So you smash his head in with a crowbar.

[Plaidman]

Gah. I hate it when people do this.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...0.000000:b0:z5

Fine. Police defended the callers actions. Several people called 911 to report a 15 year old kid raping a woman. No-one interfered. Some thought it was just a game. Others didnt know what. I suppose some of them are being branded cowards (including by me) because they didn't want to be hurt. Police defend their actions.

Yeah. Sorry that your too chickenshit to, well, you know, grab the kid and beat the crap out of him? No mention if he had any weapons, but I doubt he had. I swear. So many people are so damn afraid of being hurt themselves, they'll let others die before lifting a fucking precious finger.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

The whole kitty genovese syndrome things pisses me off to no end too.

The question, for everyone it seems, is: What if he did have a weapon ?!?!

The whole mindset seems to be 'never ever put yourself in danger!' despite the fact that putting a stop to such things ends the threat. So, I don't really give a shit WHAT it is, but, weapon the fuck up and help...

[jackfaire]

The sad part is people will get violent to stop you from helping a victim. My brother was renting a basement apartment once. I was over visiting with our younger brother and him. I heard the guy upstairs start beating his girlfriend.

My brothers physically hauled me out of there it was over before I got the chance to do anything.

[Talon]

I heard about that. I also heard that people not only did not intervene, they didn't even bother to call 911.

Can I resign from the human race? I hear the Vulcans are accepting applications.

[Crescent Cat]

I wouldn't intervene because I'm small and physically weak. Sure, I'd do all I could to help, which would pretty much just be to call 911 but I'm sorry - at 4'11 and 96lbs there is no way I'm charging in to try and stop a violent crime.

Quite frankly I don't blame the woman that called 911. The article is pretty short and vague, but it does state that she feels guilty for not helping more. That and it also doesn't say how large the 15y/o is. Don't assume that just because he's a kid that he's a scrawny pushover. Some kids are freakin' huge.

I'm all for people defending and helping each other out from criminals but you shouldn't automatically blame and demonize people that don't rush in. At least she called for help. Some people won't even do that much.

[Greenday]

I'm with Crescent. I'm guessing that the caller was not some built, MMA fighter. And have you seen some 15 year olds? I'm turning 22 in less than two months. I've met 15 year olds bigger than me (5'10" 190 lbs) that could kick my ass at will. Now if that's the kind of guy who was raping the woman on the side of the road, I don't see how you can expect a woman who is probably almost half the size of me.

[Rageaholic]

There is nothing to charge her with. She called the police, who are well trained in handling those situations to take care of the problem. She shouldn't be obligated to put herself in harms way just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Greenday]

There is nothing to charge her with. She called the police, who are well trained in handling those situations to take care of the problem. She shouldn't be obligated to put herself in harms way just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Not too mention most people don't have weapons handy, which would also fall under assault with a deadly weapon.

[Plaidman]

I'm not expecting small weak people to jump in and be a hero. I do expect that a GROUP of people should help. Even tiny people can hurt a kid with a car. VRRRRRRRRRRRROM, make it look he going get run over, he'll likely run.


Yeah. I do forget how often though, that people aren't suppose to help each other, or do the right thing. I've learn that rather greatly recently, that its the thiving, jerks, lazy, lying scumbags that can do what they want, and never be punished.

[Plaidman]

Not to mention. If your being raped, you don't want people to stop it. Because they might get hurt cause they are small and might get hurt. Just taking one for the team.

[Rageaholic]

The article linked in the OP was kind of vauge, but the following should shed some light onto it.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs...27/0/FRONTPAGE

I'm leaning more toward the side of the OP now. I understand not knowing what to do in a situation like that, but that's just pathetic. I think it's our responsibility NOT to let something like this happen if we see it happening, especially when there are so many witnesses around. At least normally people would be safe in broad daylight, but this is just allowing scumbugs to get away with stuff because people don't care.

Though at least those who called the police did something, I would rather we as humans would at least take the stand against this stuff when we can.

Sucky situation all around.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

While this is perhaps not the average situation, it still doesn't excuse the general sentiment of 'don't get involved'. A call is literally the least one could do.

Moreover, you don't really have to search far and wide for something to use as a weapon in a pinch. To say nothing of the fact that I, personally, think that people should take it upon themselves to be prepared in the first place. Seriously, how much does a can of mace/pepper spray cost? It's not as if I'm asking everyone to walk around with Desert Eagles [sarcasm]even though that would be awesome [/sarcasm]

Just because it's not the ideal (firearm) doesn't mean it's useless...

[Savannah]

Count me in the "I don't see anything wrong with what she did" crowd. (The ones who didn't call 911, now...there must be a special level of hell for that.)

Look at it this way, she insured that the police (who are trained to deal with this sort of thing) would come to help the woman being raped and also insured that she would still be around and in condition to identify and testify against the rapist. Even if she were confidant that she could physically take him, people sometimes freeze up in a crisis, and she may not have thought about any of the things that you are suggesting.

[Nyoibo]

think that people should take it upon themselves to be prepared in the first place. Seriously, how much does a can of mace/pepper spray cost? It's not as if I'm asking everyone to walk around with Desert Eagles [sarcasm]even though that would be awesome [/sarcasm]

Can you defend yourself with your bare hands, nothing else, not every place allowes you to carry an offensive weapon, in Australia pepper spray is a prohibited weapon, it's illegal to carry any weapon except under specific circumstances and you have to be licensed to carry them.

When I say weapon it covers pepper spray, batons (extendable or fixed) knives, firearms, pretty much anything that can be used to inflict damage on another person, yes it's even illegal to carry something like a screwdriver without a reason.

[AdminAssistant]

Moreover, you don't really have to search far and wide for something to use as a weapon in a pinch. To say nothing of the fact that I, personally, think that people should take it upon themselves to be prepared in the first place. Seriously, how much does a can of mace/pepper spray cost? It's not as if I'm asking everyone to walk around with Desert Eagles [sarcasm]even though that would be awesome [/sarcasm]

Just because it's not the ideal (firearm) doesn't mean it's useless...

As I'm getting ready to leave, my thought process isn't "coat, gloves, purse, bookbag, weapon in case I see someone committing a felony". If the guy is raping someone, how exactly are you going to spray pepper spray in his face. How would you shoot him without putting his victim at risk? Because you're such a fantastic shot in an emergency situation? And how do you know he doesn't have a gun?

The woman did all she could do, she notified the proper authorities.