If you THINK you're safe at a state park....Don't......

[DJD]

On September 17th, 2016, at about 11:00pm EST, my wife and I experienced an extreme threat while visiting Ken Lake State Park facilities.

We were staying in the 1 room Cottages on Marina Drive , Cottage 286.

As we had prepared for bed that night, I heard a knock at the door, and went to the door to see who was there. No one responded, when I asked who was there, so I left it alone. A few minutes later, someone was pounding on the door. This time, I opened the door, and told the guy he had the wrong cabin, and he needed to leave.

At this point, he attempted to force his way into the Cabin. Fortunately, I'm much bigger. I had my wife call 911, while I held back the intruder who was AGGRESSIVELY attempting to get into our cabin. All the while, he's screaming that he is going to kill me and my wife. VERY CLEARLY, and I heard what I heard, he was screaming he's going to kill us both.

After calling 911 and them hanging up on us numerous times, I had my wife, continue calling 911 and also call on my cell phone to your front office. While the front office person, Katie, or Kathy, or something of the such was helpful, she informed me there was pretty much nothing she could do except call 911, which I believe she did.

For a full 20-25 minutes, I held this Intruder back from getting into the cabin. He attempted multiple times to kick the door in. I think my sheer size, and the fact that I effectively blocked it from the inside is the only thing that kept him out.

After 20 minutes or so, a property maintenance supervisor showed, up and was able to diffuse the situation.

Police showed up about 10 minutes later.

My wife and I were shaken to the core, and packed up and left.........

Takeaways:

* If you think you're safe, don't.
* I didn't have a gun, or any other protection. That will NEVER happen again.....NEVER.
* I would have not shot him, but it would have been nice to have had the option.
* There is ZERO security at the State Parks, and their response was laughable
* Good ole boy networks that don't arrest people who threaten the lives of others.....****.

* I really miss staying at my go to place. I just might have to buy the **** place to be safe.

Oh well.

I agree about not shooting unless it's an absolute necessity. Pepper Spray is a great option for getting someone's attention and it's great way of showing your tried to protect yourself and loved ones without deadly force before being forced to shoot.
The world is a dangerous place....have to keep your eyes and ears open.

[kygorski]

Wasp[the insect] and hornet spray, can spray to 30 feet. I started carrying it last year, mostly to protect me and the dog from attack by another animal. Of course thre are draw backs to it, you'll wind up getting sued for injuries. Was[and still am]considering a sword cane. I use a cane often now,since I had those unexplained falling episodes a few years back, it aids in stability

[Moveon]

And it would be reasonable to use such a weapon if you felt threatened by a bad guy. But my weapon of choice is not a 9 mm semi automatic pistol with at least 17 rounds of P+ 135 gr lead ammo.