Would you have handled this differently?

[Sousuke 1,214]

On Sept. 6, I locked myself out of my apartment in Santa Monica, Calif. I was in a rush to get to my weekly soccer game, so I decided to go enjoy the game and deal with the lock afterward.

A few hours and a visit from a locksmith later, I was inside my apartment and slipping off my shoes when I heard a man’s voice and what sounded like a small dog whimpering outside, near my front window. I imagined a loiterer and opened the door to move him along. I was surprised to see a large dog halfway up the staircase to my door. I stepped back inside, closed the door and locked it.

I heard barking. I approached my front window and loudly asked what was going on. Peering through my blinds, I saw a gun. A man stood at the bottom of the stairs, pointing it at me. I stepped back and heard: “Come outside with your hands up.” I thought: This man has a gun and will kill me if I don’t come outside. At the same time, I thought: I’ve heard this line from policemen in movies. Although he didn’t identify himself, perhaps he’s an officer.

In this situation, I think would handle it in one of two ways. If they were in uniform I would have sat down and watched TV then when they knock on the door ask if they have a warrant.

If they were not uniformed, I'd slip into a back room and call 911. I don't think I would have gone outside or looked out through the window like she did. If she had stayed in side I think her situation would have created some sort of monetary settlement had they forcibly entered.

All that being said my personal experience is this. I had a break in a few years ago. One officer came and checked my ID...not 17.

Edited November 18, 2015 by Sousuke

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

On Sept. 6, I locked myself out of my apartment in Santa Monica, Calif. I was in a rush to get to my weekly soccer game, so I decided to go enjoy the game and deal with the lock afterward.

A few hours and a visit from a locksmith later, I was inside my apartment and slipping off my shoes when I heard a man’s voice and what sounded like a small dog whimpering outside, near my front window. I imagined a loiterer and opened the door to move him along. I was surprised to see a large dog halfway up the staircase to my door. I stepped back inside, closed the door and locked it.

I heard barking. I approached my front window and loudly asked what was going on. Peering through my blinds, I saw a gun. A man stood at the bottom of the stairs, pointing it at me. I stepped back and heard: “Come outside with your hands up.” I thought: This man has a gun and will kill me if I don’t come outside. At the same time, I thought: I’ve heard this line from policemen in movies. Although he didn’t identify himself, perhaps he’s an officer.

In this situation, I think would handle it in one of two ways. If they were in uniform I would have sat down and watched TV then when they knock on the door ask if they have a warrant.

If they were not uniformed, I'd slip into a back room and call 911. I don't think I would have gone outside or looked out through the window like she did. If she had stayed in side I think her situation would have created some sort of monetary settlement had they forcibly entered.

All that being said my personal experience is this. I had a break in a few years ago. One officer came and checked my ID...not 17.

17 officers for an alleged break in? Please don't tell me the victim was black...

Edit: Is there more to the story?

Edited November 18, 2015 by Stay Woke

[Merrytooth 5,748]

17 officers for an alleged break in? Please don't tell me the victim was black...

Edit: Is there more to the story?

You don't know how to google using the keywords in the story?

[Sousuke 1,214]

Sorry! Keep forgetting links.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/11/18/my-white-neighbor-thought-i-was-breaking-into-my-own-apartment-nineteen-cops-showed-up/

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You don't know how to google using the keywords in the story?

I did and nothing came up. But Souske posted the link.

Sorry! Keep forgetting links.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/11/18/my-white-neighbor-thought-i-was-breaking-into-my-own-apartment-nineteen-cops-showed-up/

Thanks. Looks like I was right. Sadly

[smilesammich 10,727]

In this situation, I think would handle it in one of two ways. If they were in uniform I would have sat down and watched TV then when they knock on the door ask if they have a warrant.

If they were not uniformed, I'd slip into a back room and call 911. I don't think I would have gone outside or looked out through the window like she did. If she had stayed in side I think her situation would have created some sort of monetary settlement had they forcibly entered.

All that being said my personal experience is this. I had a break in a few years ago. One officer came and checked my ID...not 17.

that probably wouldn't be the best choice, imo.

this guy asked for a warrant, he's dead now.

http://wncn.com/2015/11/15/1-killed-in-harnett-co-officer-involved-shooting/

[Sousuke 1,214]

that probably wouldn't be the best choice, imo.

this guy asked for a warrant, he's dead now.

http://wncn.com/2015/11/15/1-killed-in-harnett-co-officer-involved-shooting/

That story doesn't add up. If you are being tased, you have no muscle control to grab the taser.

[smilesammich 10,727]

That story doesn't add up. If you are being tased, you have no muscle control to grab the taser.

i don't think the cops have given a their side, since the investigation is ongoing. but what's troubling to me is that the cops were looking for a suspect at the wrong house, kicked in the door when asked to show a warrant.

[Sousuke 1,214]

i don't think the cops have given a their side, since the investigation is ongoing. but what's troubling to me is that the cops were looking for a suspect at the wrong house, kicked in the door when asked to show a warrant.

Here is their side.

http://wncn.com/2015/11/17/nc-dad-shocked-harnett-co-deputy-with-stun-gun-before-being-killed-documents-say/

[smilesammich 10,727]

Here is their side.

http://wncn.com/2015/11/17/nc-dad-shocked-harnett-co-deputy-with-stun-gun-before-being-killed-documents-say/

yeah, after reading that...i don't think i'll ever ask a cop if he has a warrant. doesn't seem a safe question.

[Sousuke 1,214]

yeah, after reading that...i don't think i'll ever ask a cop if he has a warrant. doesn't seem a safe question.

well the question is, did he?

Lets assume assume worst case he asked and then tried to shut the door. Had he remained passive, he probably would have had a lawsuit. If you have police coming to your door have your smartphone on at the very least.

Edited November 18, 2015 by Sousuke

[Janelle2002 3,865]

They would have made up a warrant after the fact. Cops cover for cops, the good ones and the bad

[smilesammich 10,727]

well the question is, did he?

Lets assume assume worst case he asked and then tried to shut the door. Had he remained passive, he probably would have had a lawsuit.

between the two articles it looks like the cop is saying that he asked permission to search and initially was told no, not without a warrant. but then "Livingston denied the request initially but then granted consent." it's sort of confusing, going back and forth between two very poorly written accounts but ultimately, in regard to the op, i think civilians have to be given the benifit of the doubt when it comes to split second decisions involving police and staying passive. i mean, cops are trained on how to interact with people. they are trained with how to deal with going to strangers houses at two in the morning to look for suspects. most people are not well versed in keeping their cool in such situations.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

One of my best friends works for the Santa Monica PD. I'm curious what the department's take is on this.

[GandD 5,966]

They would have made up a warrant after the fact. Cops cover for cops, the good ones and the bad

Judges issue warrants. Not cops. And I seriously doubt a judge would help in this manner. Maybe a very corrupt judge but I'd say that would be very rare.