Current Events > Just had a cop knock on my door at 11pm. Was this justified?

(+) Yeah! (+)

My gf and I are on the verge of a fight over this, so clearly the best option is to ask CE what they think lol.

Anyway I get a knock at 11pm, and it's a cop asking if I knew my garage door was open. All the lights in my house are on downstairs so someone is clearly home and awake. He tells me it's a neighborhood safety initiative and it's best to keep it closed at night. I'm kinda blankly staring at him so he asks if I understand what he's saying, I say yeah and ask if it's against the law to have it open at night. He says no it's for safety and that's p much the end of it.

Now my gf thinks I was out of line for being annoyed, her position being they're just patrolling the community to keep us safe. Which I don't disagree with. My position is it's my goddam house and there's a reason that door is open, besides the fact that someone is obviously awake. There's no way someone would be in the garage without me or my dogs seeing them go in or hearing them in there. Personally I don't think it's their place to be disturbing people at any hour to give them safety tips.

What are you guys thoughts on this?

Dude just had nothing to do and was checking up, if he was a dick about stuff I would be on your side but...
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maybe a neighbor was bitching about it and he didnt want to implicate them...

I'd think it was weird, but wouldn't be annoyed or irritated by it.
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So what's the reason it's open?

That's pretty weird. Lots of people have their garage doors open for whatever reason. I did it all the time

I wonder why he singled you out

Karma: 6
Active Posts: 54
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I think you need to calm down and close your d**** garage.
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plot twist: TC has no GF, is actually a murder and is pretending to be the owner whilst stealing the stuff in their garage
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TBH if it's the first time and a brand new initiate I'd prob give it a pass.

They gotta feel you out too (they don't know about dogs and such I presume).

If it happened a second time I'd politely say something and if it was a third I'd be pretty damn annoyed and show it.
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Axiom posted...

That's pretty weird. Lots of people have their garage doors open for whatever reason. I did it all the time

I wonder why he singled you out

It's pretty obvious it's because of the neighborhood he lives in has good security. TC is being oversensitive
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InstaReturns posted...

Dude just had nothing to do and was checking up, if he was a dick about stuff I would be on your side but...

Fair enough, and I don't think he was being a dick


BuckVanHammer posted...

maybe a neighbor was bitching about it and he did want to implicate them...

I'd think it was weird, but wouldn't be annoyed or irritated by it.

Possible. Idk why my neighbors would care though, if anything it sends the message that there's someone up all night that might see any shenanigans

__aCEr__ posted...

So what's the reason it's open?

I don't like to smoke inside

Freddie_Mercury posted...

Karma: 6
Active Posts: 54

And?

yillin posted...

I think you need to calm down and close your d**** garage.

No u

sounds like he wanted to check because it's an unusual sight
also sounds like you are unreasonably bothered that you had to talk to him idk
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prettyprincess posted...

sounds like he wanted to check because it's an unusual sight
also sounds like you are unreasonably bothered that you had to talk to him idk

Yep

I think his GF should leave him, TC is clearly off his rocker
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Blastia posted...

plot twist: TC has no GF, is actually a murder and is pretending to be the owner whilst stealing the stuff in their garage

And I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for you pesky CEmen

Zeeak4444 posted...

TBH if it's the first time and a brand new initiate I'd prob give it a pass.

They gotta feel you out too (they don't know about dogs and such I presume).

If it happened a second time I'd politely say something and if it was a third I'd be pretty damn annoyed and show it.

Well yeah, I'm not gonna call the dept and complain or anything

Bad_Mojo posted...

Axiom posted...

That's pretty weird. Lots of people have their garage doors open for whatever reason. I did it all the time

I wonder why he singled you out

It's pretty obvious it's because of the neighborhood he lives in has good security. TC is being oversensitive

Possibly. All the more reason I was shocked to be discussing home security at 11pm on a Tuesday

prettyprincess posted...

sounds like he wanted to check because it's an unusual sight
also sounds like you are unreasonably bothered that you had to talk to him idk

Would you enjoy getting a knock on the door at 11pm, looking out to see a squad car in the driveway and a cop at your door wanting to talk to you about home security?

My bad, I meant my attitude towards the person at the door all three times. I don't think I'd actually complain until the fourth.
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yeah idk why I wouldn't enjoy literally feeling safer, didn't seem to take long to explain
and you made a point about how you were awake so it's not like I would be being stirred

also I live in baton rouge so if any garage is open that late and nobody can be seen inside of it then I would be surprised to see it and a little concerned too
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If you leave it open maybe it seems inviting to would-be thieves/intruders and that makes the whole neighborhood at possible risk? IDK. I do think you overreacted a bit, but I understand being a little put off by the situation. It's your garage to leave open if you choose.
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CensorErik posted...

If you leave it open maybe it seems inviting to would-be thieves/intruders and that makes the whole neighborhood at possible risk? IDK. I do think you overreacted a bit, but I understand being a little put off by the situation. It's your garage to leave open if you choose.

And the cop didn't tell him he had to close it. Just being nice and letting him know it was still open at 11 at night. I've left things opened before I wished someone was kind enough to let me know.
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prettyprincess posted...

yeah idk why I wouldn't enjoy literally feeling safer, didn't seem to take long to explain
and you made a point about how you were awake so it's not like I would be being stirred

also I live in baton rouge so if any garage is open that late and nobody can be seen inside of it then I would be surprised to see it and a little concerned too

I live in a small town of about 12k and crime is virtually non existent. I have a black lab who is very protective, and a bull terrier who's dumb af but he'd protect us. Then there's my home security system and firearms. I feel pretty safe.
I sit on my couch, by the largest window. There's absolutely no way someone could walk into my garage without me seeing it or my motion detector lights going off. I was stirred in the sense that I had to put my dogs away, turn my t.v. down, pause my game etc.

CensorErik posted...

If you leave it open maybe it seems inviting to would-be thieves/intruders and that makes the whole neighborhood at possible risk? IDK. I do think you overreacted a bit, but I understand being a little put off by the situation. It's your garage to leave open if you choose.

That was actually his exact stance, it invites crime. Which if the lights were off I would completely agree with. I probably did take too much offense to it, idk. I don't like being around cops and really don't like them knocking on my door since as far as I'm concerned we really have no reason to ever cross paths, I stay out of trouble

Bad_Mojo posted...

CensorErik posted...

If you leave it open maybe it seems inviting to would-be thieves/intruders and that makes the whole neighborhood at possible risk? IDK. I do think you overreacted a bit, but I understand being a little put off by the situation. It's your garage to leave open if you choose.

And the cop didn't tell him he had to close it. Just being nice and letting him know it was still open at 11 at night. I've left things opened before I wished someone was kind enough to let me know.

But if the lights are on and someone is clearly home, does it not stand to reason I'm fully aware of the current state of my garage door? For all he knows I just got home from work.

And for all he knows, maybe that person genuinely forgot to lock it up and thought he should let them know. Just explain and done.
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I get your not wanting to be bothered, but there's no way for him to know your precautions or status without checking either and I've certainly met enough spatially unaware people to no longer default toward assuming everyone has it together

but I also just value the idea of knowing others are watching out even if I don't need it
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The_Russians posted...

Bad_Mojo posted...

CensorErik posted...

If you leave it open maybe it seems inviting to would-be thieves/intruders and that makes the whole neighborhood at possible risk? IDK. I do think you overreacted a bit, but I understand being a little put off by the situation. It's your garage to leave open if you choose.

And the cop didn't tell him he had to close it. Just being nice and letting him know it was still open at 11 at night. I've left things opened before I wished someone was kind enough to let me know.

But if the lights are on and someone is clearly home, does it not stand to reason I'm fully aware of the current state of my garage door? For all he knows I just got home from work.

Exactly. The proper way to handle it would have been to make another pass by at a later time and if your lights were off then maybe let you know. He sounds a little overzealous

I leave some of my garages open all the time, but I wouldnt care if a cop let me know. Id be more surprised how he opened my gate and got up my driveway without security alerting me.
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I just had a flashback to the beginning of Home Alone when Joe Pesci is dressed like a cop. TC, get the Hot Wheels and paint cans ready!
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Axiom posted...

The_Russians posted...

Bad_Mojo posted...

CensorErik posted...

If you leave it open maybe it seems inviting to would-be thieves/intruders and that makes the whole neighborhood at possible risk? IDK. I do think you overreacted a bit, but I understand being a little put off by the situation. It's your garage to leave open if you choose.

And the cop didn't tell him he had to close it. Just being nice and letting him know it was still open at 11 at night. I've left things opened before I wished someone was kind enough to let me know.

But if the lights are on and someone is clearly home, does it not stand to reason I'm fully aware of the current state of my garage door? For all he knows I just got home from work.

Exactly. The proper way to handle it would have been to make another pass by at a later time and if your lights were off then maybe let you know. He sounds a little overzealous

TC was already bothered the cop knocked at 11pm and you think it'd be better if he had to knock later? We'd be seeing the news tomorrow about some bizarre attack on a cop in the suburbs somewhere. XFD
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If tc got all his shit stolen I'm sure he'd blame the lazy cops not patrolling
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26_Sandman_39 posted...

To be honest I'm surprised you're alive to tell this story. I'm sure his pampers were soiled at the sound of your life-threatening tone.

First post best post
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You say thanks for looking out for me have a great night. Close door and move the fuck on with your life
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DiegoSanchez206 posted...

If tc got all his shit stolen I'm sure he'd blame the lazy cops not patrolling

I'd actually be pissed off at my security system and dogs, tbh. CW_McGraw posted...

26_Sandman_39 posted...

To be honest I'm surprised you're alive to tell this story. I'm sure his pampers were soiled at the sound of your life-threatening tone.

First post best post

I liked it, just didn't want to turn it into that kind of topic. Although I do live in MN and tensions here with police are understandably high.

CensorErik posted...

TC was already bothered the cop knocked at 11pm and you think it'd be better if he had to knock later? We'd be seeing the news tomorrow about some bizarre attack on a cop in the suburbs somewhere. XFD

Yknow, had my lights been off and I'd been asleep, I honestly would not have had a problem with that.

josifrees posted...

You say thanks for looking out for me have a great night. Close door and move the fuck on with your life

No u

It's a discussion and it's been very civil up to this point. Not like I demanded his badge number or am even implying it was a big deal, just curious about other's opinion on this.

Closes door
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The_Russians posted...

Would you enjoy getting a knock on the door at 11pm, looking out to see a squad car in the driveway and a cop at your door wanting to talk to you about home security?

god forbid a cop go out of his way to try and do something nice these days...
if no-one answered he may have taken that as the occupants of the home falling asleep with the lights on (thats a thing, yeah) and just shut the door himself so it doesn't look like a giant burglar beacon. you were awake and knew so he left it. overstepping his bounds? technically, i guess. dude's just trying to keep your shit safe.
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The_Russians posted...

What are you guys thoughts on this?

You acted like a degenerate.
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Back_Stabbath posted...

The_Russians posted...

Would you enjoy getting a knock on the door at 11pm, looking out to see a squad car in the driveway and a cop at your door wanting to talk to you about home security?

god forbid a cop go out of his way to try and do something nice these days...
if no-one answered he may have taken that as the occupants of the home falling asleep with the lights on (thats a thing, yeah) and just shut the door himself so it doesn't look like a giant burglar beacon. you were awake and knew so he left it. overstepping his bounds? technically maybe, dude's just doing his job.

So you'd be ok with a cop literally entering your home while you were asleep? That's where you and I part ways, friend.

He left it because yeah, at that point I absolutely would have raised hell and demanded a badge number if a cop enters my home for any reason without permission. I've stated I have firearms and dogs. I hear someone in my garage at 11pm I'm gonna check it out and I'm gonna be prepared for the worst. Can you imagine all the ways that could go horribly awry? And why while hood intentioned, it's beyond innapropriate to enter someone's home without even their knowledge?

what? no. idk. i have a mental picture in my head of your front door (which this officer knocked on right) and your garage door being accessible from the outside. like this or whatever:


if the officer literally just had to swing it closed on his way out, no i'd have no issue at all. if he had to break into my home to do so then obviously that's not cool. but that's also absurd. freaking out about the officer smelling a crack habit or something?
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If you lived where I do, and left the door open long enough unintended for a cop to notice and tell you about it, you would have nothing in there when you walked back to it.

Cop was nice and there was nothing wrong with those actions, siding with GF
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Back_Stabbath posted...

what? no. idk. i have a mental picture in my head of your front door (which this officer knocked on right) and your garage door being accessible from the outside. like this or whatever:


if the officer literally just had to swing it closed on his way out, no i'd have no issue at all. if he had to break into my home to do so then obviously that's not cool. but that's also absurd. sketching out about the officer smelling a crack habit or something?

Close, I wish my house was that big and nice. There's a big ass main window, the front door right next to it, then the garage door a couple feet after that. To close my door he'd have to either manually do it with the cord which would make a ton of noise and scare the shit out of me. Prompting a trip outside with at least the dogs to investigate who TF is in my garage. Baaaaaad situation. Or he'd have to walk all the way in and hit the switch on the wall, trapping him inside.
Id be "sketching out" over an officer illegally entering my home knowing damn well I'm home and awake. I feel that's valid in your hypothetical scenario.



Squidkids posted...

If you lived where I do, and left the door open long enough unintended for a cop to notice and tell you about it, you would have nothing in there when you walked back to it.

Cop was nice and there was nothing wrong with those actions, siding with GF

I don't live in that kind of neighborhood though. Seriously, burglary really isn't a thing here. The spoiled rich kids don't need to steal and we don't have a "bad" part of town, there are literally only 2 apartment complexes, everyone else owns a home. I'm not dissing where you live, this place is some Mayberry shit for real.
Appreciate the input though and he was nice enough to his credit. I'll wake her up and let her know her side has another tally lol.

Its people like TC that make good cops turn into bad cops. All they do is try to help the community but they're treated with hostility for no reason but their uniform, and eventually it gets to them so they start pushing back.
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Late at night

Your lights are on

An entryway to your house is open


No I’m on the cops side here. Shit he is trying to make sure you aren’t too drunk/tired to think and turn it off, he is trying to keep you safe.
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TC is the kind of person to have his garage open in the middle of the night
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The_Russians posted...

I live in a small town of about 12k and crime is virtually non existent

Didnt you see the other topic where someone who lived in a small town got his car stolen?

Also I agree with your gf. The police has no way of knowing you have dogs, left your door opened intentionally and that the light being on was you and not some robber.
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FL81 posted...

TC is the kind of person to have his garage open in the middle of the night

That’s fine I just don’t like the kind of person who gets mad at favors.

“I got you a milkshake since I was there for myself anyway~”


“Fuck you milkshakes are gross”
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josifrees posted...

Closes door

That's top kek trolling right there, man. I dig it. XD
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Chicken posted...

Its people like TC that make good cops turn into bad cops. All they do is try to help the community but they're treated with hostility for no reason but their uniform, and eventually it gets to them so they start pushing back.

Eh, let's not get into all that. When I asked if it was against the law it was a legitimate question, I wasn't asking it all smart assey, if he's said yes I'd have asked him to vote the statute and if he was correct, if have complied.
As I've stated, I live in MN, tensions are high and there's very little trust in the police right now. If you don't know wtf I'm talking about look up Philando Castille. That is one of the reasons why I'd prefer not to interact with them unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Minnesota cops have earned every ounce of distrust and hostility they're getting. It's not just me.



LittleRoyal posted...

Late at night

Your lights are on

An entryway to your house is open


No I’m on the cops side here. Shit he is trying to make sure you aren’t too drunk/tired to think and turn it off, he is trying to keep you safe.

See, but then that just opens the door to unnecessary confrontation. I don't really drink, but as I'm a worst case scenario kind of guy, I can see a situation rapidly going south telling the wrong drunk person what to do on their own property. And while that person wouldn't be justified in assaulting or even verbally abusing them, it's again an unnecessary confrontation. Which I guess is the heart of my stance, it's just unnecessary confrontation. Hope that makes sense.



FL81 posted...

TC is the kind of person to have his garage open in the middle of the night

You betcha

samurai bandit posted...

The_Russians posted...

I live in a small town of about 12k and crime is virtually non existent

Didnt you see the other topic where someone who lived in a small town got his car stolen?

Also I agree with your gf. The police has no way of knowing you have dogs, left your door opened intentionally and that the light being on was you and not some robber.

Yeah I did. My stance is I'm not going to love my life in fear and constantly worried if I'm completely secure and everything is locked up. I worked hard to be in a nice place so I don't have that added level of stress. Shit happens, and if my garage did get burgled, I'd call it a lesson learned and move on.
Now I have to wake her up again and tell her her side has another tally. She'll probably be pissed this time lol

LittleRoyal posted...

FL81 posted...

TC is the kind of person to have his garage open in the middle of the night

That’s fine I just don’t like the kind of person who gets mad at favors.

“I got you a milkshake since I was there for myself anyway~”


“Fuck you milkshakes are gross”

Is it really a favor at that point though? Like if I'm driving to work is it necessary to be pulled over just to be reminded to buckle up and lock my doors? Kinda the same thing. Like I said if my lights had been off, sure, thanks officer I appreciate it. I was clearly up though.

CensorErik posted...

josifrees posted...

Closes door

That's top kek trolling right there, man. I dig it. XD

It was pretty clever lol

Bump to get the day crews thoughts

you're still a dick for getting annoyed
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If you're not needing it open at night, close it.

A week ago I was hearing sounds coming from our garage at night. One day I opened the garage to take my daughter for a wagon ride and randomly spotted a possum sleeping in the corner.

We also have bats around here too. So all around a good idea to not leave it open when it's dark out.
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