So You Want to be a Hero?

Last week a group of bystanders helped the police catch a bad guy after he robbed a woman coming out of Barcode. It was well done and no one was hurt. While I think we need to take more chances on behalf of our neighbors, RVANews has some cautionary advice from experts on how and when to intervene in a crime scene.

“That is good news all around,” said Dr. Jay Albanese, a Criminal Justice Professor at VCU and author of Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice: Being Ethical When No One is Looking. “That’s what being a Good Samaritan is all about.” Dr. Albanese said that the witnesses who pursued the thief while keeping in contact with 911 operators highlights a new asset for those who want to help even complete strangers. “In our cellphone-era I think it’s easier to be responsible.” However, Dr. Albanese cautions that not all Good Samaritans intervene with impunity. “Sometimes the outcome is not what’s intended.”

“Resistance works in Steven Seagal movies,” said Dr. Albanese. “It rarely works in real life.” He says that when bystanders confront either a criminal or medical emergency, the first move should be to dial 911. Once in touch with a dispatcher, Good Samaritans can channel information between first responders and victims. “The utility is in the information rather than wrestling the guy to the ground,” said Dr. Albanese. “You don’t want to risk your life for someone who has [merely] lost property.”

photo by AnnieGreenSprings via RVANews.