Last Saturday the kids and I did Stranger Class.
There were several break-ins in my mother’s neighborhood and she got the full scoop at a Neighborhood Watch meeting called by the local Police Dept. This “gang” of thieves would go door to door, dressed as service men. If you opened the door to them they sometimes they would force their way in and rob you. If you ignored them and they thought you weren’t home they went around the back and broke in to rob you.
I say “sometimes” force their way in because shortly after the break-ins but before the Neighborhood Watch meeting two guys knocked on my mother’s front door dressed as alarm service men. They claimed they WEREN’T selling anything which was why they didn’t have any cards or fliers or anything.
My mother’s neighbor Bruce (and he fits the name!) was over to break down his equipment after filming and had actually opened the door before I got to it. He was arguing with them over how insane it was not to carry fliers or business cards. He kept saying, “Then why are you here?”
I told them, “We already have an alarm system and Yes, we knew of the break- ins and had already called to update our system. They seemed more confused by our harping on why come to the door if NOT to sell us something and give us fliers. But they finally left.
Found out at the meeting they fit the profile of the robbers and we were lucky. They probably thought Bruce was too ornery and then there were two of us to the two of them. Either way… it prompted a new skill for the boys.
So I gave them the usual lecture on strangers which they’ve gotten in school and at Cub Scouts. But I illustrated the need to stay out of arms reach and added the biggest danger is one stranger alone with you alone. Conor questioned what to do if there were a group of bad guys. I explained that a group of bad guys aren’t going to try and steal you… only single bad guys do that.
Then we practiced. I explained what I expected them to do if someone came to the door. And then I went to the door and we roll played. Which was hysterical. The oldest was first and it was like he was whispering behind the door. I couldn’t hear him at all! After remedying that he was finished and the youngest tried next. He is ready for paranoid old guy status! He’s yelling through the door, “Who are you? What do you want? Go away, I’m going to call the police!” So proud!
My middle son was ready and tried to do a comedy routine with the Halloween decorations so I deemed the lesson done and sent them off.
Next step… Phone Class. Where we practice using the telephone both making and taking calls. After all… they’ll need to know HOW to dial 911 not just that they should. Every phone is different.