Jun 20 2008
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Police Enter Man’s Home to Check for Safety
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Troy Molde was awoken at 3 a.m. yesterday to police flashlights shining in his face. Two uniformed police officers were in his bedroom, knocking on the wall to wake him up.
They announced they were there to warn him to keep his doors closed and locked.
Their surprise visit was part of a public service campaign that sent officers across the city to leave notices on doors to remind residents how to prevent thefts by keeping garage doors closed, not leaving valuables in cars and to lock windows and doors.
For some reason at Molde’s house they went further.
His two young sons and 5-year-old twin nephews were having a sleepover in the living room. They awoke to find the officers in the house.
“I was violated, but … I wasn’t physically damaged,” Molde said concerning what he considers an invasion of privacy.
The officers told Molde his garage door was open, the TV was on, keys to his truck were left in the ignition and the door to his house was left partially open.
Police said their intrusion was justified because initial knocks by the officers went unanswered. Police then entered to see if anything was wrong.
The children were afraid to wake their dad so the officers went upstairs.
Molde, 34, said he went upstairs to bed at midnight. Molde did leave the garage door open but he remembers leaving the doors to his house closed — but unlocked. The kids fell asleep watching TV.
Three hours later he awoke to police in his bedroom. He immediately thought something was wrong.
Apparently officers left pamphlets Thursday at eight other houses in friendly reminder of ways residents can avoid becoming victims of crimes.
Police say many crimes originate with open garage doors.
Lakeville police gave Molde a reminder he won’t forget anytime soon.
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