To tell or not to tell?

[gate_pourri]

I am unsure what to do in this situation. I live in a high rise in downtown Chicago. I live in the building mainly because I feel it is safer, as a single woman in a large city living in a building with a 24 hour door man. I like having someone between me and the 'big-bad world' And I pay a pretty penny in my assessments for it.

I came home last night around 11:30PM and walked into the lobby of my building. There was no one at the front desk and the 'security' door was wide open. I poked my head around the desk and yelled 'hello?' thinking perhaps the person was in the back room. No one came out. I walked through the door and went to bed. I will admit I was a bit (ok... perhaps a bit more than a bit) tipsy and regret not having closed the door behind myself!

This morning, with a slightly clearer (albeit, slightly painful) head, I thought about it more and it made me feel very uncomfortable. I spoke with the afternoon doorman about it and he said it is a pretty serious 'security breech' for the building, but... than said it was my decision to tell the building manager or not. That if I told, the person was likely to get in real trouble. I don't want to get someone in trouble (or fired), especially since I am rather friendly with the overnight door person. So... do I tell the manager? Do I talk to the door person about it, directly? Do I just keep my mouth shut and buy a can of pepper spray?

 

[freckles and boo]

I would probably -

Ask the guy directly what happened and tell him you were concerned about it. If it happens again, report it.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I would probably -

Ask the guy directly what happened and tell him you were concerned about it. If it happens again, report it.

I agree.

 

[Serena]

Report it. Your peace of mind and security depends on the guy actually doing his job. Let them figure out if he had a good reason or not, maybe they need to have two people working to relieve each other once in a while as necessary.

 

[gate_pourri]

Report it. Your peace of mind and security depends on the guy actually doing his job. Let them figure out if he had a good reason or not, maybe they need to have two people working to relieve each other once in a while as necessary.

I'll admit I am leaning this way, but... I am still so torn. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but I am also afraid if I speak directly with him, he may get mad at me.

I mean, if the 'security' door was closed, than all would be fine. He is allowed to walk away from the desk as needed, but have that door locked. Than I would have used my key-fob and gone in and not thought twice about it.

Hmmm

 

[minkydog]

Report it. Your peace of mind and security depends on the guy actually doing his job. Let them figure out if he had a good reason or not, maybe they need to have two people working to relieve each other once in a while as necessary.

I agree with this statement. It doesn't matter why he wasn't at his post. He wasn't there. Management may know all about it or they may not. They can do some digging and figure out whether he was legitimately away from his desk dealing with a situation or whether he snuck off to drink a beer.You are not responsible for this person doing their job--they are. Call management and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would probably -

Ask the guy directly what happened and tell him you were concerned about it. If it happens again, report it.

Yep. Maybe he just had to pee really, really badly or maybe another tenant had an urgent issue.

 

[freckles and boo]

I'll admit I am leaning this way, but... I am still so torn. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but I am also afraid if I speak directly with him, he may get mad at me.

I mean, if the 'security' door was closed, than all would be fine. He is allowed to walk away from the desk as needed, but have that door locked. Than I would have used my key-fob and gone in and not thought twice about it.

Hmmm

He could have been away from his desk for a legitimate reason and another resident could have left the door open in the short time he was away. I wouldn't convict him without knowing he was guilty. I never lived in a building that was big enough to have a doorman, but we did have residents who would fail to pull the second (security) door shut on occasion.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I agree with this statement. It doesn't matter why he wasn't at his post. He wasn't there. Management may know all about it or they may not. They can do some digging and figure out whether he was legitimately away from his desk dealing with a situation or whether he snuck off to drink a beer.You are not responsible for this person doing their job--they are. Call management and let the chips fall where they may.

Oh, wait. I read your post wrong. The door to the building was TOTALLY opened and not just unlocked?

Then I'd report it.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I don't know...mistakes happen...as a pp pointed out HE might have left the door closed and gone to the bathroom and another resident might have left it open.

If it were me I'd talk to the guy. Ask him what happened. Tell him that it concerns you, for safety reasons, etc. If he's flippant and dismissive about it...report him. If he gives you a reasonable explanation, or if he tells you it wasn't his fault and you believe him, then I'd give him another chance.

 

[gate_pourri]

Oh, wait. I read your post wrong. The door to the building was TOTALLY opened and not just unlocked?

Then I'd report it.

The main door (a circle moving door which is always unlocked) was obviously unlocked. The internal security door was wide open with the large doorstop in. The door staff will keep it propped open sometimes, especially during the 'rush hour' period.

I really can't see how a tenant would have propped the door open. It is the kind of door that closes and locks behind you, so you have to prop it open with a heavy (at least heavy looking) door stop.

 

[Serena]

I am just worried if he is not a good guy, he may take offense to being questioned and may take it out on her in other ways. Call me paranoid.

 

[gate_pourri]

I am just worried if he is not a good guy, he may take offense to being questioned and may take it out on her in other ways. Call me paranoid.

I'll admit, that is one of the main reasons why I haven't already spoken to management or him directly. They have keys to every condo (including mine) to use for maintenance issues, etc. I am paranoid and I am not ashamed to admit it. He seems quality, but... Who knows? Right?

 

[Handbag Lady]

I'll admit, that is one of the main reasons why I haven't already spoken to management or him directly. They have keys to every condo (including mine) to use for maintenance issues, etc. I am paranoid and I am not ashamed to admit it. He seems quality, but... Who knows? Right?

True, but then again you pay hard-earned money to live there and deserve what you pay for.

I'd then advise you to take that other poster's idea and call him out on it, and if he poo-poos it, THEN report him.

 

[kirbsam]

report it. he didnt do his job, put you and others at risk. if he gets fired it is not your fault.

 

[Serena]

Ok, you can either wait, see if it happens again, then say something. It may be totally innocent, he had to help someone up to their apartment, for example.
If you know him and know he is normally doing a good job, I'd let it slide but say something, like hey, where were you.

Do you know your neighbors well enough to ask around for their opinions on how well he does his job?

 

[golfgal]

How would you feel if he continued to do this and the little old lady down the hall got beat up and robbed because you didn't want the doorman to lose his job-even though he wasn't doing his job. Since the building manager can't be there 24/7 I would guess he is depending on the tenants to let him know if something isn't right.