The 5 AM "knock on the door" is never good news.....

docbennett

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When the cops surround your house with about 5 patrol cars, and then start knocking on the door at 4:45 AM, it's usually to arrest the homeowner. I've learned over the years (in my forensic day job) that this early hour is the best time to grab the disoriented perp. And that's exactly what we were awakened to this morning.

The good news....So....at least they weren't there to arrest me.

The bad news.....apparently some local thieves have a "hi-end car ring" that have been stealing cars in the neighborhood. The cops had responded to a nearby car alarm when they actually saw some suspicious people milling around our two cars in the driveway....they attempted to detain them, but they got away. However, the cars had been broken into....some non-valuable items were taken (goodbye to Ginger's two pairs of sneakers....5 lb. dumbbells, and her entire "Jazzercize" travel bag"). So..we had a perimeter violation, and the cars had to be investigated for any clues...first by the local Montville police...later by the Morris County detectives.

Oh...some related good news....I didn't have to go to work today. I was told that the cars needed to be left in the driveway for investigative purposes. Called in, and was told that "emergency annual leave" is the proper type of category for my missed day at the Veteran's Administration Hospital.

Hey...I've been delaying for YEARS going to the local police department to drop off my completed firearms permit. I'm fully trained in the use and safe keeping of handguns....and I go to the range semi-regularly with my friends...but I've never owned a firearm. that will change. Hopefully, it will never be used. But...it will feel more secure knowing we have a locked firearm in the house available, if absolutely necessary. I'll pass on the assault rifle with more than 10 rounds in the clip....I'll decide on the proper caliber handgun that will be kept locked and secure and will hopefully only be used on the target range. However, this leaves a bad taste in your mouth, knowing your privacy and potential safety have been compromised.

So...I'll be home today interrogating my Airedale and trying to find out why he alerted us as soon as the police cars drove up.....but didn't say a word while the perps were screwing around with our cars in the driveway.
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Selective vigilance.
 
This is crazy! Glad you and your family are ok, and just a few things were taken (as opposed to a whole house full of stuff and/or keepsakes).

I've had my house broken into twice (robbed the first time + busted their progress the 2nd time, when all my guitars were ready to go out the front door) when I was still on the south side of Chicago. I absolutely despise thieves.

Enjoy your day off though! :)
 
At this point I want to state I'm so glad I HAVE NOTHING VALUABLE AT MY HOME. Every piece of gear is in studio. No cash whatsoever. I sleep on the floor, listening to old school china made radio. :violin:

Glad you're ok, Doc, get the gun, however I would make it a little more accesible - in case things go fast...
 
Doc, glad everyone is safe and that the items stolen are easily replaced. Try and enjoy the day off. Take care my man.
 
Federally speaking, we don't knock and depending on the violation, we usually hit at 6am ;)

Glad to hear they stopped the suspects though, I can't imagine having a car stolen!
 
I once came home late to a thief inside my home. He broke through my front window to escape. I caught the little bastid & held him down for 20 minutes, while the police came. He had stolen about 100 albums & 20 bottles of liquor from my bar. Johnny Law took all that for evidence. The court found the dude guilty, gave him probation, & ordered him to pay restitution. Yup, never got any restitution. Never got any of the liquor back. Did get the albums back.





















Moral of the story: Really............................... what a fine system :rolleyes:
 
If memory serves, Phenny came pretty close to goin' all "Joe Horn" on a guy robbing one of his neighbors.
 
I had a 3 day old Corvette stolen back in the 70s. I was pissed, but honestly, there are worse things than having a car stolen.

Glad you're safe.
 
Hey...I've been delaying for YEARS going to the local police department to drop off my completed firearms permit. I'm fully trained in the use and safe keeping of handguns....and I go to the range semi-regularly with my friends...but I've never owned a firearm. that will change. Hopefully, it will never be used. But...it will feel more secure knowing we have a locked firearm in the house available, if absolutely necessary. I'll pass on the assault rifle with more than 10 rounds in the clip....I'll decide on the proper caliber handgun that will be kept locked and secure and will hopefully only be used on the target range. However, this leaves a bad taste in your mouth, knowing your privacy and potential safety have been compromised.

It is good that everyone is physically safe.

Psychologically, I understand what is going on as well. I have been involved with advanced firearm use for both sport and personal protection for a long time. I took Masaad Ayoob's "Lethal Force Institute class back when I got serious about self protection. I run competitive shooting competitions that have practical self defense aspects.

Weekend sport shooting does not translate to real self-defense training. Take a course. Then take another. Get really serious about it and take the Ayoob or similar immersion course.

Participate at least monthly in IDPA or IPSC matches. There is NO substitute for the pressure of shooting a stage. When the feces impact the rotational air distribution device, the familiarity of the stress produced by competing will be less of a hindrance and mind number. You will already have had to choose between shoot (bad guy) and no-shoot (good guy) targets on the fly. You will already have had to reload under pressure or clear a jam. You simply cannot duplicate the scenario pressures by shooting with friends informally.
 
Glad you are OKAY. :)

Get training - use it.

The matches that Rugerpc mentions are fun - IDPA, IPSC( USPSA here in the States ) Think of it as "taking lessons" then "playing a gig"... I don't know about you but I learn a bunch whenever I get the opportunity to play out. ;-)

Whatever you buy - get a safe and bolt it down - keep the bad guys from carting it off ;)
 
I'm glad nobody was hurt. I'm with you on the handgun and training idea. Things could have gone much differently, as the (bad) news illustrates every day.

Lloyd
 
I'm in the Law Enforcement and sounds like a typical work day for police officers.....too bad they didn't get them.
 
Just an FYI, and thanks to all of you.....IMO handguns are a last resort, and are best kept locked in a safe place with a trigger guard, with key to trigger guard safely placed next to the panic button on the silent alarm that we do have next to the bed. I'm really not a self defense fanatic, and I agree with everything posted. A gun should be used for self defense as a total last resort, IMO. Range shooting is fun. Self defense is something you need to learn and hope never to have to use.
 
Rugerpc is right on the money. Im a biker, I have two machines one being a near mint kaw zx-9. I have been to Jason Pridmore star school racing because reacting properly to an emergency situation doesnt happen riding public roads. Advanced courses teach you how to react when you find yourself in a panic situation. I cant see where self defense emergencies would be different from traffic emergencies, you have to know how to react when its your time. It will help you live longer.
 
Rugerpc is right on the money. Im a biker, I have two machines one being a near mint kaw zx-9. I have been to Jason Pridmore star school racing because reacting properly to an emergency situation doesnt happen riding public roads. Advanced courses teach you how to react when you find yourself in a panic situation. I cant see where self defense emergencies would be different from traffic emergencies, you have to know how to react when its your time. It will help you live longer.

Amen, brother.
 
Glad you all are ok.
Guns are a hot commodity right now. MD has a 7-10 day waiting period while they do a background check. They're currently so backed up that tomorrow will be week 4 of my wait.
Good luck and be safe.
 
Sorry to hear this Doc, I had a similar experience in my neighborhood a couple years ago, no cops showing up but a break in to my car. Its sucks and it proves that it can happen in any neighborhood. Glad it wasnt worse.
 
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