If you witnessed a crime, what would be the first thing you will do?
By bingskee
@bingskee (5234)
Philippines
April 25, 2011 11:42am CST
Will you take time reporting it to the authorities or just shrug it off with the thought that it does not concern you?
One Christmas time, in a mall, I saw a man who suddenly sat down among the children's clothes hanging on a rack. I got puzzled and observed. In a few seconds, another man with two bags that had items on it passed them to the man who was squatting/seated then and who had immediately ran away. He was almost running afterwards that I was not able to see where he went.
After a while came two men calling out to the man who passed the bags asking him where the bags are. The man vehemently denied that he had the bags and acted as if he had nothing to do with them. They challenged the man and the man fought back with words cussing the two men.
I froze and I could not do anything. I lost the courage to say anything as I watched. A woman with a child came berating the two men. It seemed she was the company of the thief, or more likely an accomplice.
What was going on in my mind that time were two things. Am I going to say that the allegation of the two men are true when the men who had the bags was nowhere to be found anymore? Am I going to just keep silent? I did not exert an effort because the proof was not there and I could put myself in danger. It will be very useless. It is just so frustrating to see the guards so helpless and useless.
3 people like this
17 responses
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
26 Apr 11
Since you didn't really see the crime occur I don't blame you for not saying anything. If you had seen specifically that would have been different. One time a lady was running out of a store and she got in a car near us while the security came rnning out after her yelling and telling everyone to stop her. As she got in her car and started it my husband grabbed the door and opened it so that it got caught on the car next to her. He then hurried us away so he wouldn't have to pay for it!
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
26 Apr 11
Yes indeed he was that - but he sure messed up two cars that way!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
28 Apr 11
It would depend on how sure I was of what I had seen. There have been some times in my life that I've seen things that just seemed off to me, but I'm not really sure of the circumstances in that situation and because of that I don't feel right reporting what I've seen in those situations. However, if I would see something that was definitely a crime, then there would be no question in my mind that I would report to the authorities.
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
28 Apr 11
that is one of my concerns. i was not really sure if those were the bags the two men were looking for and how they came to know it is that guy. if i could have only witnessed actually the act of stealing then it would inspire me to report it myself.
thank you for your input. 
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
13 May 11
If it were 10 years ago i could have called the police, catch the man etc etc, but now i don't have the vigor, the physical strength lol, moreover, our judicial system is so bad, if you are involved in such incident as a witness even, you will have to keep running to the court for years
So better, i will leave the place, as if i saw nothing..
Thanks for sharing
Cheers, have a wonderful day.
Professor ‘^Bhuwan^’. .
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
28 Apr 11
I too would sort of freeze in shock but shortly after I will have take some form of control and move away and call the police. Reason why I feel that it needs to be reported right away because that could be me and or someone I love and my hopes would be that someone too help out the way I am helping.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
25 Apr 11
In a way, there wasn't proof, because the guy with the merchandise was gone. But here they consider eyewitness testimony to be very important, and you actually saw the guy do it. That really was proof that he had done something. Maybe the other guy would have gotten away with it, but you could have helped them prosecute the guy who was still there.
Easier said than done though. I might have chickened out if it had been me.
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
26 Apr 11
I would also feel very uncomfortable with getting involved in that tough situation. But I do know what it would feel like to be robbed of something. I guess the only thing I could do in that situation would talk to the local law enforcement or maybe the security in the store or mall and then maybe they would get involved. I would be afraid to confront the thief because I don't know if he has a weapon or not.
@jennbart (1330)
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
I will probably report it. If I am suspecting, I will tell the guard that Iam not comfortable with a guy. I wont make it obvious, I will just make it like I am asking a question. I wont look at the guy as the person might get the hint. I will just tell the guard to keep an eye of the person. Now, if the suspects are nowhere to be found or not in the store anymore, I will still report. Guards has 2 way radios anyways.They can radio it to the mall guards anyway. Iam sure the suspects are still within the mall or area and still has not yet gotten out.They can watch out for that at the exits.
@Kalyni2011 (3496)
• India
26 Apr 11
Dear bingkee
My answer will be i will escape from the spot without getting involved any way, i know here the thieves, murderers, culprits have full protections from police and corrupted politicians, they give them share..
once hubby got involved, he had to run to the court several times as witness, leaving his research and teaching, but nothing happened to the culprits
so my principle now is, no head, no headache..
Thank you so much for sharing
Happy posting, cheers.
Namastey.
Kalyani
Happy posting, cheers.
Namastey.
Kalyani
@chocokreme (319)
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
I will first consider my safety. I will report what ive seen. Upon reporting ill ask if the authorities could possibly secure my identity.
@Srbinja (12)
•
25 Apr 11
I dunno if i would report crime,it depends of many things like what was the crime-did criminal stole a car or a popcorns. If it is a ''Heavy'' crime, like if he did a bank robbery, kill or wound a man i would definetly report him.
BUT if i see a poor man steal cause he needs to eat something, i wouldnt report him cause he steal to survive
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
25 Apr 11
Dear Ms. Bingskee 
Given, today's world and the dreaded criminal gangs... I might never do anything but move away from that. Many will say that they will call up the cops etc but the fact is that everyone would prefer an easier life sans these involvements / associations.
The Cops here too are many a times connected with the criminals and I am quite aware of this fact. I may not have a big family behind me, but still, my wife and the peace in my not-so great life too are important.
Given, today's world and the dreaded criminal gangs... I might never do anything but move away from that. Many will say that they will call up the cops etc but the fact is that everyone would prefer an easier life sans these involvements / associations.
The Cops here too are many a times connected with the criminals and I am quite aware of this fact. I may not have a big family behind me, but still, my wife and the peace in my not-so great life too are important.
@chocokreme (319)
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
I will first consider my safety. I will report what ive seen. Upon reporting ill ask if the authorities could possibly secure my identity. I will see to it that the bad guys wont get any information about me so that they couldnt get back at me
