[masraum]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

On the extremely rare time someone comes to the door, as I open it, I'm taking a picture of their face with my phone.

"There has been a bit of riff-raff in the area, and if anything happens, your picture is going to the Sheriff"

Definitely gets their attention. If they have any type of brochure or handout, they probably have a legitimate, if unwanted, purpose.
Once, an empty-handed guy quickly said "never mind, sorry" and scooted away quickly.
He was probably up to no good.

One New Years Eve, we had what seemed like a man in his 40s or 50s come to the door at about 1130. When I opened the door he started going on with the spiel about being underprivileged and selling magazines or something like that. We had a dog that was ~35#, but looked like a small German Shepherd, and she was barking like mad. I moved my leg just enough to let her get her head between my leg and the door, and she put on a show like she wanted to eat him. He went away. I suspect we thwarted his plans that night, and I suspect he was up to no good. Who comes soliciting at 1130 on NYE unless they are casing the place hoping that no one is home.