area, neighbours are all that we have to help us out at times. I would by them a nice bottle of Crown for Christmas with a thank you card for sure. Good story.