Do you believe bystanders have a responsibility to intervene when there is trouble?

3

0

Posted 12 y ago

While I will not comment on ALL bystanders, I believe that I have a responsibility to intervene when there is trouble.  That is the way I was raised.  I believe that if I have an opportunity to help or to provide assistance to someone, I should.  There are those occasions where not intervening is expected.  Those would be scenarios like when paramedics or law enforcement officials are performing their duties and any intervention on my part would hinder the accomplishment of their job.  But by and large, if I can intervene to help someone out, I will. 

(3)

Comment

(0)

SGM (Join to see)

12 y

I completely agree. Too many bystanders will sit there and expect someone else to do something. I have seen 2 bad accidents happen in a bad intersection near out house and it is appalling how many people will just stand there instead of running in and trying to help out or at least see what can be done.

I think the majority that stand there and do not act are the ones that do not want to put themselves in harms way and wait for someone else to do it. I like you will intervene in any situation where my help can change the course of the incident for the better.

(1)

Reply

(0)

2

0

CW3 (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I'd say it all depends on the situation. If I roll up on an accident, and the cops and firefighters and paramedics are already there, then they've got it under control. No reason for me to stop, as I'd only be in the way.

If I roll up on someone using a knife to mug someone else, well, let's just say that mugger will be about to have a very bad day. If they're using a gun, well, that's why I carry a cell phone on my belt. If I'm off post....I do have the option for concealed carry.
If I roll up on someone being stupid, and they hurt themselves somehow, sure I'll call the authorities to get them help, but that might be the extent of what I do...

(2)

Comment

(0)

2

0

Cpl Benjamin Long

Posted 12 y ago

This is a tricky question... Sometimes when people intervene they make matters worse because they may not know what to do... or they may get in the way attempting to help someone on the scene where more qualified people are attempting to help... Since the situation vary, one can never really know whether their aide will help or harm so it is more of a gamble...

(2)

Comment

(0)

SFC A.M. Drake

12 y

So from your response you are undecided?

(0)

Reply

(0)

Cpl Benjamin Long

12 y

no, the help that I can provide would be mitigated by the situation... If I help one person to lose four... that would not be an equitable trade.

(1)

Reply

(0)

Cpl Benjamin Long

12 y

Let me analogize here... Let's assume that you roll up on someone getting stomped into the ground... so you shoot and kill the man doing the beat down... Once the situation is examined you find out the you killed a man that was defending himself against a robber and you helped a mugger and killed his victim... You need to know what is going on before jumping in the fire.

(0)

Reply

(0)

1

0

SSG (Join to see)

Edited 12 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

People say they would intervene if for instance they were witness to an accident or crime in progress such as child abduction, but like combat (although I have no combat experience) I believe you never really know how you will react until you are dropped into that situation.

In the heat of moment is when you discover who you are.

Its one of the reasons why I joined the Army. Wish I joined RA probably would have deployed by now...

(1)

Comment

(0)

1

0

SSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I would say yes but it definitely depends on the situation as well as what kind of assistance they are capable of giving.

(1)

Comment

(0)

1

0

1SG Calanski Brunson

Posted 12 y ago

I was raised to believe we should help each other out no matter what the problem is big or small too me that is what makes the human race great when we put aside our personal difference and come together.

(1)

Comment

(0)

1

0

SSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I think we are responsible to intervene; but why we need laws or written responsibilities
to tell us that we should help a human being in need. Good Samaritan laws are somehow
contradicting to its purpose; a person that wants to help would be more valuable
than one who is obligated to do so.

(1)

Comment

(0)

1

0

SGT(P) (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

SFC Drake,

Luckily in America, we don't. There are countries that have the Good Samaritan laws, but they do not apply everywhere here. I find those to be a double edged sword. I am the type that has stopped and assisted numerous times to help someone in need. For the most part, I will intervene. However, if my safety is in danger, I will do whatever I can as safely as possible. Maybe some of this I can chalk up to the firefighter in me, but at the end of the day, I have to take care of number 1.

Often times I feel like a bad human being when I watch What Would You Do and realize that in many of those situations, I would not intervene. If life, limb or eyesight were at stake, I'd help. If it was just an ignorant person, I'd mind my own business. I am not a one man Team America: World Police bent on saving the world. However, I will do my part to defend the nation as a whole.

(1)

Comment

(0)

CW3 (Join to see)

12 y

SGT Mickles, there are Good Samaritan laws in several states here... they mainly apply to those with advanced training like doctors, paramedics, nurses, and firefighters. There are also some laws protecting good samaritan bystanders who help in an emergency.

(2)

Reply

(0)

SGT(P) (Join to see)

12 y

You know me, Chief. I would help if I could, but sometimes, you have to weigh the risk with the possible outcome. Whereas you would jack up someone with a knife, I'd be the one getting jacked up. For crimes in progress, I probably will not intervene, but for accidents, I will.

(0)

Reply

(0)

0

Ava S

Posted 9 y ago

I believe that people should do what they think is right. I t all depends on what kind of person you are. Some people are rude and do not help others, some try to hurt them. Others depending on who you were raised by and your life in general would have different responses to crime and injury. People should help. It is sort of there duty. Some people won't because they think someone else will but they might be thinking the same exact thing. A person will have to live with the guilt of not helping out. Every bit helps people.

(0)

Comment

(0)

0

MSgt (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

Bystanders have a responsibility to act whenever they see a crime being committed whether military or civilian. Failure to intervene is usually not acted upon by authorities however, their actions could become a crime depending how local laws and what force they use to stop the crime. Only you can be the judge of what action you should take; based on the crime being committed and your knowledge of your ability to interfere/stop it. The old adage "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight" comes to mind.

Your conscience should be your guide in these situations. Can you walk by and ignore what is taking place? Can you live with yourself if you know that you could have stopped someone from seriously injuring/killing their victim? Are you equipped to take action without further jeopardizing the victims or your own life? These are all questions you have to ask yourself in about 2 secs, because that is usually how long you have to react to these things, at most.

Much like in a combat zone, you have to make decisions based on your training and skills to affect the outcome of the given situation. In most cases, I think military members in general would be very quick to intervene in some shape form or fashion. It's just the nature of us all that serve in the Armed Forces.

(0)

Comment

(0)

Do you believe bystanders have a responsibility to intervene when there is trouble?

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.