Scary morning. Neighbor's house raided!
By craftcatcher
@craftcatcher (3699)
United States
July 18, 2007 2:13pm CST
About 5:30 this morning, my husband was getting ready for work and I was still half asleep sitting on the couch drinking my first cup of coffee. I heard some noises next door and a voice yelling very loudly though we couldn't hear what they were saying. Although unusual for this time of morning we didn't think anything of it.
My husband went into the kitchen to get a coffee refill and he said, "Come here quick!" I walked to the window where he was standing and looked out to see a fully armored and frighteningly armed SWAT team, police officers, a K-9 unit and the FBI running in and out of the house right next door!
They brought out a man and a woman in handcuffs and evidently searched the entire house. They were out there for quite a while.
We live in a pretty bad neighborhood, I grew up in this neighborhood but it has gone downhill severely over the years. There was a violent murder in that house about 6 yrs ago and the house was sold. Since then so many people have moved in and out of the place that we pretty much ignore it. There's been a hooker live there, illegal aliens, gang members, drug users, and now evidently drug dealers.
I wish we had the money to move before something even worse happens over there and spills into our yard, but for now we're stuck. This is definitely not a good way to start the day.. LOL.
The picture below is very similar to how they were dressed and armed. It was a bit scary to see all that weaponry drawn and ready to fire 15 ft from your front door!
22 people like this
31 responses
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Hi Greg,
It's just bizarre. The rest of the neighborhood is so quiet and nobody bothers anybody. Why that particular house attracts such troublemakers I have no idea but there's been some doozies. It was such a quiet place until that murder happened there and it's been one thing after another there ever since. I sure wish we could move.
3 people like this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Sounds like the place needs an exorcism.
3 people like this
@xkristalx (230)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Wow. Wow. That definatley sounds dangerous! I lived in a neighborhood once where a house was raided, it was several houses down the street, and I found that unsettling enough! The murder thing is creepy. Was it random? Because I would be so freaked out, they could've chose your house instead! I hope you can stay safe there!
3 people like this
@xkristalx (230)
• United States
19 Jul 07
YIKES! I was reading some of the other posts and it sucks that its a family house, because that would make it so much harder to leave. I know this is cheesy, but maybe that house is cursed/haunted now. It would make sense. I would probably haunt a place where I was murdered. And if not haunted, at least the negative energy emitting from that place must be pretty high!
@shelagh77 (3643)
•
19 Jul 07
Wow! What an exciting life you lead. It is horrible for you and very scary but what happened to my friend was even worse. Police dressed just like those ones you saw kicked down HIS door by mistake - wrong house! He had to stay in hospital for several days as he has heart problems.
Little tip though, if ever anything like that is kicking off make sure your back and front doors and all windows are locked. Sometimes people hop over walls and into the house next door, and I am not trying to alarm you, that does happen.
I am so pleased you were all OK. Hopefully this police raid will put a stop to all the antics going on in that house. I think most neighbourhoods have problems now, and it is very sad.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
"Wow! What an exciting life you lead."
It's unintentional I assure you! LOL I just want a quiet peaceful life. I've had quite enough excitement in my lifetime. It just seems that the universe is not ready to let me settle down yet!
That's a very good tip shelagh, I didn't even think of that at the time. Just like I didn't think to grab my camera and take pictures. I'm still kicking myself for that.
3 people like this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
19 Jul 07
That's not how I like to start my day either. I know how neighborhoods can change over the years. Today I wouldn't go near the neighborhoods where I grew up (in Miami, FL). My hubby and I had to sell our home in another county in South Florida in 1990 and move to another area to get away from it all. However, no matter where you move, it seems that it moves with you. Stay safe and keep your eyes open.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Yep it's sad how neighborhoods can go from a nice place to grow up to a scary place. If things continue to go downhill we'll have to sell the place and move. This house has been in my family for over 50 yrs and I'd hate to loose it but I don't like this one bit.
I will definitely keep my eyes open claudia. With any luck these people will not be coming back. Thanks hon :D
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 Jul 07
what a wake up call huh?
So sorry that you are stuck.
SOme day you maybe able to get out or work with neighbors to clean it up if ya can.
I had a similar thing happen to me years ago in Tenn . We lived in a trailer park and I noticed a car setting where it shouldnt So I kept watch on it for my kids were playing out side.
Then a knock come at my door and it was the TBI asking me about some neighbor and about thier car.
Of course I answered best I could and they searched all aroud the trailer nad took off the toliet drain pipe and a buch of white stuff hit the ground that the people had tried to flush but they never found any one hoem. So they had a car stake out the placeall day and into the night about 9 pm the car of the neighbor came back and I guess they spotted something since they tried to run but they got arrested and I never found out any thing else. I had to make kids stay in the house that day for I never knew if there might be shooting or not and I think this was before they has SWAT teams
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
People just don't realize that what they're doing is hurting more than themselves. It also affects everyone around them. Thanks Lakota for sharing your story!
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Thanks so much Terry. I'll definitely be careful. Hopefully these people are gone for good.
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Thanks Karen, I'm glad it didn't get to that point too. I'd have grabbed my husband and headed for the basement if bullets had started flying. Beings they got there so early I think they woke them up and caught them offguard. I just hope they don't come back.
2 people like this
@lucky_witch (2707)
• Philippines
19 Jul 07
That must be really scary. I cant imagine living there with my kids playing outside then suddenly things like that would happen What I mean is the safety of teh family. If that is your house why dont you sell it and move. I guess its not safe place if some sort of bad guys renting the house right next to yours.
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I don't feel unsafe here for the most part and we don't have any kids. Things can happen in any neighborhood. This was just a very rude awakening. I hope they don't come back, that's enough for a while. Thanks :D
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Thank goodness I have never experienced anything like that before! Bad enough anytime--but before coffee? Ugh! Seriously, though, I'm glad you are safe for the moment. That could have gotten ugly, huh! I also hope you are able to move from that neighborhood before too long!
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
No kidding! Hadn't even finished my first cup of coffee, it's just not civilized.. LOL!
I hope we can get out of here too, it's getting real old, real fast.
2 people like this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
19 Jul 07
What a start to the morning - eventful and exciting! But honestly, if I were in your shoes, I'd be quite concerned. I won't feel comfortable living in a neighbourhood where violence and illegal activities take place. I will fear for the safety of the people in my household. If I can, I will find a way to move out to a safer place where I will have better peace of mind. I really hope you and your husband will be safe if you continue living in this neighbourhood.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Well I just hope they don't come back. Nobody there this morning and the car is gone too. I wonder if they hauled that away later to be searched. I wish I knew what was going on over there. Nothing on the news last night which surprised me.
Thanks so much for your concern lexus, I appreciate it.
2 people like this
@djbizmonkey34 (633)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Wow, sounds like you got a rude wake up call this morning huh?? I would be scared myself. Especially if they came to my door and said I needed to leave because they thought you would be in danger in case if they were to run.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I wasn't even thinking about anyone running. Both my doors were wide open during the whole thing. But nobody came to the door to tell us what was going on so maybe they were being cautious with the SWAT team but really weren't expecting any trouble. I just hope they put these people away and they don't come back. Thanks dj!
2 people like this
@crazypumpkin (501)
• Philippines
19 Jul 07
What a way to start the day. But maybe it's a high profile case that's why it's not in the news, you know their trying to keep it hush hush because they haven't found what they are looking for yet.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
That very well could be the case. There still hasn't been a word about it on the news. I don't honestly know how many people were living on that side of the house. I never paid much attention. They haven't lived there very long. Just a couple of months. Maybe they're keeping an eye on the place to see who else shows up.
Next time I hope they wait til I finish my first cup of coffee at least.. let's be civilized when raiding houses with high powered weapons after all! LOL
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
A very rude awakening! thanks Angela :D
2 people like this
@Penguinsangel (3498)
• United States
18 Jul 07
That is a scary way to start your day. I have saw something similar when I was younger and a house up the main street from us got raided like that. We couldn't believe it was happening right in front of our eyes.
Its something you end up remembering for quite a long time.
Do you know why exactly they were there this time?
3 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Boy that is a scary moment for you to see so early in the morning, I live on a fairly quiet street and one night my boyfriend and I went out to a local bar to listen to some music, we came home to a street full of police cars, there were so many it was difficult for us to get down the street, come to find out our quiet neighbors next door (who are always complaining about the noise and our dogs barking) got into a marital dispute on their front lawn and the neighbors called the police, such a shock! As I am sure yours was.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Yep, seeing so many high powered weapons drawn and ready to fire just feet from your front door will wake you up in a hurry. I think they call that a rude awakening! LOL
Thanks hon! :D
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
19 Jul 07
Thanks for the concern venshida, I appreciate it. As soon as it's financially possible we're out of here!
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Oh hey, I didn't take my eyes off the action until they had everybody handcuffed and packed up to leave. Things like this just don't happen every day in real life I didn't want to miss a thing. Though I would have ducked for cover had there been a single shot fired!
I'm just thoroughly kicking myself now for not getting my camera out! I was too enthralled to think about that. Duh!
Thanks Calais!
2 people like this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
18 Jul 07
What a scary start to your morning. I would be moving no matter what it took. I have kids and I am very cautious about the places that we live and I like to check all neighborhoods that we consider for child molestors that are registered.
People are destroying themselves these days and you just never know who is living beside you. I am luccky that we live in a fairly quiet neighborhood and we do see the police occasionally. I am also lucky to have good neighbors who work every day and have good family values. It is nice to know that I can let my kids out the front door and know that they are fairly safe.
3 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Hi carolscash,
If we had kids I'd be gone in a heartbeat, but it's just me and my husband. The house we live in has been in our family for 50 yrs (it was my grandparents house) and I grew up in this neighborhood. It's always been a poor neighborhood but pretty quiet hard working people. This house next door has attracted some of the worst elements I've ever seen in this whole area. It's just bizarre that it all seems to center on that one house.
Thanks for your response!
2 people like this
@craftcatcher (3699)
• United States
18 Jul 07
Thanks dio123, I hope we can get out of here someday soon before it gets any worse. Although judging by some of the other responses I've gotten it can happen anywhere, not just in bad neighborhoods. True enough.
2 people like this
