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us Personal safety & immediate danger someone loitering in lobby • person lingering in entryway • suspicious person in apartment lobby • unknown person watching residents • someone hanging around building entrance • creepy person in lobby • possible stalker in lobby • someone waiting by call box • someone tailgating into building • stranger at front door of apartments • person casing the building • resident safety in common areas • suspicious loitering by mailboxes • unsafe to leave apartment now • worried about being followed upstairs • building entry security concern • unknown person near elevator • someone watching who comes and goes

What to do if…
you are inside a building and someone is lingering in the lobby or entry area watching residents

Short answer

Create distance behind a locked door and involve building staff/security or another resident right away. If you think there’s immediate danger or an in-progress crime, call 911.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t confront them alone or try to physically “move them along.”
  • Don’t let them in, prop doors open, or allow “tailgating” through a controlled entrance.
  • Don’t go into isolated areas (garage, stairwell, laundry room, basement) to check what they’re doing.
  • Don’t share your unit number, name, or schedule while you’re unsure what’s happening.
  • Don’t ignore your instincts just because you can’t “prove” anything.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause point. If you’re in your unit, lock your door. If you’re in a hallway, step back into your unit (or a trusted neighbor’s unit) rather than waiting in the corridor.
  2. Pull in immediate backup. Call/text building security, the front desk/concierge (if you have one), or the property manager’s emergency line. If none exist, contact a neighbor to stay with you (or at least stay on the phone) while you decide next steps.
  3. If you must exit, do it with cover—not alone. Wait until you can leave with another resident or staff member. If you have to go now, choose a route that keeps you around other people and avoids garages/basements.
  4. Use 911 for urgent risk; otherwise use local non-emergency channels.
    • Call 911 if you believe there’s an immediate threat, someone is trying doors, following residents, preventing entry/exit, or you feel unsafe right now.
    • If it feels suspicious but not immediately dangerous, call your local police non-emergency number (building staff/management may have it, or it’s usually listed on your city/police website).
    • If you can’t safely speak, a voice call is still best if possible. If your area supports text-to-911, you can text 911; if it’s not available, you may receive an automatic “bounce-back” message telling you the text didn’t deliver.
  5. Report observable behavior, not assumptions. Share: exact address and which entrance/lobby, what the person is doing (watching residents, waiting by the call box, attempting to follow people in), description (clothes, height/build, identifying features), and whether there’s a nearby vehicle.
  6. Ask management to preserve evidence and handle property enforcement. Request that management/security save camera footage for the relevant timeframe and write an incident note. Depending on local law and property policy, management may be able to document that the person isn’t permitted on-site and coordinate with police on next steps (for example, trespass procedures) without you engaging directly.
  7. If you’re worried you’re being targeted personally, reduce “traceable” exposure right now. Avoid checking mail/package rooms alone, don’t wait at the entrance, and don’t announce your unit or buzz code where others can hear.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide now about moving, buying security gear, or making long-term lifestyle changes.
  • You don’t need to identify the person or confirm their intent before you call for help.
  • You can handle follow-up with management (incident reports, resident reminders about tailgating, access control changes) later.

Important reassurance

Feeling uneasy about someone watching residents in a controlled entry area is a normal safety response. Choosing distance, support, and professional help (security/police) is a practical way to reduce risk without escalating the situation.

Scope note

This is first steps only for the next minutes to hours. If the behavior repeats, involve building management and keep a documented pattern of dates/times to support escalation if needed.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you feel unsafe or believe someone may be at risk, prioritize immediate safety and contact emergency services.

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