TAMARAC. FLA. (WSVN) – An elderly homeowner in Tamarac said he called authorities when he discovered a man was trying to break into his home, but deputies did not stop the would-be intruder’s efforts, prompting an investigation into their response.

Elderly Tamarac homeowner targeted in attempted break-in criticizes BSO deputies’ response

BSO seems to still have an issue with calls or it is simply following other departments and deputies are trying NOT to end up the target of political animals who would come after them for arresting a suspect.

The surveillance video shows Johnson trying to bust down Norkunas’ front door, slamming into it and repeatedly tugging on the handle.
“I yelled at him, ‘Go away!’ I put on the lights, and usually crooks, they run away,” said Norkunas.
But the homeowner said this crook. did not leave.
“Then he started kicking the door, and then I had a handgun, and I pointed it at him through the glass, and I said, ‘Go, go!’” said Norkunas.

Two lessons here: First, “common knowledge” seems to be an excuse for “I read some stuff in the internet and it validates my feelings so it must be true.”  You will be lucky enough to be dealt the asshole criminal who is not afraid of lights or other “passive deterrents.” Have back up plans.

Second: A gun is not an amulet. Hard core criminals or the totally drugged up are not going to react in horror like movie vampires at the presence of the cross and run away. Again, your luck indicates you will get the one who does not care if you wave a gun and promises to shoot. If you feel you need to draw a gun, again have a plan to use that weapon in legitimate self-defense.

Norkunas said what frustrated him the most about the situation was that Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies never approached the man at his door.
“If the sheriff had come, if only the blue and white lights had come, and the sirens, I think maybe he would have run,” he said.

Again with the ” common knowledge” magical thinking. And that is demonstrated later in the same article:

According to neighbors, Johnson eventually walked down the road and turned himself in to deputies.

I guess he was not that scared of white and blue lights after all, was he?

If you place your self-defense in the hands of others, rest assured you expectation of prompt response could very well be deadly disappointing.