Reader report: Suspicion-sparking knock at the door

| Safety | West Seattle news

While also planning to report this to police, PJ wanted to share the word of a suspicious incident involving someone knocking at the door around mid-afternoon today, just north of The Junction:

White male, about 6 ft tall, dark brown hair, 200 lbs, 18 to 24 yrs, wearing dark blue or black baseball hat, blue jeans & oversized, white T-shirt knocked rapidly and repeatedly on our front door at about 3:00 p.m. today. I didn’t hear it from our basement office, but my 12 year old did. Apparently the guy had been knocking for a little while, and my 12 year old, perceiving it as a strange knock, didn’t want to answer.

When I answered, he asked if I’d seen a German Shepherd running loose around the area. (Good one!) I said “no” and he walked off. After giving it a bit of thought & finding it strange that one would door knock to find a lost dog, so I asked my neighbors on both sides, and neither of them were visited by the guy. Just my house. Weird, suspicious, and not legitimate, by all appearances.

Again, this may have truly been someone looking for a dog – but police say it never hurts to be wary. They have said before that some burglaries start as door-knocking incidents – would-be burglars knock, and if they believe no one’s home, next step is to try to kick the door in.

Rebecca July 26, 2011 (5:42 pm)

I guess it never hurts to be wary, but people on the WSB talk like it’s never okay to knock on someone’s door for any reason. Note to self: if a pet gets lost, do not ask anyone if they have seen it. On that note, where’s the report from the neighbors that a suspicious guy knocked on their door asking if they had seen a suspicious guy? Suspicious!

LN July 26, 2011 (7:05 pm)

I would like to thank PJ for sharing this, as it is a well known tactic to see if anyone is home before the door gets kicked in. Considering that a home on 36th & Barton had the door kicked in over the weekend. We, in West Seattle, are not saying it is not ok to knock on doors, but it is suspicious that he is looking for a dog but only knocking on one door. I really do not consider a neighbor knocking on a neighbors door to inquire about a suspicious person, to be suspicious. They are neighbors. We watch out for each other and that is the way we roll in West Seattle.

Bob July 26, 2011 (7:20 pm)

My dog scared a guy off on Friday morning at 10:45, just West of the Junction. He came slinking up the back, staying out of my neighbors view. He was at the back door and when my dog barked, he took off. By the time I made it out the door, he was out of site. Unfortunately, my blinds were down, so other than his shoe color and shadow, I have a no other description.

Long Camper July 26, 2011 (7:50 pm)

“All units… be on the look out for a white male in blue jeans and white T-shirt… possibly wearing a dark ballcap… suspect should be considered concerned that his dog is missing.”

Am I getting this right?… or did I miss something?

S July 26, 2011 (7:58 pm)

Well Rebecca,

The report does say she asked neighbors if they too had been asked about the dog and they said no.. so Yeah, thats a little suspicious that it was only her house.

There was a storey on the news tonight about a house on Mercer Island where the lady heard noise in her yard.Two men were in a womans yard, knocked on her door, when she answered it, they told her they were landscapers, then pulled a gun on her… I NEVER answer my door when someone knocks on it, unless I am expecting someone. So don’t be over dramatic about this report.. it is better to be safe than sorry, especially if it was ONLY HER DOOR that was knocked on. You always hear about burglars knocking on doors checking to see if someone is home or not

JB July 26, 2011 (8:00 pm)

@Rebecca – It’s not suspicious when the neighbors come knocking. Nor is it suspicious when people in the neighborhood come to the door with a picture of their dog or cat, as they are posting signs. My neighbors and I have a pretty good handle on who lives in a one block radius. However, when someone you’ve never seen before comes knocking like a tweaker ready to kick the door in and puts the kid(s) on edge, we generally get suspicious.

J July 26, 2011 (8:42 pm)

WSB – I am not familiar with the phrase “sparking knock”. By sparking, do you mean enthusiastic?

WSB July 26, 2011 (9:30 pm)

Suspicion-sparking. Modifies the word “knock.” Equivalent to “knock that sparked suspicion.” Sparked as in instigated, inspired, caused.

Ken July 26, 2011 (9:23 pm)

I should have distributed some of the well chewed dog toys I just culled from the pile. I am pretty sure that is a “sign” a would be burglar would read as “dog, do not kick in door”.

Alki Resident July 26, 2011 (9:31 pm)

The one thing that has always kept me in West Seattle is the fact that neighbors do look out for one another,whether it be a tragedy,a loss of loved one or something out of the ordinary.It’s how it’s done here and Im proud to raise my family here.Im always grateful for WSB who keeps us informed and safer as well.

DC July 26, 2011 (9:58 pm)

Things that seem strange, seem strange for a reason. This guy was up to something but there is no telling what. Personally, I have strong feelings about anyone coming on my property and knocking on my door. I always make it a point to answer any unexpected knocks on my door with my gun in hand, just so any reprobates know I mean business.

Paul July 26, 2011 (11:41 pm)

who can it be now?

CandrewB July 27, 2011 (7:39 am)

I always answer the door in a ninja outfit and holding a flame thrower just so there is no question of who’s boss.

Tom July 27, 2011 (7:49 am)

Yesterday afternoon a similar guy knocked at my door (38th and Morgan) looking for his girlfriends lost cat. At the time I didn’t think anything of it.

newnative July 27, 2011 (11:09 am)

@CAndrew and DC, I answer the door on my tiptoes and wave branches around to show who is boss!

Isabel July 29, 2011 (8:01 am)

The same thing happened to me. It felt very, very odd and after the man left I thought about and realized he was probably just checking to see if anyone was home. I assume he also heard my home alarm system beep when I opened to door.

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