Here's what happened last night.

Kind of another "what would you do". It's 1:45 and the doorbell rings!!

I heard it once, but kind of incorporated it into my dream... then the 2nd time I knew what it was. It rang 3 times before we got out of bed - went downstairs.

I stayed (with the cordless phone in hand) on the stairs out of view while my husband opened the door. It was two guys in their 20's who said someone had run them off of the road and their car was in the ditch about 1/2 mile down (we live in the country). They could see our 4 wheel drive truck and wanted my husband to pull them out. Well, he was a bit reluctant (a lot reluctant). They were dressed in camo and black, weird hair, a few piercings (I hope no one takes offense). Anyway, it was just SO freaky being the middle of the night - wondering if they had been drinking (and that was why they were in the ditch) or drugs etc. He told them he couldn't help and we went back to bed. Couldn't sleep of course. Then we thought of all the things we should have done... offered to let them use the phone etc.

About 30 minutes later the doorbell rings again! Yikes. Well, it's them again saying they couldn't get any neighbors to answer the door. My husband says he can't pull them out but we could call the police, a tow truck or let them use our phone... then the guy says "we have a cell phone" DUH - then use it! So my husband suggested they call a family member to help them out. That was the end of it.

Anyway, I feel SO bad for us not helping. I feel the 'help your neighbor' thing has gone to heck in a handbasket, but these days everything can be so risky.

I would have been just the same... if I was in your position I would have ignored the doorbell I'm afraid!! Still, I'm glad you made the effort to stay safe. I hope the guys got the help they needed if of course it was a genuine situation, but like you say, you can never be too sure these days.

I don't blame you one bit for acting the way you did!

I wouldn't have even answered the door! You can never be too sure these days - at least you and your husband are safe!

Is the car out of the ditch now?

Originally Posted by babyharley

I wouldn't have even answered the door! You can never be too sure these days

Is the car out of the ditch now?

Click to expand...

I think we are seriously considering not answering the door from now on. I don't know about the car - we haven't been anywhere this morning, but as soon as we do go - we'll be looking for signs if one was in the ditch or not.

On Christmas Eve (about 11pm) we had a similar situation - a gal was in our front yard screaming for help. By the time we got downstairs she was already on her way (Running down the road). She did seem a bit strung out if you know what I mean. I felt bad for not helping her too.

they had a cell phone but would rather wake up a stranger at almost 2am?!

Honestly, I think you did the right thing. Maybe I've been watching too much CourtTV, but there are a lot of crazy people out there who appear to their victims as people in need.

And if they already HAD a phone??? that would be the first thing I would use in that situation as opposed to ringing strange doorbells.


(P.S. Piercings aren't ALWAYS bad I've got a few!)

I would have done exactly what you did. The difference being..if I was by myself I wouldn't have answered the door at all. You can never be too careful IMO.

I would have ignored the doorbell too. I don't answer the door unless I am expecting someone. Paranoid I guess... I bet karma will get me some day for that but I'd too afraid to answer the door these days! I put a no soliciting sign on my door so I usually don't have too many callers luckily!

I dont answer the front door at night when i am on my own.

If it is a friend they call at the back door anyway.

Originally Posted by jeanor

I think we are seriously considering not answering the door from now on. I don't know about the car - we haven't been anywhere this morning, but as soon as we do go - we'll be looking for signs if one was in the ditch or not.

On Christmas Eve (about 11pm) we had a similar situation - a gal was in our front yard screaming for help. By the time we got downstairs she was already on her way (Running down the road). She did seem a bit strung out if you know what I mean. I felt bad for not helping her too.

Click to expand...

My fear for your husband would be that they saw the 4 wheeler as a "play thing" and who knows what would've happened to him. Especially since you said you live out in the country.

Hope they really were stuck in a ditch though. It would be nice to know there are still people who are honest about things these days!

I think you did the right thing. If they had a cell phone, there was an obvious reason why they didn't want to call the police and a tow truck (I had a former boyfriend end up in jail because he slid off the road and was arrested for DUI when the police came with the tow truck). You made the offer to get them help, just not the kind they wanted. I probably would have called the police after the second time just so they could check up on the situation.

I would never answer the door in the middle of the night even if my husband was here with me. Just ignore it and if they persist, call the law. Five miles up the road, a woman answered the door. It was one of their employees so she let him in. Turned out, the man was on drugs. The next morning the daughter found the mutilated bodies of her mother and father in their home.
Moral of the story, never open the door in the middle of the night to anyone.

ok, now I feel much better! I think the new rule here will be no door answering!

Just to clarify things... "I" didn't ever go to the door, my husband answered it and I stayed out of site, but close enough so I could hear and see what was going on.

My daughter and I just drove about 2 miles down the road - a good mile past where they indicated they were. We didn't see a car, or ANY signs of a car being in the ditch. The ground is really wet here, so I know if someone pulled that car out of a ditch, there would be signs.

Thanks for the reassurance