Yes, I'm a nosy neighbor. The kind that watches everything. I guess I'm home during the day, and I like to keep my neighborhood safe. I take Neighborhood Watch seriously.
A young man came to my door claiming to be participating in a magazine contest. I asked him for identification and to see his solicitor's permit. In our village, you need a solicitor's permit if you want to go door to door. He told me he didn't have one, and he was just dropped off by someone else to canvas our neighborhood.
I told the young man politely, he needed to go to city hall and get a permit. He left my doorstep and walked directly to my neighbor's house. So Bee-atch that I am, I called the village to report him.
In our small town, the police are quick. They were at my neighbor's house within 3 minutes ringing her doorbell asking to speak with the solicitor. I'm sure my neighbor is pissed and thinks I'm a busy body, but I don't care. I'd rather my neighborhood be safe.
Part of my beeatchiness is coming from the fact just a few years ago, one of these crack pot magazine sale companies crammed a bunch of teenagers into a van which over turned on the highway. The driver at the time didn't want to be pulled over, so he attempted to switch drivers while going 65mph. Several young lives were senselessly lost that day and now in Wisconsin, we have laws regarding these traveling magazine sales companies.
This neighbor is not directly next to us, but around the back corner. I'm sure she's freaked out to know someone was watching and then called the police. Frankly, I'm shocked she invited the young man into her home.
When strangers come to my door, I step out to meet them, closing the door behind me. My children wait and watch from inside, ready to pick up the phone if needed.
Last summer, while playing in the back garden, to my surprise two Mormon boys decided since we didn't answer the doorbell, it must be ok to walk around to our back yard. Upon seeing the strangers, my youngest decided to run and hide around the corner of the house. He later told me he was watching to see if they were going to harm me, and he was ready to run to the neighbors to call 911.
Yes, I guess DS and I can be a little paranoid, but I'd like to think we are just cautious.
10 comments:
I feel the same way....
You can never be too safe, we recently had magazine sellers also. I was amazed at how packed their van was, it reminded me of the accident you talked about.
It's better to play it safe. Unless I'm expecting some body, I don't tell the dogs to be quiet and answer the door with all three dogs barking like crazy. It's funny watching people's expressions when you tell them, no, you can't open the door more unless they want three large, angry dogs out on the porch with them (when in reality, the dogs would only jump and try to give them kisses, but they don't need to know that....) You never know what a person is carrying on them or what the true intent is, to let them into your house...
Better safe than sorry. I would love to have you for a neighbor! Keep on being that beeatch! LOL
I run our neighborhood watch and what you did was appropriate. You can't be too careful now days...there are just too many scammers and thieves. Some of these people want nothing more than to be invited into a house so that they can case the place....then they come back at night....
We don't have magazine sellers in this area. I think being nosy is a GREAT thing, Dawn :o) Better to be safe than sorry.
Wow wish you were my neighbor. Better to be safe than sorry.
I just don't answer the door. lol
My DH does that...goes out onto the porch to talk. I don't answer the door at all if he's not here, unless it's my sister or my mom.
We have a huge window looking into our living room as you walk up to our door. I can't hide if I have the blinds open, which I usually do to allow the light in and the cool breeze through.
Post a Comment