Hitchhikers

[DWGal210]

I was on my way home from being out of town for a few days, and as I taking the entrance ramp into our town, there was a man visibly hitchiking on the side of the ramp. I didn't stop - he looked "shifty" at best, as I drove by I looked in my rear view to see if anyone else was stopping. They weren't.

To clarify - I didn't see a broken down car, he wasn't visibly bleeding or hurt, etc. If I did come across someone in a bad way, I would of course stop and offer help if the police were not there.

But it got me thinking; does ANYONE stop and pick up hitchikers anymore?? I was always taught how dangerous it was; and especially since there is a state prison not that far from where I live, God only knows who would be trying to hitch a ride.

Am I the only one who doesn't stop?

 

[Myothername]

I was on my way home from being out of town for a few days, and as I taking the entrance ramp into our town, there was a man visibly hitchiking on the side of the ramp. I didn't stop - he looked "shifty" at best, as I drove by I looked in my rear view to see if anyone else was stopping. They weren't.

To clarify - I didn't see a broken down car, he wasn't visibly bleeding or hurt, etc. If I did come across someone in a bad way, I would of course stop and offer help if the police were not there.

But it got me thinking; does ANYONE stop and pick up hitchikers anymore?? I was always taught how dangerous it was; and especially since there is a state prison not that far from where I live, God only knows who would be trying to hitch a ride.

Am I the only one who doesn't stop?

The only times I have ever stopped is for this lady I see walking from the Dollar Store to her house. She always has 2-3 kids with her and I figure she won't hurt me with all those bags in her hands. I also gave a ride about a mile down the road to this mentally disabled man we buy firewood from. I am much bigger than him and could take him on easily.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Does ANYONE stop? I'm sure they do.

Are you the only one who doesn't stop? Of course not.

I don't think I've ever stopped for any stranger. I have called 9.1.1. or the police if necessary. Before cell phones, I recall pulling off at the next exit a couple of times and using a pay phone. But especially since having kids, I really value my life and won't take unnecessary risks with strangers.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

There was a story on the news just yesterday I think...a 13 year old boy escaped from his house with chains on his ankles and around his neck. They interviewed a neighbor (a woman) who he had asked for help, and she ignored him because she thought he might be a criminal or something. It really irked me...I don't think she did ANYTHING. I'd be calling the police at the very least.

 

[DWGal210]

There was a story on the news just yesterday I think...a 13 year old boy escaped from his house with chains on his ankles and around his neck. They interviewed a neighbor (a woman) who he had asked for help, and she ignored him because she thought he might be a criminal or something. It really irked me...I don't think she did ANYTHING. I'd be calling the police at the very least.

Poor child!! That is awful. Being apprehensive about an adult is one thing, but a child, with chains on them?! I like to think it that situation, I would help. Poor kiddo!!!

 

[MIGrandma]

I would never stop to pick up a hitchhiker. Never. I don't care how innocent they look, or if they're standing beside a car that appears to have a problem. You just never know these days and I won't take that chance.

 

[WDSearcher]

There was a story on the news just yesterday I think...a 13 year old boy escaped from his house with chains on his ankles and around his neck. They interviewed a neighbor (a woman) who he had asked for help, and she ignored him because she thought he might be a criminal or something. It really irked me...I don't think she did ANYTHING. I'd be calling the police at the very least.

It's easy to judge something like this after the fact. But it's harder to know what to do in the moment. You don't expect to see a teenager in chains on your doorstep, and I don't think the scenario "was being held in chains by his parents and managed to escape" immediately comes to mind. I have to admit, my first thought would have been that someone is either playing a practical joke or it's some weird club initiation thing. It's not like it's something you hear about every day. And most people can't fathom that someone would actually do that to a kid -- it's just bizarre enough to come across as made up, y'know?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Poor child!! That is awful. Being apprehensive about an adult is one thing, but a child, with chains on them?! I like to think it that situation, I would help. Poor kiddo!!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20012395-504083.html

According to KOVR, Sacramento police said they found the 13-year-old victim asking neighbors for help just before 10:00 p.m. Friday, while still restrained by lengths of chain padlocked around his neck and ankles. The sight of the chained boy startled neighbor Samantha Xiong, who had her own two young children in her house, the station reported.
"The little boy was walking and he asked us for a chain cutter," Xiong said. "I told him we didn't have one, so he just walked away."
Samantha said she thought the boy may have been an escaped prisoner and didn't offer any further assistance, something she says she now regrets.

She said in the video that I saw that she just ignored him.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

It's easy to judge something like this after the fact. But it's harder to know what to do in the moment. You don't expect to see a teenager in chains on your doorstep, and I don't think the scenario "was being held in chains by his parents and managed to escape" immediately comes to mind. I have to admit, my first thought would have been that someone is either playing a practical joke or it's some weird club initiation thing. It's not like it's something you hear about every day. And most people can't fathom that someone would actually do that to a kid -- it's just bizarre enough to come across as made up, y'know?

What I'm "judging" her for is doing nothing. Would I let this kid in my house? No. But I'd be on the phone in a flash calling the police. No, I wouldn't know what the story was, and it wouldn't be up to me to interpret what I was seeing, except for the simple fact that a young boy is in chains and asking for help. It's up to the police, and my part in it would be to get the police there.

 

[pixiewings71]

I don't stop, it's just too much of an unknown. I have 2 girls at home, 1 DD on her own and 1 DGD and I can't see myself picking up a hitcher ever. I've stopped to see if people needed help, I have my doors locked and crack the window to see if they need me to call 911, if so I do, if not I leave.

On the flip side I had a flat tire on my way home from work one day and was pulled over on the side of the road, I have AAA and had already called them and my girls' sitter but AAA said it was going to be 45-60 min. so I was just waiting in the car, I can't tell you how many people just drove past me without stopping.....it was really ridiculous, no one even slowed down to see if I needed help. That was a bit frustrating and helped us make the choice to make sure we always have AAA no matter what.

 

[LilyLake]

I don't pick up hitchhikers, either. You never know what kind of danger you could be exposing yourself to.

But on the off-topic of stopping to help stranded motorists: Last year I had a flat tire. I had already called my husband, but he wasn't there yet. A SHERIFF drove right past me and didn't stop! I know that most people have a cell phone and can call for help, but there must still be some people who would actually need some help. He could have at least stopped and made sure I had been able to reach somebody. Changing a tire by myself would be quite an ordeal.

 

[PattnFmly]

No, now I would never stop for a hitchhiker. When I've seen a obvious broken down car here in the city, I've called the police, but as a woman, usually alone in the car or with my DS's, I don't stop. Now when I was in college though, my girlfriends and I would always stop - especially if it was a young man! We would laugh about a possible romantic or se*ual encounter ... as a good thing !!! ... it's a wonder we weren't abducted and killed! But we lived for the moment back then!

 

[dislaney]

No, I don't pick up hitchhikers!

 

[Imzadi]

On the flip side I had a flat tire on my way home from work one day and was pulled over on the side of the road, I have AAA and had already called them and my girls' sitter but AAA said it was going to be 45-60 min. so I was just waiting in the car, I can't tell you how many people just drove past me without stopping.....it was really ridiculous, no one even slowed down to see if I needed help. That was a bit frustrating and helped us make the choice to make sure we always have AAA no matter what.

You might not WANT a person to stop & help you. in this type of situation where you are stranded, you are easy pickings for a predator.

I know a woman who started a Victims supporting other victims organization after her car broke down. Yes, a man stopped to "help" her. He actually did fix her car. Then he "helped" himself to her by raping her right there at the side of the road afterwards.

Changing a tire by myself would be quite an ordeal.

That is sooooo not true. That kind of belief system leaves you in learned helplessness. I was taught to change a tire at the age of 10. I have changed 5 in my life.

Get the right kind of jack that you can work with your foot. Get the kind of lug wrench that you can also work with your feet for leverage. Or get one that you can power using your cigarette lighter to power it.

 

[Chelley00]

\That is sooooo not true. That kind of belief system leaves you in learned helplessness. I was taught to change a tire at the age of 10. I have changed 5 in my life. I'm female, 125 lbs.

Get the right kind of jack that you can work with your foot. Get the kind of lug wrench that you can also work with your feet for leverage. Or get one that you can power using your cigarette lighter to power it.

I wasn't allowed to get my license until I could change my own tire. I love my dad for that, because it's saved me more than once. However, I wouldn't do it now in my mini-van. It's way different than it was 15 years ago.

 

[Imzadi]

I wasn't allowed to get my license until I could change my own tire. I love my dad for that, because it's saved me more than once. However, I wouldn't do it now in my mini-van. It's way different than it was 15 years ago.

Yes, my dad taught me, too.

Eeps! I forgot about mini-vans & big SUVs. Okay, I take back my last post. I haven't changed one on those. Even with the right equipment at hand, it would be an ordeal at the side of a road.

 

[Imzadi]

But on the off-topic of stopping to help stranded motorists: Last year I had a flat tire. I had already called my husband, but he wasn't there yet. A SHERIFF drove right past me and didn't stop! I know that most people have a cell phone and can call for help, but there must still be some people who would actually need some help. He could have at least stopped and made sure I had been able to reach somebody. Changing a tire by myself would be quite an ordeal.

You probably didn't exhibit the normal signs of someone in trouble who wasn't able to call & have help on the way.

I'm thinking the police are used to spotting the difference in behaviors. Like, I *think* if you hadn't been able to call for help, you might outside the car, or at least hanging out the window, trying to flag people down for help. You'd be looking out the rear view mirror, or definitely behind you to see who was coming.

When the sheriff passed by you, you might have started honking the horn desperately, or jumped out waving your hands over your head, yelling to him to stop & come back.

Maybe they are used to people pulled over by the side of the road just to use their cellphones, as that is the law in many states now.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't stop for hitchhikers or people with flat tires anymore. I occasionally picked up hitchhikers (typically people out of gas) and frequently changed tires for incompetent people back in my young and single days.

My favorite roadside assistance moment came during a hurricane. I was trying to get home and the wind and rain were crazy. I just missed a light. When I stopped I saw a guy in the next lane holding jumper cables and obviously looking for help. I popped my hood. He hooked up, started his car, unhooked, closed my hood and gave me a thumbs up. The light changed and I drove off.

I know some people that regularly pick up hitchhikers. They do so because they see them as opportunities to evangelize.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

I would never pick up a stranger, however, we have a mentally handicapped woman who lives by my mother. When I see her walking down the street, I will ask her is she would like a ride. She is very kind and appreciative and is usually just walking down the street for food items.

But I would NEVER put myself or my children at risk with a stranger.

 

[Imzadi]

One time I was driving on the interstate. I don't remember which state, Nevada maybe? It was a long, dry, dusty road. Very quiet. I come upon a hitchhiker at the side of the road. I drive past as I never pick them up.

About a half mile further down the road there is this HUMONGOUS road sign saying:

State Prison ahead:
Do NOT pick up hitchhikers
Do NOT stop for pedestrians
Do NOT stop at the side of the road
Do NOT pick anyone up
No parking or stopping
Keep driving, do not stop
Do NOT pick up hitchhikers


Then, just when I thought, "Am I seeing things correctly? there are a couple MORE signs, even bigger:

Do NOT pick up hitchhikers


I thought, "Hmm, glad I didn't pick that guy up." But, what about people who DO pick up hitchhikers, then come upon the signs with the hitchhiker in the car?

About a mile down the road, I drive by the gated driveway to the state prison. More signs. More warnings.

Then about 200 ft ahead, there are a couple more guys leisurely hitchhiking.

So, now, I'm starting to think: Those "hitchhikers" are just some townspeople, who have nothing better to do than mess with the tourists driving through.

If these people were really escaped cons, why wouldn't they be RUNNING from the prison instead of standing on the road close to the drive, or walking toward the prison?