Several Lake Highlands residents are warning their neighbors about a man who has been knocking on doors and verbally challenging homeowners. The incidents have left some residents confused – and others fearful.
The Black man appears to be in his 30s, wearing a white button-down shirt and colored tie. He dons a red backpack with black straps and sometimes carries papers to indicate he is approaching the home on official business.
Neighbors who shared their stories with Advocate asked not to be identified due to concerns about their family’s safety. They came forward to help members of the community understand the potential danger on their own front porch.
“My 5-year-old answered the door (now knows to never do that) and the guy engaged him in a conversation about spider man,” explained one resident of White Rock Valley. “My husband came down immediately and he called my husband a ‘racist white dildo.’ He stayed on our street yelling at my husband for a bit and then approached my neighbor’s car when she drove up (and neighbor kept driving). Then drove off in a truck and yelled, ‘I’m an atheist!!’ as he drove away.”
“I interacted with this man, and it was the weirdest experience,” shared one L Street resident. “He said he was doing a fundraiser but never actually said what the fundraiser was or gave a pitch. He rambled about frustrations of old people and then said things that didn’t make sense and left. I saw him get in a car on the next block and leave.”
In one Ring video, after no one answers the doorbell, the man gets into an argument with a neighbor off camera, saying, “No, I don’t play games with wrong people. That man’s goofy as hell. I’m not your girlfriend, so I’m not going to argue with you. Have a redneck day.”
Some folks have shared their accounts with police, including surveillance video and photos of the man. Many have posted to social media sites such as Facebook and Nextdoor.
“PSA: today around 3pm a (black) man rang my doorbell and my MIL answered. She normally doesn’t but he was standing away from the door, white dress shirt and a tie. When she opened the door, he said, ‘go back to your country,’ and she promptly closed the door. He walked off after that. Understandably upset this happened (and questioning our safety) and wondering if this occurred anywhere else in the neighborhood.”
Dallas police encourage neighbors to think twice before opening the door to strangers.
“If you are not expecting anyone at your front door, the ring of the doorbell or knock at the door is a little surprising,” says Senior Corporal Brian E. Martinez. “Fight the urge to blindly open the door to see who it is or what they want. Don’t automatically open the door.”
Knocking on doors is a common tactic burglars use to determine if anyone is home before they enter, according to Ackerman Security. It’s not clear yet whether the man in the red backpack plans to rob the homes he visits, but folks who aren’t trying to break in can be equally dangerous. They may be mentally unstable or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Ackerman explains.
If a stranger comes to your home, the security company suggests you first make sure your door is locked. Look to see who it is, either through a peephole, window or camera, they warn.
Neighbors often wonder if they should pretend not to be at home, but ADT Security advises against this. Intruders like to break in when no one is home, and silence could result in a dangerous face-to-face encounter. ADT suggests calling out “I’ll get it” as you approach, giving the impression you aren’t alone. Without opening the door, ask the identity of the visitor. Remember scammers may pretend to be endangered or in need of assistance, so tell them you’ll call 911. Ask service techs to return when they have an appointment.
Ackerman says it’s suspicious if the stranger leaves too quickly, and it’s dangerous if they refuse to leave at all. Call police if you feel unsafe, and make note of details, such as what the stranger wore and what vehicle he gets into.
It doesn’t appear that the man with the red backpack has been physically abusive so far, but one LH neighbor is worried his behavior could escalate.
“I feel like at some point he’s going to build up the courage to do more than just knock on doors, since he doesn’t seem to have a purpose. I answer on the Ring doorbell but no way I’m opening my door for a stranger.”