Just called 911. Still shaking.

[Cookie]

Just got home from a quick "2 thing" grocery run. While walking to the store, I was coming up to an intersection and saw a young woman trying to push away a young man who was following her. She was screaming "Leave me alone! I don't know you!" She and I made eye contact briefly and I saw the "help" look. They were going North and I was going West, I pulled out my phone as I walked. He threw a can of coke at her that spilled as it went flying. Since it was clear they weren't looking, I slowed down and kept glancing back while I talked to the 911 operator. I described them gave the intersection and the direction they were heading. I have no sense of direction and I'm super grateful we were in one of the few spots I knew which way was North! Before I was off the phone with the operator, he had given up and was walking back the other direction. I moved off in my direction and told the operator. She said she would let the police know.

Totally still shaking here.

[Mytical]

That is a scary situation, and I think you did the right thing to call 911..who knows what the guy could have done? A lot of people don't want to get involved..so thank you for taking the time to help a total stranger.

[Cookie]

Thanks, Mytical. One of the things that was so freaky about it is there were other people around and none of them glanced that way or pulled out their phone even.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Thanks, Mytical. One of the things that was so freaky about it is there were other people around and none of them glanced that way or pulled out their phone even.

Bystander effect. The more people around, the less likely any one of them will do something.

In general, this is believed to happen because as the number of bystanders increases, any given bystander is less likely to notice the situation, interpret the incident as a problem, and less likely to assume responsibility for taking action.

I'm sure that girl is very grateful to you and I'm glad the guy decided to give up.

[Andara Bledin]

I've been known to quite obviously point my camera phone at people behaving badly.

I don't suggest that for everyone, tho, as there are people who will attack others for just being witnesses.

Good for you for being a witness, no matter how furtive.

^-.-^

[Food Lady]

You. Are. Awesome.

[PepperElf]

Bystander effect. The more people around, the less likely any one of them will do something.



I'm sure that girl is very grateful to you and I'm glad the guy decided to give up.

Indeed. If say in the middle of a crowd like the one pictured here I'm pretty sure one person acting out isn't going to be noticed.

but say something more like a small crowd things will stick out more.


and indeed i'm sure the girl is glad that he gave up. i wonder if 911 bothered to find her to let her take a statement

[Seshat]

I've been known to quite obviously point my camera phone at people behaving badly.

I don't suggest that for everyone, tho, as there are people who will attack others for just being witnesses.

My father in law was beaten up this week for doing just that. So yes - be very careful about it. (I'm not saying 'don't do it', I'm just saying be careful.)

Cookie: what you did was perfect. Be proud of yourself.

Did she seem okay after he abandoned his attack?

[depechemodefan]

My father in law was beaten up this week for doing just that.

I hope he's alright now! I hope he didn't end up in the hospital. Though complete strangers will come up to a person and hit them without reason to begin with, so sometimes not even doing something will get you beat up.

I'm glad Cookie that you got involved. Hopefully the police showed up because the guy might have just walked away but hoped for less people around to attack her again.

[Cookie]

Did she seem okay after he abandoned his attack?

She seems to be ok, still walking quickly in the other direction.

Thanks for the encouragement, guys.

Seshat WOW! I hope your father in law was ok.

[Pixilated]

You did more than a lot of people would have, as you saw. Good on you for not being willing to just shrug and walk away!

Seshat: hope your FIL is all right. There's too many people out there with absolutely no empathy for others and they can be dangerous.