I might not have been scared if I lived in a populated neighborhood, but I sure wouldn't have liked it. Here, alone on my remote road, I'd have been scared. Good that you called the cops.

Yes it would have scared me.

If I was sure he was intoxicated, I would have told him to leave (without getting out of my car).

If he didn't leave immediately, I would call the police.

If he wasn't intoxicated I would have called the ploice without any conversation.

There's a big increase in home break-ins in our area.

ML

I also live out of town with no close neighbors. This is one of the reasons I installed automatic gate openers. I was very uncomfortable getting out to open and close the gate after dark. But, no matter where you live, you can never be too careful. He could very well have been watching your house long enough to ascertain whether anyone else was around and not have any qualms about doing something to hurt you. Close neighbors are not always insurance against an attack. We have to rely on our own good sense as there might not be anyone around to save us. I'm fully aware that someone could break into my house in the middle of the night and no one would be able to hear my screams but I also know from watching the news from the closest large city, bad things happen to people and neighbors living a few feet away never know until the police come knocking on their door to ask about it. So, I don't know if I would be scared under these circumstances but, I do know that I should be. Fear is how we protect ourselves from the unknown.

It would have upset me....that is for sure.

Awhile back, we were living in an RV parked on this place. My dogs started barking. I looked out to see a scroungey looking man walking towards the RV. I had been taking a nap and didn't have a shirt on. I yelled out the window. "Just a minute. I will be right there." Instead of stopping, he kept walking. I said, "Just a minute, I'm not dressed." Walked up to the door...I said, "GD it! Get back!" I was reaching for my pistol.

I threw on a t shirt and opened the door and it was my brother in law. He said, "Marilyn, don't you know who I am?" Well, hell...I hadn't seen him in a couple of years, and he wasn't in a habit of coming over, and he was just about the last person on earth I expected to show up.

Plus, he is a bad alcoholic and drug addict, and was drunk, as usual. He said, "What is the chance you will let us go fishing" (had another guy with him) and I said, "No chance."

I don't care if someone is totally harmless...they need to stay off my property unless I know in advance they are going to be there.

Yes it would have been frightening.
You should inform your neighbors too. Perhaps they'll help watch the neighborhood.

What did the police say?

Oh yes, that would have scared me. I'd have called the police too. Mom was working out in her yard today (with my help). When I left, I closed her garage door. She was still outside, and could get in her back door where she was working. Everyone was having garage sales in our neighborhood today, and you don't know who's walking around.
She just came over for a Margarita a little while ago and I told her to be sure and lock her front door and keep her garage door shut when she's in the back yard.
Leslie

Yes, that would have disturbed me!

I sometimes admire landscaping and flowering trees, bushes on peoples property but I don't intrude. A few years ago I took some pictures of a round barn that always intrigued me, but I knocked on the farmhouse door and asked permission first. And I wasn't intoxicated, either! (It was a long way from the road to get the shots I wanted).

Yes, it would have scared the heck out of me and I would have called the police too. Wonder how they knew he was probably harmless?

Yes, that would have scared me, and I would have called the police. Although I sometimes wonder if I would have the sence to call right away when I'm so scared.

You kept your cool -- good going. If your fence is low enough to climb over, I dought that a lock would help. Also you would then need to get out of your car to open the gate.

At our association meeting a police officer told us to always keep doors (including garage doors) locked unless you are in view of the door. The rough economy has caused an increase in theft.

Yes. I would probably STILL be worrying.....

I know you said the cops talked to him...did they get I.D.? And is he from around there?

You did the right thing by calling the police. The guy will probably not be so willing to come into your yard again. I have a fenced back yard, with a back gate, and a side gate, but I do not want anybody who doesn't have my permission to be in my yard. I would have been very frightened to find a drunk in my yard.

Talking to the neighbors is good. You might start a neighborhood watch for at least awhile. Also maybe the police can do a few patrols at various times. I would be petrified.
Sorry to say even in the smallest town, the best neighborhoods it is always a good thing to be cautious and keep the doors locked, even if you are working outside. Just keep a key somewhere, or get into the habit of sticking an extra one in your pocket.
Glad you are ok.

Oh the joys of urban living! I'd have done what you did - stay in the car and call the police. However, I'd be at the hardware store today buying those padlocks.

I believe you are in an old home, in the old neighborhood. If that's the case, you and I both know that all different sorts of folks are close by. That can be part of the old house story. Just be proactive and stay attentive. I don't think unnecessary paranoia will serve any good purpose.

Yep, the police would have been there just as soon as I could have called them. Then called my husband and anyone else I could think of. I know my neighbors and he would not have been one of them. Living in a rural neighborhood you know who lives close by.

Sue

Thanks for the replies. We live in a very diverse neighborhood - in every way imaginable. Frankly, I wish I'd never moved into this place. One of the "diversities" is having plenty of people who were never taught basic manners or even that whole "thou shalt not steal" business.

I'd just returned from the nursery and had a yard full of pricey plants and I'm quite certain the miscreant was here to lift some of my newly purchased plants.

My neighbors have had plants stolen out of the their yard too many times to count. One neighbor had two mature azaleas yanked right out of the ground. Now I understand why crummy neighborhoods get so ugly. Who would plant anything, knowing it will be stolen?

The house is too beautiful for words, but I'm weary of all this diversity. I'd rather just be able to enjoy a quiet and peaceful back yard. The $4000 fence went up, after the last crackhead came into my backyard to ask for money. Today, the padlocks go on the gates.

Yes, they can climb the fence but it's a picket fence, so it's not easy. As I understand the rules of engagement, it's all about slowing 'em down.

Rose

Do you park your car inside the fence? If I were you, I'd think twice about those padlocks. If you do park your car inside the fence, wouldn't you rather NOT get out of your car in your neighborhood EVERY SINGLE TIME you leave and again when you re-enter the yard?

To someone bent on being in your yard for a bad reason, the pickets mean nothing unless they're topped with barbed wire. Very easy to leap over one-handed if you're not drunk. Are those ADT signs posted in front?

Your house and yard are very beautiful, and yes, I'd have been scared, too. You were right to call the cops.

rosemaryt,
I think unless you have the same response option as marilyn_c and I " I was reaching for my pistol!" next time call the police first. Do NOT confront a rough looking drunken person even in your own yard. I would have been leery of a strange drunken man in my yard or just in the close vicinity of my lonesome self. I hate the fact that I can't relax the vigilance even in my own home these days but it is what it is. When confronted by, scared of and or intimidated by a stranger in those circumstances I would not have hesitated in calling the police immediately.

I strongly advise ALL WOMAN to take courses is self defense and practice them often!!!! I urge women who are alone in most situations to learn to use a handgun and keep one available, according to the laws of your state, for self protection. Luckily I have not had to use my pistol to protect myself yet, but I have no qualms in using it to protect myself or my family from physical harm and or mortal danger. The targets at the gun range are what I have shot the most and the moving/living gun range where things pop up (Good and Bad) teach the shoot / don't shoot concept. I learned very young if I am going to shoot a living creature (including a human) shoot to kill and I will abide by that first principle. I do the gun range targeting at least 2X a year to keep my wits and eye. The results show I am a very good shot and I know what and when to shoot.
I would also suggest along with the padlocks on the gates, post every 50' NO TRESPASSING signs in 2 languages at least. If it ever happens again you can call the police and the trespasser will go to jail then and there. It might teach the rest of the neighborhood some respect for other peoples property. Please keep yourself safe.

CT

Actually, CT, angry people with guns scare me far more than a drunk in the yard does. Would you really shoot-to-kill a drunk in your yard?

I should have written "scared angry people with guns....."

Yes,it would have scared me also.

sherrmann,
Rather insulting if you are saying I am scared and angry with a gun in hand. Just to clarify a few things for you and anyone else having a problem with the gun in hand or the shoot to kill issue. I would not shoot the drunk in my yard just for being in the yard. I would not confront that drunk either. Police do have a useful job "to protect and serve" the community is part of that job description. Unfortunately Police are limited and can not always be where you need them. In that circumstance being able to take care of self and loved ones is a benefit. I have a great deal of respect for life and would never wish to have to end a human one in violence I would not shoot anyone unless they were violent or threatening, making me fear for my or a loved one's life and at last resort. I am not an angry or scared person and have long learned the proper use and non use of a weapon. I am a realist, intelligent, confident, well trained in multiple weapons and personal non weapon self defensive techniques. I have done a military training boot camp and weapons classes and police weapons training. After such intense training the difference between scared out of wits and fearful but aware in an unsafe situation is like night and day. Whole-hearted YES If I HAD to shoot a living creature especially a man I would shoot to kill. When it comes to the life of a loved one or myself or the life of a violent, intend on harm, strange person absolutely I kill the stranger deader than doornail in a heartbeat.
I would be very leery of a scared and angry person with a weapon in hand. In my college years I'd been in 3 situations as a store clerk where I was robbed at gun point. The robber did not get violent, I handed him the money, he left, no problem 2 Xs. The 3rd time there was a police officer hidden in the back room. He came out gun drawn. Long story shortened I ended up holding a shot in the side police officer in my lap while trying to call the police and ambulance. Blood smells like a copper penny tates!
Less than $150.00 (the robber got away with the money again) in all 3 robberies. Was the money worth the blood spilled? Not at all! But if the Robber had been stopped then and there he probably wouldn't have shot the clerk at one of the next stores he robbed. The nice young woman had 2 kids left behind and was dead before she hit the floor. Robber was the angry, scared man with a gun in hand. She was the scared out of her wits victim and died trying to get away from the angry scared man with a gun. He got the lousy $38.00 in the till. 4 robberies later he was caught in the act of another armed robbery. This time his criminal activities ended abruptly by bullet. No longer angry or scared he lies in his grave forgotten except by a few of us, his victims. I wipe tears from my face as I remember this time in my life where my youth was lost and I became aware of reality that the world was not the safe, happy kingdom in which I grew up. I vowed to be able to take care of myself and my loved ones. I do not go looking for trouble but if it comes at me I am not going to be the dead victim hopefully. I stay aware of my surroundings, even alone I walk with confidence and make myself look less like a target. Targets in criminal minds are those who are not aware and look weak. I am an advocate of person weapon training if anyone intends to own a weapon of any kind. I believe owners should learn to use it or not use it . WHY HOW AND WHEN to shoot is a matter of personal attitude. But be aware of the laws and ramifications when shooting a person, killing or only injuring. Any shooting scenario can come back and haunt you forever if you are not prepared for the reactions to the action.

CT

Wow, I would have been terrified if I found anybody in my yard. For all I know, he was looking for an unlocked door or window to get in your house and rob you! Definitely install locks on the gates. I would have gone inside or used my cell phone and called the cops!

I would have definitely been scared, too. It sounds like you handled the situation very well.

Feel better now, CT? Got your gun drawn in case somebody spooks you?

Sorry to hijack your post, Rosemary.

My apologies for hijacking your post, Rosemary. I will say one last thing unrelated to the question at hand.

sherri I don't know why you are trying to antagonize me and if you would like to take it to private email please do so. It is interesting to me why you are twisting my words into what you think they mean and are being so rude. I believe you are to old for PMS to be the cause of such nastiness.

CT

This reminds me of a drunken homeless man that several years ago entered my home. I was terrified.
But.....my DH picked him up from a corner, brought him home to allow him to take a shower and gave him a change of clothes and a meal before he took him back to where he found him.
I was horrified, but looking back, DH was just trying to be nice.
I know that is not always the thing to do now a days, and I personally would never do it, but this man was ever so grateful and left without incident.

I color myself lucky.

Trin

Colored Thumb, I applaud your post.

Rosemary -
I would have been extremely leery. Good call on calling the police.
Have you ever considered a big dog as both companion and security?
Defintely get those padlocks - that's often enough to make many thiefs just try the next yard.

Yes, it would scare me and I've had it happen when I lived out in the country and was home alone with little kids. Man comes and pulls into my mountaintop driveway and sits staring at the house. Don't recognize the car and he finally leaves. We lived about 50 minute drive from the nearest police station so they probably wouldn't have been able to be much help if the guy was a nut job.

I do have a watchdog. :)

She's Teddy The Wonder Dog and she can use her laser-eyes to vaporize bad guys. At night, you can see the laser-eyes real good (as shown in photo above). However, she was IN the car with me when I pulled into the driveway Friday afternoon. She did snarl and growl at the unidentified stranger in my back yard, so kudos to Teddy for that.

Here's a picture of Teddy The Wonder Dog during daylight hours. She is a good little dog, but not too intimidating during the day. But she's a good barker and I think she'll be a good watch dog.

Sure, that would have scared me. I think that's what's so great about cell phones. I would have called the cops and stayed inside my locked car. No one need take the liberty to walk in someone else's fenced back yard. Hope you don't see him again.

Teddy the Wonder Dog is a beautiful girl. I love her laser eyes! Good girl to make it known she is the protector by growling. I'm sure she will do her best to be the best wonder dog ever!

CT

Excellent. I do remember the puppy pictures now - gorgeous dog.
Good on Teddy for the growling!

I would have been scared and would have called the police and not engaged him in talk. A car pulled up in front of my house today and some loud mouth teens were cursing and looking at the house. I think they were waiting for someone up the street to come down. My dog raced to the fence and barked his head off. I told him ..good boy..Never know if they were casing the place or what.