Is this a break-in attempt or just a prank?

Hey everyone,

This weekend, we had someone do two very hard kicks at our front door, which ended up splintering the door frame. It happened just a few minutes after we turned off our living room lights, and the front door is visible through the window near it.

We’re renting this place, so we hadn’t installed any cameras or doorbell systems before. Since this happened, though, we’ve had the door replaced, set up some cameras, and got a home security system installed.

What I can’t figure out is why they didn’t try to come inside. The door would have given in after a couple of kicks. Why did they just leave? Any thoughts on this? Also, any suggestions on what else we should do to feel safer?

If the kick was strong enough to splinter the frame, that sounds like someone was trying to break in.

If it was just a prank, they’d probably just bang on the door or ring the bell and then run off.

You should definitely talk to your neighbors, they might’ve seen something.

Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Mila said:

Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

It’s possible they got scared and ran. Seems like they didn’t really want to come in.

Mila said:

Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

Lila said:

Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

No, nothing like that.

Mila said:

Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

No, nothing like that.

I had a client who went through something similar. Teenagers kept kicking her door. We caught them on CCTV. They thought it was funny and kept doing it to impress each other. The kicks were strong enough to almost break her door too. Some people can be incredibly dumb.

Lila said:

Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

Brad said:

Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Lila said:

Brad said:
Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). You’re making people worry over stuff that might not be happening.

Brad said:

Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). You’re making people worry over stuff that might not be happening.

I work with home security every day. People get targeted for many reasons, whether it’s a flag or some other visible sign of identity. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. It doesn’t matter if we wish the world were better, some people just act horribly for the pettiest reasons.

Lila said:

Brad said:
Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). You’re making people worry over stuff that might not be happening.

I work with home security every day. People get targeted for many reasons, whether it’s a flag or some other visible sign of identity. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. It doesn’t matter if we wish the world were better, some people just act horribly for the pettiest reasons.

I understand people experience harassment, but I don’t think we’re at the point where home invasions are happening over a pride flag or something similar. Of course, I’m aware of the risks, but I don’t think this is what’s going on right now.

Brad said:

Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). You’re making people worry over stuff that might not be happening.

I work with home security every day. People get targeted for many reasons, whether it’s a flag or some other visible sign of identity. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. It doesn’t matter if we wish the world were better, some people just act horribly for the pettiest reasons.

I understand people experience harassment, but I don’t think we’re at the point where home invasions are happening over a pride flag or something similar. Of course, I’m aware of the risks, but I don’t think this is what’s going on right now.

It’s not always about an actual invasion. Sometimes it’s about intimidation, or vandalism with no clear purpose like theft. I see it all the time when people suspect they’re targeted. It’s hard to dismiss their feelings when there’s no other obvious reason.

Lila said:

Brad said:
Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). You’re making people worry over stuff that might not be happening.

I work with home security every day. People get targeted for many reasons, whether it’s a flag or some other visible sign of identity. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. It doesn’t matter if we wish the world were better, some people just act horribly for the pettiest reasons.

I understand people experience harassment, but I don’t think we’re at the point where home invasions are happening over a pride flag or something similar. Of course, I’m aware of the risks, but I don’t think this is what’s going on right now.

It’s not always about an actual invasion. Sometimes it’s about intimidation, or vandalism with no clear purpose like theft. I see it all the time when people suspect they’re targeted. It’s hard to dismiss their feelings when there’s no other obvious reason.

Have you come across any actual cases where violence followed because of a pride flag?

Brad said:

Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Brad said:
Lila said:
Mila said:
Steve4 said:
Maybe something scared them off, or they were trying to send a message. Have you had any recent arguments with anyone?

No, we pretty much keep to ourselves. We’ve lived here for 5 years and this is the first time something like this has happened. I’m hoping this wasn’t because we’re a gay couple.

Do you have a pride flag or something similar outside? It could be ideologically motivated.

You’re spreading unnecessary fear.

What do you mean by that?

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD). You’re making people worry over stuff that might not be happening.

I work with home security every day. People get targeted for many reasons, whether it’s a flag or some other visible sign of identity. I’ve seen it happen multiple times. It doesn’t matter if we wish the world were better, some people just act horribly for the pettiest reasons.

I understand people experience harassment, but I don’t think we’re at the point where home invasions are happening over a pride flag or something similar. Of course, I’m aware of the risks, but I don’t think this is what’s going on right now.

It’s not always about an actual invasion. Sometimes it’s about intimidation, or vandalism with no clear purpose like theft. I see it all the time when people suspect they’re targeted. It’s hard to dismiss their feelings when there’s no other obvious reason.

Have you come across any actual cases where violence followed because of a pride flag?

I think it’s important to stay grounded in the facts, but I also get the point about people feeling targeted even if it’s not always easy to prove.

Where I live, it’s a trend for teenagers to kick doors and run. Could just be that.

You should look into getting door armor for the frame. It’s a $99 upgrade and can stop kick-ins. It’ll give you some peace of mind.

Since you’re renting, maybe ask your landlord if you can put up a security screen door. It makes break-ins harder and also lets you answer the door while still being behind a locked barrier.

Mila said:
Hey everyone,

This weekend, we had someone do two very hard kicks at our front door, which ended up splintering the door frame. It happened just a few minutes after we turned off our living room lights, and the front door is visible through the window near it.

We’re renting this place, so we hadn’t installed any cameras or doorbell systems before. Since this happened, though, we’ve had the door replaced, set up some cameras, and got a home security system installed.

What I can’t figure out is why they didn’t try to come inside. The door would have given in after a couple of kicks. Why did they just leave? Any thoughts on this? Also, any suggestions on what else we should do to feel safer?

I had a house in a gated community in the 90s. After I moved in, my neighbors told me the house on the other side of the gate got broken into. Apparently, the people were looking for the previous renters of my place who were involved in some kind of shady business. Once they realized they had the wrong house, they left. Maybe something similar happened to you, a case of mistaken identity.