Question:
did i do the right thing?
creativestarwish
2006-06-22 09:21:54 UTC
i called the cops on an ex who was beating on my windows, ringing my doorbell non-stop, screaming my name, and blowing up my phone for a total of 2 hours at 3 in the morning!

i told him to please leave and i didnt wanna talk to him, but he didn't stop. i know he's slightly obsessive, but my gut feelings told me something wasn't right, so i called the cops on him and they escorted him away ( i didn't press charges, i just wanted him to take a HINT to give me my space!)

now i'm worried that he's gonna get worse or more creepy on me for having done that... did i just put myself at more jeopardy?

also, something inside of me feels really guilty and bad for having done what i did. i just need reassurance i did the right thing.
38 answers:
2006-06-22 09:31:57 UTC
You did the right thing definately always listen to that feeling you had. Call the police department and ask what it takes to get a restraining order and stalker laws in your area. Look into house alarms and always keep your eyes open! Have a friend stay over if you have more trouble, buddy system when you leave to work call a family member or friend keep someone aware of you movements at all times so if something happens someone will come check on you or call the police, vary your routes home from work change them up so you aren't as predictable, and always have a cellphone on and erady to call someone if you have trouble. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure don't let that scare you. Having a dog may help too. Be careful and don't second guess yourself if he gets worse it is not your fault nothing you did or will do caused this. He's most likely sick protect yourself. Consider a self defense course too scary but may come in handy with him or if you take a trip to NY, NY be safe!
Piper
2006-06-22 09:35:58 UTC
I think you did the right thing calling the police, however, you may wish as time goes along that you HAD pressed charges. I have several friends who have had similar situations in their life and they did not press charges and in the cases where the problems escalated later and because they had not pressed charges the police could not help them very much. Pressing charges makes the whole incident be put on the police books as to what happened and when. You might think about taking a restraining order out on him. He could be a danger to you if he is making that kind of trouble for you at 3 in the am. I would NOT feel guilty for doing what you did one iota! Not for a second. He is not being rational doing what he did and obviously needs some professional help. Next time, press the charges and tell them you want him to get all the help they can give him. It will be best for you both.
kj
2006-06-22 10:01:57 UTC
Always follow your gut instincts! They'll never lead you wrong and this case just proves my point. HE isn't right mentally. I understand why you didn't want to press charges, but that is exactly what you should have done. If he's going off on you again, you need to call the police again. And this time, press charges. If you keep calling them and not pressing charges, they could easily stop taking you seriously and not come out the next time. Also HE might not take you seriously either. Some people just DON'T take "hints" no matter how strong they are.

You don't need this guy in your life, he will only get worse over time, NOT Better!

Please, do everything you can to ditch this guy, AND ditch those guilt feelings. You aren't at fault here, HE is the one who is making his own miseries, NOT YOU! You have done the right thing! Don't back down, or you'll never get rid of him.
blink182fan117
2006-06-22 09:27:57 UTC
Well you did the right thing. But not pressing charges to get a restraining order might have been not a good thing. I would say go to the cops, tell them what is up, and maybe they can pay close attention to him... if anything gets worse they will do something. But, if you don't go to the cops then please please please call them as soon as something happens again. Be safe because this does not feel write. Remember that you did the right thing and do not feel guilty -- that will only make the situation worse. Something is not right with this guy no matter how you look at it.
carole
2006-06-22 09:24:38 UTC
Honey - for you to try to reason with him while he was freaking out for 2 hours is patience and kindness above and beyond the call of duty! And then to not press charges even - you have been nice almost to a fault.



I can understand being nervous now, since he is still on the loose. I would talk to the police (the ones who met him, preferably) and tell them of your fears and see what they say. Is it too late to press charges? Do they think he is likely to come back? Cops have lots of experience with these types of things and they can probably gauge better than you what he might do next.



Other than that, if I was you, I would:

- keep my cell phone handy with the police on speed dial

- try not to be out of the house alone, stay in public places if you are out alone

- keep my windows and doors locked (at home and in the car)



I would also try to utilize my personal power to neutralize the situation - what else can you really do? To do this, I would spend quiet time meditating and visualizing this person relaxed and happy. Imagine good things in his life - maybe see him with a new woman in your mind. The more vivid the visualization the better off you are. If he can be happy and at peace, then you are certainly safe. Once you have done that for a couple minutes, do the same for yourself - happy and peaceful. See your self laughing, smiling, happy and safe. Try it at least once a day for 3 or more days and I am sure you will feel better.



Peace!
shawny2623
2006-06-22 09:25:30 UTC
You did the right thing by calling the cops. I say if he comes back again, call the cops again but this time press charges and get a restraining order. sometimes guys and girls too just dont get the hint when you dont want to be bothered with them anymore. Good luck and be safe!
ksjazzguitar
2006-06-22 09:27:02 UTC
No, you didn't do the right thing, you should have done more. You should also get a restraining order! He's showing you a tendency to violence and obsession. These are things that often lead to VERY bad things. Don't hessitate to call the police, and if he ever does anything like this again, call the police and talk to them about a restraining order.



And don't try to make nice with your ex to try and placate him. Make it clear that things are over and you both need to move on. DO NOT see him socially; it will just lead hime on and you'll never get rid of him.



Good luck.
teetee's mommy
2006-06-22 09:28:57 UTC
You did the right thing. If he gets more creepy and you feel more in jeopardy then your next step is a restraining order. I know a piece of paper doesn't seem very reassuring but he will get in bigger trouble for breaking it and harassing you further. You have every right to do what it takes to protect yourself. Don't feel guilty about it. HE should feel guilty for doing what he did to you especially when you kept telling him to leave. He had plenty of opportunity to heed your warning before you had to get the police involved. His bad, not yours!
2006-06-22 09:26:46 UTC
u have a doubt?? u obviously did the right thing!!



if the guy can't realise and understand what u want of him (and what u don't).. and he, like a crazy ***, is mentally disturbed enough to scream and ring the doorbell and the phone like crazy.... trust me, u did the right thing... well done.



don't feel guilty. all good actions feel bad initially. Also, if he does it again, call the cops again. He'll do it a couple of times, but he'll be set right soon. Don't worry...
SuperJenn
2006-06-22 09:25:55 UTC
You did the right thing in having him taken away. This guy obviously has a few screws loose. To protect yourself further, get a restraining order. Follow through with this because it's likely this guy won't stop bothering you and I bet there'd be many people who would be heartbroken if something happened to you. Do yourself a favor and protect yourself now before you aren't around anymore to tell anyone what happened. Good luck!
housefullofboys3
2006-06-22 09:26:24 UTC
No. You did the right thing to stay safe. You should see about getting an order of protection because it sounds as if he has threatened before and now he is stalking you.



Don't feel guilty. Being obsessive in a realtionship is not a good thing. Being obsessive when there is no relationship is stalking.



Good Luck/
candy0813
2006-06-22 09:34:49 UTC
You took a stand and that I know had to take a lot of courage. But...it's no need to second guess yourself now. This is the time when you have to be strong because when men start to act like that, then they are only steps away from domestic violence or even killing you. You should never feel guily about possibly saving your life. Follow up on it though. Get that restraining order! Press charges next time! We just had a woman where I live at now get murdered in broad daylight from a man who did exactly the same kind of thing. He waited for her to get off of work, and then followed her home. She was already scared from his threats, so she had a male co-worker take her home. As they were walking up the sidewalk to her apartment, this man walked up to them and shot his ex in the head, and then turned the gun on himself. My sister is going through the same kind of thing, and I also went through it myself. I probally would be dead now if it wasn't for the power of prayer. My mom and I prayed so hard when my ex-fiance said that he was on his way over to kill me. As he was on his way, the cops pulled him over, found out he had an outstanding warrent from years back, and he was arrested. By the time he got out of jail a year later, I was married to a 6ft4, 250lb ex-football player. He has never bothered me since. I know that I am truly blessed, but the same thing can happen to you. He wanted to kill me because I called the cops and got restraining orders, and avoided his phone calls too. But I had to do it, and so do you. I will be praying for you sweetie, and I suggest you be doing the same thing!
2006-06-22 09:26:43 UTC
Of course you did the right thing..you never know what would have happened if he would of gotten inside...if he does it again you need to press charges this time and put a restraining order on him..I know it's hard but you have to protect yourself and your family..Be careful when you leave your house just look at your surrounding and things like that..Be Careful and Good Luck..
2006-06-22 09:32:24 UTC
You were doing the right thing.Only that guy not happy with the thing you done and he maybe trying to get revenge on you or something else i don't know,but sometimes is possible he will hurt you or your loves one,who knows.



But don't think too much about your worries about him.The best thing to do is you learn some defence technique to protect yourself if he trying to hurt you like learning teakwondo or karate something like that.Tell your problem to your friends and family,they surely will help you.Always bring along your cell-phone anywhere you go,just incase he trying to hurt you,you can straight call the police.
Jim G
2006-06-22 09:26:58 UTC
Sounds like you need a restraining order against him. I also think you did the right thing, it appears he has anger control issues and is probably not someone you want to be with for the long term. Probably best to change telephone numbers to unlisted numbers and move if you can. Learn from this experience and move on.



Good Luck !
yogazen
2006-06-22 09:24:49 UTC
Yes, you did the right thing. You should get a restraining order and call the cops again at the first site of him!
avondalesweetie
2006-06-22 09:29:14 UTC
You did the right thing. If your afraid he'll come back ask the police to check on your house every now and then. Also try to get a restraning order. If he comes back call the police. Good Luck and I'll keep you in my prayers.
arewnrose
2006-06-22 09:43:36 UTC
Don't worry about hurting someone. What is happening here is that you are being stalked and seems like it is getting close to assault. Press charges Immediately, if not things could definately get worse.
Niki
2006-06-22 09:25:49 UTC
i think you did the right thing. He sounds really scary, so I don't blame you. If he ever does it again, warn him that you'll get a restraining order and if he does it AGAIN, then GET the restraining order. You never know what someone will do when they snap like that. It could be dangerous and you don't know it.
efraevo
2006-06-22 09:25:29 UTC
i think you did the right thing. and if things do get more creepy, then you should press charges. If you hadnt called the cops, he may have hurt you. You did the right thing, dont worry.
a_poor_misguided_soul
2006-06-22 09:25:36 UTC
If you felt you were in danger you did the right thing. Guilt is natural but it's not your fault if he is abusive or stalking you. If you are worried about it go to the courthouse and get a protection from abuse order.
2006-06-22 09:26:06 UTC
you did the right thing but if ever gets close to doing anything like what he did before than immediately call the cops
dcbowls
2006-06-22 09:25:47 UTC
You absolutely did the right thing. If you are that afraid of him maybe you should change your number and get a restraining order.
rjm96
2006-06-22 09:25:46 UTC
You have a right to privacy and security.

You did the right thing.

If he does it again get a restraining order.
Owlwings
2006-06-22 09:25:27 UTC
Yes. You did the right thing. If he harrasses you again, do the same. They will put a restraining order on him.
SocasteePrincess
2006-06-22 09:25:29 UTC
you did the right thing by calling the police but you should have pressed charges.
musiclover
2006-06-22 09:32:59 UTC
Yes, you did the right thing. I have no idea whether it will make him give up or make things worse, depends on the guy I guess.
Stinger
2006-06-22 09:26:54 UTC
ok first get a gun

second get an alarm system in your house. right away

third get a phone next to your bed (just in case he gets inside the house and you can't get to the phone in a nother room.)

pray
dxb
2006-06-22 09:27:14 UTC
yes YOU did the Right thing. i'm so PROUD of you . you've been very courageous . and yes the next time, if he does get more creepy , PRESS charges .
rives
2006-06-22 09:24:28 UTC
ya you did nothing wrong by getting the cops out there and dealing with that a sshole
i_love_boys
2006-06-22 09:30:55 UTC
you did the right thing i mean if u really wanted him to leave, but if u wanted the attention u didn't. and he can't do anything to u i'm sure.
2006-06-22 09:25:42 UTC
yes, he is a criminal and a stalker if he did that. get a restraining order immediately.... unless you still love him,.... even if you do love him, he needs mental help.
showtimegk
2006-06-22 09:25:20 UTC
absolutely you did the right thing. Good for you
2006-06-22 09:25:20 UTC
You did what you thought was right. That's all that matters.
2006-06-22 09:24:59 UTC
He was harassing you. You did the right thing.
Chuck'n Da Deuce
2006-06-22 09:24:01 UTC
yes, he is a creep, restraining order
reaggyqueen
2006-06-22 09:26:25 UTC
yes you did thr right
2006-06-22 09:24:51 UTC
nothing wrong in what u did.


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