Scenario: Stranger in the driveway

pdmoderator · April 1, 2002, 05:43 PM

You and your SO are sitting comfortably in the living room, sipping a tall Heckler and Coke and reading back copies of Wal-Mart Ninjitsu, when you hear the sound of a vehicle in your driveway. It's a van from out of state, unmarked, and unexpected.

You wait a few minutes and record the stranger's license number. The stranger doesn't budge.

You have all your defense tools and garden implements handy inside the house.

What now?

- pdmoderator

Texas2NC · April 1, 2002, 05:48 PM

Call the cops and then turn on the outside floods. Let the dogs out into the back yard, watch the front door and wait.

fix · April 1, 2002, 06:53 PM

Call the local TV stations. Nothing scares the BATF more than video cameras.

swsurgeon · April 1, 2002, 09:52 PM

Something close to this happened to a guy I know in West Los Angeles, except that it was a regular car rather than a van. He decided to walk out there and ask the guy to leave. The guy mumbled something about waiting for someone and wouldn't be that long (but he would not move). The homeowner was unhappy about the guy parked in his driveway, tucked a pistol in his belt, and went out to ask again. The cops were eventually called and arrested the homeowner for brandishing a weapon. I can't recall whether the other guy was charged with trespassing or not.

In any event, the advice to call the cops but stay ready is good. The guy I know was stupid to try to run the interloper off with a pistol in his belt.

Rickmeister · April 2, 2002, 11:29 AM

Sipping a tall Heckler and Coke? Not from the muzzle I hope!

Make sure the dude in the van isn't that sleazy long lost cousin of yours from Detroit. If not, dial 911, rack the slide of your USP40, turn on a few lights, and unleash the dobies.

UK2TX · April 2, 2002, 12:38 PM

I would note the licence, check the back of the house ( nothing like pulling up on the drive way to get the FRONT curtains twitching - oh some ones in, turn and depart), give it 5 minutes then call 411 and ask nicely for a drive by, no pun intended, ( it pays to know your local officers - you mean you've never talked to them, shame on you ) or give them the plate in case the vehicle is casing the area. If nothing else the officers may be able to give them directions LOL.

Regards,

UK2TX

foghornl · April 2, 2002, 01:41 PM

Someone pulling into MY driveway trips the x10 "home automation" motion detectors. Chimes in family room, master BR, and guest BR sound, and VCR hidden in basement starts recording "the action" for the next 10 minutes. I flip the TV over to my monitor channel for a peek, while I prepare to "Stand Ready". I don't go open the front door, I just watch and wait. Same setup for the back yard, too.

coz · April 2, 2002, 03:05 PM

You guys are kinda tough.

I think I would watch him for a bit.

Carry two pistols and a backup (concealed per TX Law)

Have my bride with her 9 mm watching from inside the atrium.

Have my son walk to the other side of the car i.e. we would do a double sided approach. Never get closer than 6 feet or so from the vehicle. Most likely walk out to the end of the driveway and approach from the rear (there's a reason policeman approach that way)

My 6 foot son and 6 '1" me would kindly ask if we could help him.

Then react per his/her moves.....

I'm licensed to carry, so no questions about that. I carry now when I take out the trash, get the mail or paper.

If, when approaching the car, the doors open then it's reaction time. I might have to show the weapon just to get my point across if I feel threatened.
On my property, at night, I can at least let him know I'm armed.

gryphon · April 2, 2002, 04:35 PM

Something similar to this happended to me when a bunch of punks burgled my garage. First thing I should have done and did not do was call the cops. This was in broad daylight mind you and they knew that someone was home and the garage door is connected to the living room. I figured that if they were bold enough to burgle, then they might be crazy enough to try and gain entry into the house, so my buddy and I cleared the area and then called the police.

But, in hindsight, I should have just holed up and waited the 20 minutes for the cavalry to arrive.

zot · April 2, 2002, 04:54 PM

turn on those huge spot lights on roof, if the van fires ,detonate
anti-tank mine in driveway!!!

Stonesheep · April 3, 2002, 01:19 AM

...And push over the fake chimney on the roof to display a 50 bmg on a tripod...

swsurgeon · April 3, 2002, 04:36 PM

Or maybe even have that 50 bmg in a bulletproof Lexan turret?

Hey Stonesheep,

If I'm thinking of the right Fort Nelson, I've been through there a couple times. I've even been up to Fort Simpson on a few occasions. You have some wonderful country up there!

HKguy9 · April 3, 2002, 07:10 PM

Cooperate and give them what they want. It isn't their fault they were neglected as CHILDREN! Do it FOR THE CHILDREN!

HKguy9 · April 3, 2002, 07:10 PM

Cooperate and give them what they want. It isn't their fault they were abused as CHILDREN! Do it FOR THE CHILDREN!

Joe Demko · April 4, 2002, 12:53 PM

Use the external loudspeaker to bellow "Get off my property, you freak!", immediately followed by releasing the nanotech-enhanced flesh-eating guard weasels.

Mike11b · April 9, 2002, 11:26 AM

I'm with the "let the dog out" crowd initially. I have a 120 pound American Bulldog with an invisible perimeter dog fence. Letting her out first is like sending out recon. The potential BG's reactions run from hitting reverse and rolling out, to addressing the dog threat. My reaction would be based on that. In DE, you can legally shoot a trespasser in your home , but on the property, you have to have been threatened with phsyical violence. Our driveway runs approximately 500 feet to the back of the house. Taking out the people doing quick u-turns, you're left with a big unknown. Addressing the threat in increments is the way to go...as is having a plan for just this sort of occurrence. as much as we'd all like to recon by fire, we can't. So I guess my answer would be be armed and observe from cover.

April 1, 2002, 05:43 PM	#1
pdmoderator Registration in progress Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,202	Scenario: Stranger in the driveway You and your SO are sitting comfortably in the living room, sipping a tall Heckler and Coke and reading back copies of Wal-Mart Ninjitsu, when you hear the sound of a vehicle in your driveway. It's a van from out of state, unmarked, and unexpected. You wait a few minutes and record the stranger's license number. The stranger doesn't budge. You have all your defense tools and garden implements handy inside the house. What now? - pdmoderator __________________ Give up no state. Give up no ground.

April 1, 2002, 05:48 PM	#2
Texas2NC Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 185	Call the cops and then turn on the outside floods. Let the dogs out into the back yard, watch the front door and wait. __________________ David "Preacher" Slocum http://www.bastaards.org

April 2, 2002, 03:05 PM	#8
coz Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 261	You guys are kinda tough. I think I would watch him for a bit. Carry two pistols and a backup (concealed per TX Law) Have my bride with her 9 mm watching from inside the atrium. Have my son walk to the other side of the car i.e. we would do a double sided approach. Never get closer than 6 feet or so from the vehicle. Most likely walk out to the end of the driveway and approach from the rear (there's a reason policeman approach that way) My 6 foot son and 6 '1" me would kindly ask if we could help him. Then react per his/her moves..... I'm licensed to carry, so no questions about that. I carry now when I take out the trash, get the mail or paper. If, when approaching the car, the doors open then it's reaction time. I might have to show the weapon just to get my point across if I feel threatened. On my property, at night, I can at least let him know I'm armed. __________________ Coz "Yes officer it's loaded, wouldn't be very useful as a throwing weapon now would it?"

April 2, 2002, 04:35 PM	#9
gryphon Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,069	Something similar to this happended to me when a bunch of punks burgled my garage. First thing I should have done and did not do was call the cops. This was in broad daylight mind you and they knew that someone was home and the garage door is connected to the living room. I figured that if they were bold enough to burgle, then they might be crazy enough to try and gain entry into the house, so my buddy and I cleared the area and then called the police. But, in hindsight, I should have just holed up and waited the 20 minutes for the cavalry to arrive. __________________ Your suffering will be legendary, even in HELL!! --- PinHead, HellRaiser 2

April 3, 2002, 07:10 PM	#13
HKguy9 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2001 Posts: 2,132	Cooperate and give them what they want. It isn't their fault they were neglected as CHILDREN! Do it FOR THE CHILDREN! __________________ P7M8, VP9

April 1, 2002, 06:53 PM	#3
fix Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2001 Posts: 919	Call the local TV stations. Nothing scares the BATF more than video cameras.

April 1, 2002, 09:52 PM	#4
swsurgeon Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: Smith Valley, Nevada Posts: 179	Something close to this happened to a guy I know in West Los Angeles, except that it was a regular car rather than a van. He decided to walk out there and ask the guy to leave. The guy mumbled something about waiting for someone and wouldn't be that long (but he would not move). The homeowner was unhappy about the guy parked in his driveway, tucked a pistol in his belt, and went out to ask again. The cops were eventually called and arrested the homeowner for brandishing a weapon. I can't recall whether the other guy was charged with trespassing or not. In any event, the advice to call the cops but stay ready is good. The guy I know was stupid to try to run the interloper off with a pistol in his belt.

April 2, 2002, 11:29 AM	#5
Rickmeister Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 797	Sipping a tall Heckler and Coke? Not from the muzzle I hope! Make sure the dude in the van isn't that sleazy long lost cousin of yours from Detroit. If not, dial 911, rack the slide of your USP40, turn on a few lights, and unleash the dobies.

April 2, 2002, 12:38 PM	#6
UK2TX Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 274	I would note the licence, check the back of the house ( nothing like pulling up on the drive way to get the FRONT curtains twitching - oh some ones in, turn and depart), give it 5 minutes then call 411 and ask nicely for a drive by, no pun intended, ( it pays to know your local officers - you mean you've never talked to them, shame on you ) or give them the plate in case the vehicle is casing the area. If nothing else the officers may be able to give them directions LOL. Regards, UK2TX

April 2, 2002, 01:41 PM	#7
foghornl Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,354	Someone pulling into MY driveway trips the x10 "home automation" motion detectors. Chimes in family room, master BR, and guest BR sound, and VCR hidden in basement starts recording "the action" for the next 10 minutes. I flip the TV over to my monitor channel for a peek, while I prepare to "Stand Ready". I don't go open the front door, I just watch and wait. Same setup for the back yard, too.

April 2, 2002, 04:54 PM	#10
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	turn on those huge spot lights on roof, if the van fires ,detonate anti-tank mine in driveway!!!

April 3, 2002, 01:19 AM	#11
Stonesheep Member Join Date: March 14, 2001 Location: N58-48, W122-41 Posts: 75	...And push over the fake chimney on the roof to display a 50 bmg on a tripod...

April 3, 2002, 04:36 PM	#12
swsurgeon Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2001 Location: Smith Valley, Nevada Posts: 179	Or maybe even have that 50 bmg in a bulletproof Lexan turret? Hey Stonesheep, If I'm thinking of the right Fort Nelson, I've been through there a couple times. I've even been up to Fort Simpson on a few occasions. You have some wonderful country up there!

April 4, 2002, 12:53 PM	#15
Joe Demko Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 1,143	Use the external loudspeaker to bellow "Get off my property, you freak!", immediately followed by releasing the nanotech-enhanced flesh-eating guard weasels. __________________ "No honest man needs a handgun smaller than a canned ham." Bill Ruger

April 9, 2002, 11:26 AM	#16
Mike11b Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2002 Location: Delaware Posts: 139	I'm with the "let the dog out" crowd initially. I have a 120 pound American Bulldog with an invisible perimeter dog fence. Letting her out first is like sending out recon. The potential BG's reactions run from hitting reverse and rolling out, to addressing the dog threat. My reaction would be based on that. In DE, you can legally shoot a trespasser in your home , but on the property, you have to have been threatened with phsyical violence. Our driveway runs approximately 500 feet to the back of the house. Taking out the people doing quick u-turns, you're left with a big unknown. Addressing the threat in increments is the way to go...as is having a plan for just this sort of occurrence. as much as we'd all like to recon by fire, we can't. So I guess my answer would be be armed and observe from cover.