From the Battle Creek Police Department:
Over the last few weeks there have been several suspicious incidents in the neighborhood area of North Ave and Garfield. An adult male subject is approaching homes and contacting the residents. He states that he is doing an energy audit. After getting permission to come into the house he distracts the resident for a few minutes. He then steals items from the residence. The citizen does not realize that property is missing until the suspect is gone.
Be advised anyone doing contractor work in Battle Creek needs to have a permit issued by the city and provide credentials to the resident. If a citizen has any suspicions about a situation please do not hesitate to contact the Battle Creek Police immediately.
And before you think it can’t happen to you, a week ago, he came to knock on my neighbors’ house (they live on Garfield near North), not realizing that he was pestering some very alert people who have no problem calling PD, and letting me know about it as well. He did it two nights running.
They knew something was funny and didn’t even answer the door. This is smart. In our neighborhood, you don’t answer the door (unless you are expecting someone) late in the evening, because they are either going to ask you for money, casing your house for a future robbery, or are going to rob you right then. This bozo was knocking between 9 and 10 at night. Once on a Friday and again on a Saturday. The second night, they called PD.
It isn’t just the Northside, this is going on in other areas of town as well. Lakeview, the Post Addition, wherever people who aren’t as street smart as my above neighbors are can be found.
According to various residents around town (including two city commissioners) who have been visited by these people, it’s not just an adult male doing this. Reports include a white male, a black male and a white female. This indicates that it is a group of people working together and not just a lone wolf. Reports also indicate that they are working in areas where legitimate energy auditors are trying to drum up business by going door to door.
PROTIP: If a stranger comes in to your house, even if you know they are from the gas company, or there to work on your furnace, or whatever, do what I do. 1. Don’t trust them and 2. Follow them around like a lost puppy while they are in your house.
And, if you need an energy audit, call a reputable company and schedule an appointment, don’t let a stranger going door to door into your house. Especially not if you are alone, female, and/or elderly. And make sure your neighbors know this, too. Especially that elderly lady who lives alone with her cat.
