I think my house was being scoped

First off I’ll say I’m a somewhat paranoid person. I was raised with survival skills and sometimes that doesn’t let down.

A couple of weird things I’ve noticed.

Several weeks ago a strange car stops in front of my house, I don’t mean a quick stop, I mean like sits in front of my house. I’m pulling out my car and the person freaks out. She tries to do a U turn in my neighbors driveway. I get a very close look and she waves her hand like sorry sorry. She speeds off. It wasn’t natural and was very suspicious.
Ok weird but whatever.

Then I’ve seen non neighbors walking by. Again, maybe nothing but still not that common here.

THEN, this is the big one. My son and I are sitting on the porch, from the street you can’t really see us. A junky car pulls in my driveway. This dude walks up and I say “can I help you?” He said he was a realtor, and I stopped him abruptly “thank you but not interested”.
He tried to talk some more, walk closer and again I say “not interested”. He tells me he just wants to “have a conversation” That is when the Asian came out in me. I told him is he ignorant or what? when someone tells you three times they aren’t interested it’s time to get a *&&^% clue.
My son was ready to lay hand, which I did not want to happen because he is a very big man and it would not have ended well for this dude.
My beautiful pup barked at the perfect moment. Something about this guy was off, either he was a new realtor or wasn’t….I read people very well and it was very off and just bothered me. I also felt like he didn’t really want to talk, but that he wanted to get closer to the front door, which wasn’t happening.

If it were one thing, or two, I’d probably overlook it but three things in a span of weeks is kinda weird. (Not normal in our parts)
I do have cameras, and some hidden. Our house is almost never empty, someone is almost always home. We have a very loud dog.
Oddly the lady turning around gave me more pause than the “realtor” guy. Is it possible she was interested in the house and asked a realtor to check if we were in the market….possible but somehow my spidey senses doesn’t think that’s it, and my instincts have never failed me.

I have kids home from college and have a ton of cars in the driveway and that may be attracting unsavory people. Not much I can do about it, except be aware.

Here’s the funny thing. Our neighborhood would be the absolute worst neighborhood in the world to rob. Almost everyone works from home. Cameras up the yin yang.
This is an area of hunters. Heck you can see the deer stands in some backyards. Dogs everywhere. Good luck to the poor fool that tries, there are some people out here that salivate at the thought of a break in so they can “express their rights”….

Just curious, if you were a former criminal or in law enforcement, do you think those things were scoping?

Potential burglars maybe ,yes? Get a security system maybe , extra protection, especially linked to the local police station

a reply to: JAGStorm

Those events would certainly have me on high alert. It's not uncommon for neighborhoods to be scoped out and then wait 2-3 months before taking any action.
I find the 'realtor' guy driving a junkheap to be especially suspect.

Stay safe, Jag!

a reply to: JAGStorm


I don’t like it at all! Strategically place weapons around your house.

originally posted by: KTemplar
a reply to: JAGStorm


I don’t like it at all! Strategically place weapons around your house.

I hear ya!

Unlike these country folks, I grew up all over and we lock our windows and doors and car doors, and the door from the garage to house.
I know a lot of people out here that have never locked their doors, even when vacationing....😲

a reply to: JAGStorm


I will never understand that ever. Leaving your place unlocked, cars etc.

I have had a guy attempt to get in my place threw a screen door that was locked, as soon as his hand pulled on it, my dog and the dog I was dogsitting came flying out of the bedroom. He had showed up a week prior pretending to be taking surveys for a local nail salon?

A friend of mine helped a couple out once, let them stay at her place for free so they could get on their feet.

She was an overnight caregiver so not always home. She came home one morning to find her house on fire, her husbands truck missing and husband and dog missing. Those two sh$tangs shot her husband to death, set the house on fire, stole the dog and pickup truck for $40.00. They were caught praise god.

Also, although my friend and her husband were kind generous people, they were not fools. Both were very street smart.

I trust no one! The gift of fear by Gavin Debecker is one of the best books I ever read!

a reply to: KTemplar

I have had a guy attempt to get in my place threw a screen door that was locked, as soon as his hand pulled on it, my dog and the dog I was dogsitting came flying out of the bedroom. He had showed up a week prior pretending to be taking surveys for a local nail salon?

You'd best believe he would be missing his hand if he attempted that here.
I've learned that I'm 100% fight when it comes to fight or flight, like seriously 100000% I can't even control it.
My initial instints if that happened would be to go straight for my chinese butchers knife.

Always pay attention to your instincts, you mentioned your kids being home? perhaps these were people they knew? Not inferring they are doing anything nefarious, just when you are out you sometimes pick up acquaintances that aren't necessarily friends, if that makes sense.

My brother had his car stolen out of our driveway, and it was by a couple of guys he knew but wasn't friends or hung out with.

originally posted by: putnam6
Always pay attention to your instincts, you mentioned your kids being home? perhaps these were people they knew? Not inferring they are doing anything nefarious, just when you are out you sometimes pick up acquaintances that aren't necessarily friends, if that makes sense.

My brother had his car stolen out of our driveway, and it was by a couple of guys he knew but wasn't friends or hung out with.

My kids are adults and I know their friends so we can rule that out. My son was as taken aback by the "realtor".
Also the two people I saw were not in that age group (20's) More like 40s.

Always pay attention to your instincts

I agree with this, as I said I'm a little on the paranoid side (was almost abducted twice in my life) so I am just hyper aware of things.

I am also aware with this economy people are getting desperate. Stores are now hiring security. Gas is crazy, food is crazy. People might be trying things they haven't before and that's unfortunate.

a reply to: JAGStorm

Yeah, you're correct to be wary. The people walking by might not mean much, but the other two instances are bell ringers.

Stay safe Jag.

Cheers

a reply to: JAGStorm

Immediately call the local PD or sheriff's office and speak to an LEO. Tell him or her, "could be something, could be nothing", but you would would like to have your residence put on a regular patrol check. They will ask for car descriptions, descriptions of the people, times, dates, etc. Sit in a quiet place and write down all you can remember so you can relay it to the officer. Your safety and your family's well being are most important.

Do not let your guard down, could be nothing, but it could be something...

a reply to: JAGStorm

What do you think they were after? Your Precious Moments collection or the secret family recipe for kimchi?

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
a reply to: JAGStorm

What do you think they were after? Your Precious Moments collection or the secret family recipe for kimchi?

Gag, I can't stand precious moments, but my family Kimchi recipe is worth committing a crime for!

What do I think they are after, what are all burglars after, cash, jewelry, electronics, weapons...

a reply to: JAGStorm

If you have video of the car pulling into your drive with the relator ,run the number plates with the local police and dig a big hole you may have your first human sacrifice coming

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2
a reply to: JAGStorm

Yeah, you're correct to be wary. The people walking by might not mean much, but the other two instances are bell ringers.

Stay safe Jag.

Cheers

Back to the walking people. So where I live is in a neighborhood but it is rural and lots are huge. We do not have any sidewalks.
When people walk here it's usually because they live in the neighborhood. It would be difficult for people to just walk here for leisure. They would have to park somewhere and then walk here.

a reply to: JAGStorm

Be careful JAG. I don't know you and I may be an arse on here at times, but I do honestly care about you all and don't want anything bad happening to any of you.

originally posted by: JAGStorm
Gag, I can't stand precious moments, but my family Kimchi recipe is worth committing a crime for!

I meant Hummel's, sorry, but I was leaning towards the ancient kimchi recipe.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: JAGStorm
Gag, I can't stand precious moments, but my family Kimchi recipe is worth committing a crime for!

I meant Hummel's, sorry, but I was leaning towards the ancient kimchi recipe.

I have one Hummel in my house and that’s only because someone put it here. I’m not a tchotchke kind of person.
So if a burglar is looking for grandma type of collectibles they are really hitting the wrong place. I do like antiques but the vast majority couldn’t be taken out easily.

Before my mom passed she taught me the family kimchi recipe. I’d say it’s as close to ancient as it gets as she recommends for me to bury the pot in the snow for winter kimchi.

originally posted by: tamusan
a reply to: JAGStorm

Be careful JAG. I don't know you and I may be an arse on here at times, but I do honestly care about you all and don't want anything bad happening to any of you.

That is so kind. I appreciate that ATS is one of the few places we can really agree to disagree, and still care for each other. When did it all go astray irl?
That is such a rare thing these days.

a reply to: JAGStorm

Well, here's the deal, next time I show up like that just give me the damn kimchi recipe and I won't have to pretend to be a realtor.