November 9, 2008, 07:52 PM | #151 | |
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From Buckhammer:
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You have undoubtedly noted that I was not "clearing a house," nor was I "investigating a noise." I knew that there was a fight going on and that at least my mother was endangered. I went to her aid. I knew that the intruder was occupied with violence and not with looking out for an approaching homeowner. Fortunately he was alone. I have related what happened. Whether I did the wise thing I do not know, but based on what I saw when I got there and on the outcome, I think so. I did not think I had a reasonable choice. But if someone or something is making noise in the house, and if the family is secure, I do have a choice, and the wise one is to not venture forth into a situation in which I am likely to be ambushed. See the point? |
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November 10, 2008, 01:00 PM | #152 | |
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November 10, 2008, 01:50 PM | #153 | |
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November 10, 2008, 06:34 PM | #154 | |
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November 11, 2008, 06:43 AM | #155 | |
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Type 1 noises are things like breaking doors or glass, family members in trouble, voices of strangers close by, argumentative voices, etc. These are generally "obvious trouble" noises. Type 2 noises are those that may be someone stealing from your property or trying to get in. They indicate something unusual. The sound of a car door closing, the clank of a wrench or tool, a window squeaking, etc. Yet these same noises may be "innocent" noises made by a neighbor or some other legitimate reason (such as a an animal snooping by the tool shed). Type 3 noises are those that you generally dismiss unless they repeat or have some unusual quality. House creaks, branches scraping a window on a windy night, a small thumping noise accompained by the sound of the cat's bell, all of these you normally ignore. It is those Type-2 noises we check out before calling 911. They could have innocent origins, such as your neighbors coming home late at night. We are all glad when our fears are unfounded when it is something "normal". None of us wants to waste the time of our police. Nor call them without checking and later listen to a neighbor describe how they were proned out on their own wet grass in their finest evening wear after returning from the Opera.
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November 11, 2008, 10:18 AM | #156 | |
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It's your call. |
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November 11, 2008, 11:09 AM | #157 | |
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From Fiddletown:
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I don't see any reasonable approach other than listening further, without exposing myself to risk. The primary risk is that of being ambushed, of course, but if one's concept of checking something out involves going forth with a firearm, other key risks involve shooting an innocent person or being charged with a gun crime. All for the sake of property. None of the foregoing would be to my liking. I speak as a civilian. A policeman within his own jurisdiction would have different obligations and indemnities and frankly, would be better trained. The extent of any action he might take without calling for help? Perhaps an LEO might care to comment. |
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November 11, 2008, 11:20 AM | #158 | |
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November 12, 2008, 05:32 AM | #159 | |
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Another downside is the "Cry Wolf" syndrome. It's often associated with the elderly. Here in the SFBA when I was studying LE in college, a local agency had an elderly woman named Giselle who would usually call once or twice a week hearing "prowlers" around her place. Typically the noise would come from an gate she forgot to secure, the wind knocking garbage can lids off, cats mating/fighting, a broken branch of some bush rubbing a wall or window. that sort of thing. The police were nice to her because she was a widow, in her 80's and carried a number tattooed on her forearm. But you've guessed the downside, haven't you? One night a veteran officer got the call, drove by and saw nothing. He parked two houses away and on foot checked the house out. His backup was another 30 seconds away when he frantically radioed "Code 30! Shots fired! I've been shot!" His career ended that night with a .45 Colt round shattering his collarbone and lodging in his left shoulder socket. The 19 year old perp tried to get his Python but got the officer's fingers in his eyes and fled. Fortunately a responding unit caught him, still holding the Ruger SA and he gave it up without a fight. When it was over, there were 26 police units from 4 different agencies in front of the house. The officer had let his guard down entering the back yard, expecting a cat, dog or some other simple explanation. Only this time it was a real intruder.
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November 12, 2008, 10:28 AM | #160 | ||
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November 12, 2008, 06:04 PM | #161 | ||
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