What should you do when someone comes to your door and intends to break in?

First, let’s talk about someone walking up to your door, knocking in an attempt to see if you are home. If the person is doing this for criminal means and finds out you are home, they will most often leave quickly without talking to you or they will ask for a person they know is not living there.

If you are not expecting someone or don’t know who is knocking on your door, do not open the door. Talk through the door to find out what they want. IT’S NOT RUDE, IT’S SAFE.

Tips to make your home safer:

• When at home, use your deadbolts. They are not just for protecting your home while you are away. Deadbolts also protect you while you are at home.
• Put three inch screws into your strike plate, as this secures your strike plate to a two by four in your wall and makes it very difficult to kick in your door.
• You are not obligated to open the door to anyone. Identification should always be verified before opening the door. A wide angle door viewer is needed if there is no way to see the person without opening the door.
• All home service representatives should have appointments and not just “show up” at your door.
• Do not open the door, but acknowledge you are home and talk through the door without opening it. If you don’t answer, and it happens to be a criminal, they may attempt to break into your home if they think the home is not occupied.
• Ask what they need (speaking through the closed door). If it is a car problem, offer to make a call for them. If it is an injury collision, call 9-1-1 for them. Ask them to stand by while you place the call.
• If the person leaves quickly, it should be considered suspicious and calling the police immediately is recommended. You can report it at (780) 423-4567 or #377 on a cell phone in the Edmonton area.
• Remember to take a good look at their face, clothing, any distinguishing features, direction of travel, vehicle description, licence plate, etc. This may be useful if you need to assist the police and your community.

Next, let’s talk about what to do if a criminal enters your home. If this happens and the criminal is unaware you are home, if possible grab a phone and:

• First, exit the house through another door and call 911.
• Second, lock yourself and/or your family in a room and call 911.
• Do not approach the criminal. If someone is in your house call 911. Police will respond immediately.
• If the criminal does find you they will most likely flee when they realize you are home. If they don’t flee immediately, tell them you are on the phone with the police and the police are on their way.
• If the criminal is intent on causing you physical harm, according to the criminal Code of Canada you are allowed to use as much force as is reasonably necessary to protect yourself. The courts judge the amount of force used by what an average citizen would deem reasonable.

Your best weapon is your brain. Use common sense, imagination, and good judgement.

Cst. Wasmuth can be reached at darren.wasmuth@edmontonpolice.ca.