Dan meets his new neighbours
Posted by Don Packett under Uncategorized on May 7 2007 at 9:03 AMOne of Dan’s new neighbours decided to call a friendly meet-and-greet of sorts this weekend. Although the timing was a bit odd. 00:15 AM this morning. What was also very bizarre was the invitation. Very original. It went something like this:
:: scuffle scuffle ::
:: DOOR SLAM ::
“NO NO NO NO!”
:: hand pushing window open ::
“HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME! I’M IN 54! HELP ME!!!”
:: scuffle scuffle ::
:: silence… ::
WTF?
There’s something about a blood-curdling scream for help that can get you out of your coma-like status of sleep, grabbing a baton and racing outside ready to fuck someone’s shit up while half naked in the cold of night.
When Dan got outside (after Pam set off the alarm and screamed toward the house to try make the intruder/perpertrator stop whatever he/she was doing) the noise had ceased. No slamming doors. No scuffling. No screaming. Nothing at all. Now that is more scary than the screaming. Now he didn’t know what was going on.
Dan raced around the corner to the entrance of his neighbour’s house to find ADT and another neighbour or two hanging about. One of the others had a baton too. Dan felt cool. Like he was in. Anyhoo, to cut a long, drawn out story short, they waited, then waited some more. ADT couldn’t go inside because the house wasn’t one of their clients, which is understandable. But numerous buzzing on the intercom didn’t get any response.
When the police finally arrived, they buzzed once or twice, and the garage opened. Dan, to be honest, crapped himself a bit. This person could have just slaughtered his wife/girlfriend and could possibly decide to open up on police/neighbours with a big old gun. Not cool.
The guy, dressed up like he’d just come from a fancy shmancy event, escorted the police, ADT and one of our own security guards through the garage. A minute later the ADT and security guys walked out and told Dan, Pam and the neighbours that ‘their was a misunderstanding’, she had been beaten up, by him, but she’s not pressing charges. They left before the police left the house.
Funny thing about this meet-and-greet was that Dan never got to meet the hostess. Quite strange.
About five minutes later, already tucked in bed, Dan and Pam heard a door slam, lock, then there was silence.
Dan lay in bed a while waiting for more noise. Waiting for someone to scream again. Jump the wall. Anything. But it never came. He thought to himself: “Is this the kind of place we’ve bought into? Is our new ADT alarm system really all it’s cracked up to be? There was silence in the house even before ADT phoned us. Yes, it was a domestic affair, but still, anything could happen.”
Dan’s head was filled with thoughts of their safety. What can he do? Dan has decided to phone the Home Owners Association and find out what can be done. He is far from a nosy neighbour, but when someone is screaming for help, you’re invited into that particular event, and feel responsible if shit goes bad.
What to do…
Update: Dan spoke to the security earlier. The offender told him ‘he made quite a noise last night arguing with his wife and someone behind them (Dan and Pam) called the police, and he’s quite upset’. What? The woman was screaming blue murder! Made quite a noise arguing. Right.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Sheesh, that’s hectic…
If it were me, I’d try to figure out when the hostess is home by herself, and do a friendly housecall – something along the lines of “know that we’re here for you if you need us, please just shout if you need help of any kind”.
It’s impossible to just not care, isn’t it?
May 7th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Heavy.
But domestic affairs like this are not as straight forward as other “just hit the offender in the head” crimes. At all. Bare in mind how quickly the “SOMEBODY HELP ME!” turned into a “misunderstanding”! Complicated.
How can you then be sure that your “call me if you need any help” won’t receive a “just who the hell do you think you are?”
I’ve experienced this exact thing before and it’s probably the most helpless if felt in my life. I’d also like to know what is the right thing to do?
May 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Sheldon, if you receive a “who the hell do you think you are?”, you’ve at least done your part. The call for help was really there in the first place, so you can’t be blamed for being concerned.
That’s how I see it, at least.
May 7th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I agree with Martin. By offering, you’ve done all you can do. I have also been in this kind of situation, and trust me, if he’s in control, she will most likely blow you off. To save her own ass. But she will remember when she really needs your help. it’s better to know that someone cares, than to think you know that you’re alone and he’s right.
May 7th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
So ummm, let me get this straight. It’s ok to beat 6 colours of shit out of your girlfriend / wife / or both as long as they don’t press any charges?
The cowardly prick should receive a stern talking to! (ie. a swift kicking).
I’m with Martin on this one. Stick your head around the corner and quietly make yourself known. She can take it or leave it. No harm no foul.
Dan for block president.
May 7th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I think Dan wants to push for Chairman! Gonna be awesome!
First rule: The music never stops! Ever! Unless it’s dance music. Then it’s not allowed to be played at all. Offenders will have to rock out to something heavy while being dragged down the complex road and getting laughed at by fellow rocking neighbours! I think Dan has the first offender in mind…
May 7th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I nearly got thrown in jail for helping a lady out a few years back in DBN. I was walking into a garage convenience store and saw a guy backhand his lady a few times, she was screaming blue murder so i tried to get into the car to get the guy to stop but his door was locked and the window nearly all the way up. i eventually smashed his side window and ripped him out the car, i beat him, he beat me and eventually i knocked the nutcase out. I eventually get done for assault and the lady who ended up nearly unconscious testified against me! A few months later i got the conviction overturned when she eventually admitted that she was coerced into testify and this fucker had been smacking her around for years.
It’s scary but its more common than allot of folks think. I still would gladly kick the shit out of anyone who lays a hand on a woman in anger.
May 7th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Dude. Insane. That’s what we, I mean, Dan thinks too. Misunderstanding? She had to say that or get pounded on again.
Not cool. Glad to hear you got off. So shit that that had to happen though.
May 7th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Alls well in the end, she was a bit of a belter and we dated for a week or so a few years after. Got my just rewards as they say….
May 7th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Prince Charming rescues the damsel in distress. Love it.
May 15th, 2007 at 7:35 am
One of my neighbours (built like a brick sh*thouse) is the nicest, friendliest, most helpful guy, but turns seriously ugly after a 6-pack or two. He seems to have beaten the bottle now, but a few years back he was beating his wife. One night she staggered over to our place with a black eye, wearing handcuffs.
The cops were called (call me a coward, but I’m not built like a prize-fighter) and managed to sort it all out. I have an inkling of what Dan experienced.
I have another neighbour who is a class-A, certified, dyed-in-the-wool, arrogant, dickhead, but that is another tale.