Awakened By Car Alarm Rate My Response

[bigolbigun]

Well I was awakened this morning by the sound of my wife's car alarm being activated at 4:45 am. I thought that I would share with all of you how I responded to it. And those of you with more knowledge and experience could help me identify what I did wrong,and what I could have done differently to improve my response to a similar situation in the future.

When I first heard the sound of the alarm I laid there for a few seconds thinking it was my next door neighbors car alarm.It has gone off many times before. My mind began to realize that it sounded to close to be his alarm. So I jumped up out of bed and grabbed my gun and flashlight which I keep next to my bed and put my cellphone in my pocket. I then headed out the front door. Total time from alarm beginning to me getting outside was probably about 45-60 seconds.

As I headed out my door I could see the reflection of the cars taillights flashing out into the street. I have about a 35 foot walkway from the door to the driveway that is shielded by the house that does not allow you to see a car parked on the left side of my two car driveway. My truck is parked in the garage and so the side of the driveway closest to walkway is unoccupied. But seeing the lights I now knew for sure it was our alarm. I peered around the corner using the Harries method that I learned here from Tx Investigator and saw the cars dome light on and no one in sight.

I began to walk slowly towards the car scanning the area with my light. It is very dark between mine and my neighbors house. So I made sure to look that way to make sure nobody was climbing into either of our back yards. I did not bring my keys with me so the alarm was still going. I then did a 360 around the car, looked up and down the street and saw nothing. By now my wife was up and deactivated the alarm from inside. I did one more walk around the area using just the flashlight with my gun pointing down in my strong hand.

I went inside and holstered up and then we both went outside as she checked out the inside of her car while I stood watch. Thankfully nothing damaged or missing from her car. We then returned to the house where she easily fell back asleep, and I have been up ever since. I look forward to being "educated " from you how to improve my response. And thank you in advance for any advice.

[Liberty]

I don't have much advice, but I bet your neighbors aren't thrilled with you this morning and have some advice about that car alarm.

[MoJo]

It sounds like you handled it well.

Just one observation - - - Flashlights are bullet magnets! - - - Have a motion detector or dusk to dawn light installed to illuminate your parking area. Then, you can stay in the shadows, observe, and not give your presence away by scanning with your light.

[Rokyudai]

My truck is parked in the garage

Give wifey the garage!

I second motion lights. Based on your description of your driveway setup and availability of different watt floods, you could probably adjust them accordingly so your pad is illuminated without too much ambient light into the neighbor's windows.

Rok

[HerbM]

I think you did fine. Overall, what do you think?

Well I was awakened this morning by the sound of my wife's car alarm being activated at 4:45 am. I thought that I would share with all of you how I responded to it. And those of you with more knowledge and experience could help me identify what I did wrong,and what I could have done differently to improve my response to a similar situation in the future.

Ultimately we can only provide alternatives, ideas, or cautions as you were the one there and will have to evaluate what you could have done better -- presuming someone isn't doing something obviously just foolish, and you weren't. (Or are smart enough not to include that part. )

When I first heard the sound of the alarm I laid there for a few seconds thinking it was my next door neighbors car alarm.It has gone off many times before. My mind began to realize that it sounded too close to be his alarm. So I jumped up out of bed and grabbed my gun and flashlight which I keep next to my bed and put my cellphone in my pocket. I then headed out the front door. Total time from alarm beginning to me getting outside was probably about 45-60 seconds.

Maybe a less intrusive early warning or prowler chaser is in order? We have a motion sensing light in the driveway area -- if you approach my wifes car it comes on before you can even touch it and start the loud car alarm.

Hopefully (and apparently) you wore your trousers too (that was my first thought on reading your report). Seriously, that is always a decision point for me if there is no human in danger nor imminent or worsening threat, then it takes a couple of seconds to add them. You can only go limited places without them, or you might get stuck outside or talking to the police without them.

You didn't have the keys, and so maybe you did leave the pants with the keys in the pocket -- but YOU probably did wear pants because you put the cell phone in your pocket (good move -- if you need the gun you will definitely need a phone).

If it's really urgent go as I am, otherwise I get pants and slip on outside shoes (no socks or additional shirt if I have on at least a t-shirt.) I do NOT want to be the "guy with no shirt" if the police are called -- he is usually the troublemaker that is going to get pepper sprayed, tased, and arrested.

As I headed out my door I could see the reflection of the cars taillights flashing out into the street. I have about a 35 foot walkway from the door to the driveway that is shielded by the house that does not allow you to see a car parked on the left side of my two car driveway. My truck is parked in the garage and so the side of the driveway closest to walkway is unoccupied. But seeing the lights I now knew for sure it was our alarm. I peered around the corner using the Harries method that I learned here from Tx Investigator and saw the cars dome light on and no one in sight.

I don't go out UNTIL I can observe as much as possible -- and preferable without turning on any inside lights. Two reasons for leaving the lights off, once I am involved I don't want to tip my position and if you turn on inside lights it is near impossible to see OUTSIDE.

On the other hand it is key to always know The Goal: What is my goal? Do I WANT to SEE a prowler? Or just send him away safely.

Ultimately, I want him GONE and me, my family, and my property (last but significant) to remain here unharmed. However, if he is still here I do want to see him first (at least) but I don't NEED to see him if he leaves.

What about the police? I am pretty sure I can parallel (some of) your thought processes here: "Call the police. No, it's probably a false alarm, cat crawling on the car, or a kid pranking.... I'll call them if there is a problem or I see something."

We don't want be a paranoid or a baby and call the police for silly noises in the night. And besides they are probably busy stopping armed robberies and catching murderers, right?

Wait a minute! Why I am going outside with a firearm IN MY HAND if there is no problem out there? (Oh, yeah. There's a car alarm, probably nothing, right? But I can't take chances so I have a firearm and use defensive tactics.)

Where's my cell phone? Oh, yeah, in my pocket. GOOD.

What would happen if I just called 911 and told the dispatch that I have a car alarm ringing and my handgun (that will be a fun part of the conversation) and am going out to investigate?

What if there is a patrol car close and they are just sitting there bored tonight? What if they are actively patrolling my neighborhood looking for an intruder they chased from some other crime scene? Do I really want them to stay out of th fun? Or to show up without knowing that I am the home owner?

Things to think about, but I probably wouldn't call 911 either...

No problem. I got it!

I began to walk slowly towards the car scanning the area with my light. It is very dark between mine and my neighbors house. So I made sure to look that way to make sure nobody was climbing into either of our back yards. I did not bring my keys with me so the alarm was still going. I then did a 360 around the car, looked up and down the street and saw nothing. By now my wife was up and deactivated the alarm from inside. I did one more walk around the area using just the flashlight with my gun pointing down in my strong hand.

The following is contrary to most home defense tactics but my training started (mostly) in the military....

Personally I don't like nor need a flashlight for most "walking around in the dark" -- I do need a light for looking for bad guys though sometimes. When is the last time you saw a soldier going around with a big light on his gun or next to his head? Personally, I do NOT walk around with a firearm in FRONT of my, unless it is at the ready and I can see what is there, pieing corners and looking for targets.

So I want the light, but I am not sure about turning it on right away nor about sticking it next to my head or in front of other vital parts.

My gun NEVER goes around a corner before my eyes. It is just too easy to ether have it grabbed (or shoot something I can't see????). Either it's full tactical, or the firearm stays at my hip, in my hand in case I get grabbed or in my holster.

Why am I out here? What's my goal? Why am I leaving that noise going? What would it matter if I just turned off that noise and turned on all the outside lights?

What do I think is happening? My wife's car is being stolen? Is it being burglarized? What's in it that they can take? What's the downside? What's my goal?

BTW, I like pepper spray, and would have that in my hand probably. If I get grabbed then we are (at worst) both going to get GASSED (I buy mostly FOG pepper spray) but the grabber is going to ingest several ounces of it and probably be off Mexican food for about 2 years.

I went inside and holstered up and then we both went outside as she checked out the inside of her car while I stood watch. Thankfully nothing damaged or missing from her car. We then returned to the house where she easily fell back asleep, and I have been up ever since. I look forward to being "educated " from you how to improve my response. And thank you in advance for any advice.

Glad to know you suffered no loss. At your level (you did fine) then likely we can only ask questions or wonder what else could have happened for you to consider and educate yourself.

I really believe in asking:

What's my goal?

What's the (likely) downside or upside of the actions I am taking to achieve that goal?

Is the goal worth the risks and costs?

What will you do different tonight if things start the same way (and it was the first time)?

That is probably YOUR answer to what to do differently and better, since you have had time to process all the facts, risks, rewards, and suggestions in the context of what you know about the entire situation...

[anygunanywhere]

I think you did fine except for your choice of firearms.

I would have had a shotgun, not a pistol.

Ditto the motion detector lights or lights you can control remote (X-10 devices)

Anygunanywhere

[Stupid]

What's the first and foremost duty as a husband and father? It's not to catch a criminal, nor is to stop a crime. It is to provide safety and security (physically and financially) to your family. To do so, the very first thing you must do is ..... that's right, stay AWAY from the danger and make sure your family member do the same.

Now back to your situation. the whole thing could have gone the other way. The bad guy could just kick your car to trigger your alarm, wait for you to come out, then either ambush you right there or sneak into your house. The key point here is that the alarm could just be a rush to draw you away from your safety - even you know that! you armed yourself in anticipation of dangerous encounter. Why didn't you just go the other way - which would be "not go?"

which is worth more? your car or your life?

[BigDan]

I think that you did well giving the situation. I do agree, however, that in the future you should stay inside. If you fear for your safety, call the Police if you must.

Instead, you may want to consider resetting the alarm. Any Bad Guys outside will hear the alarm turn off and then re-arm. If they ARE there, they'll know you're up and about. This will tell them you're not an easy target and move on.

[KD5NRH]

Hopefully (and apparently) you wore your trousers too (that was my first thought on reading your report).

Why bother? Sometimes I just grab my vest and a shotgun; that gives me a backup weapon with two reloads, (both of my shotguns have on-gun storage for 4-5 extra rounds) taclight and ID, and more often than not, the cell phone stays in the left breast pocket of the vest. The stuff in the pants can be useful, but not nearly so much as the vest.

Besides, considering where we live, the only people who might see me checking out a bump in the night without pants had better be more worried about the shotgun.

[old farmer]

Morn'
"be more worried about the shotgun." This maybe off topic...if so ...I will post topic. I have shotgun for home defense of my family. I currently use a mix load order of shells..;(Wife calls 911); Bird shot. 2. "OO" shot 3. slug shot then "OO" and slug.
the shotgun has laser light sight with pressure pad. I kown the house so no flashlight (on). The drive and back have motion lighting. If they are on then something bigger than a cat has turn them on. The goals is to protect the family? The other things are covered by insurance. What do other people use for home defense?
"Peace and Goodwell to All.
if that fails then God bliss Colt"
unknow author.

[anygunanywhere]

I think you need more smilies.

Anygunanywhere

[HerbM]

Hopefully (and apparently) you wore your trousers too (that was my first thought on reading your report).

Why bother? Sometimes I just grab my vest and a shotgun; that gives me a backup weapon with two reloads, (both of my shotguns have on-gun storage for 4-5 extra rounds) taclight and ID, and more often than not, the cell phone stays in the left breast pocket of the vest. The stuff in the pants can be useful, but not nearly so much as the vest.

Besides, considering where we live, the only people who might see me checking out a bump in the night without pants had better be more worried about the shotgun.

OP has near neighbors -- and I do NOT want to be the guy without a shirt when the police arrive -- he is the one who always gets tazed, cuffed, peppered, and transported.

Given humor and the jester that should suffice but as to the VEST:



We want PICTURES!!!!!

[old farmer]

Start the day with smile.
Have a good day.

[Venus Pax]

Is there a way that you can park BOTH vehicles in the garage? Mars & I hired someone to move shelving in our garage so that we could fit his truck in there, as well as my vehicle. Yes, someone can still get into a garage, but it just isn't as tempting.
In my area, I hear all the time about cars being vandalized or burglarized while in the driveway. (A colleague of mine had two tires slashed, and this was the case all down her street on that particular morning.) I have yet to hear of this happening while the vehicle was in the garage.

Sometimes, this isn't a possibility. At our last house, we didn't even have a garage. :(

I also recommend the motion-sensor lights. Not only are they aversive to the criminal element, but they save electricity.

[waynev]

I'd make a suggestion in addition to the motion sensor lights. Put them on photosensor also. That way they only come on at night and will save even more electricity. It's all about being green these days.