When Security Companies Make Us Feel Less Safe: A Memorial Day Weekend Wake-Up Call
By Lisa Loucks-Christenson, Investigative Photojournalist and Reporter
Over Memorial Day weekend, my family experienced an unsettling encounter that left us questioning whether security companies are truly providing peace of mind—or raising new concerns. Importantly, this was not our own security provider, but a representative from another company. As both a journalist and a victim, I believe it’s critical to share this story to raise awareness and encourage vigilance in our communities.
Our doorbell rang once around dinnertime, and we chose to ignore it. After a long delay—enough to make us think the visitor had left—it rang again. My husband answered to find a uniformed man who had to reach above our clearly posted “No Soliciting” sign to ring the bell. He claimed a neighbor bet him we wouldn’t answer the door, and when my husband declined to engage, the representative persisted, asking to take a selfie with him to win the bet. We refused and called the police.
As I documented the situation, I overheard the man asking a neighbor if other residents were ever home, noting they didn’t seem to be around. This is particularly troubling on long weekends when so many people are away. Sadly, this was not our first encounter with this company. In a previous incident, a man matching the same description followed a person I interviewed into her home, sat at her kitchen table uninvited, and seemed to know details about her security system and cameras. Both incidents involved the same company and possibly the same agent. I am aware of other identifying details but am not sharing them at this time.
We reported both incidents to the Rochester Police Department and urge others to do the same if they experience suspicious behavior. Security companies should provide peace of mind—not add to our concerns.
Call to Action:
If you or someone you know has experienced similar suspicious behavior, report it to your local authorities. Talk with your neighbors, review your home security, and make your concerns known to the companies involved. Together, we can help keep our neighborhoods safe and hold those who promise security to the highest standards.
Contact:
Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Investigative Reporter, Rochester Sun Times News
Email: news@lisalc.com
Phone: (866) 562-5125
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