Wwyd

[Rafiki31]

Your watching the news, you see a clip fo someone knocking off a corner store. You recognize this person. You know he has a drug problem. You know jail does not help him, only makes his drug habit worse. You know he would never intentionally hurt someone, but drugs make him a bad person and he is not himself.

Do you call the police? Let the legal system throw him back to jail?

Do you call his mom and see if she will have him hauled back to rehab? He has had some success with rehab, but it never lasts long enough. His mom has been through the ringer.

Do you do nothing an hope someone else handles it? This seems to be the approach of my entire group of people. This will not resolve itself. He is headed for jail or death either way. It is painful to watch. I would rather he be in prison alive then dead on the street.

 

[pearlieq]

I would call the cops.

The owner of that corner store has the right to operate their business without fear and robbery.

Even if he would never intentionally hurt someone sober, he could very easily hurt someone accidentally or when not sober.

Getting clean in jail is certainly harder than in rehab, but not impossible and it's his responsibility.

Would you feel the same way about someone who robbed your house? Smashed out the window of your car and stole your GPS? Or, God forbid, hit your family member while DWI? Would you really want "someone else to handle it"?

 

[Hercules10]

Depending on the circumstances (and jurisdiction) a person may be required to inform the authorities if they have information identifying a suspect.

No matter his or her personal problems, innocent folks should not have to be exposed to criminal behavior.

Get them off the streets is what I'd do.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Your watching the news, you see a clip fo someone knocking off a corner store. You recognize this person. You know he has a drug problem. You know jail does not help him, only makes his drug habit worse. You know he would never intentionally hurt someone, but drugs make him a bad person and he is not himself.

Do you call the police? Let the legal system throw him back to jail?

Do you call his mom and see if she will have him hauled back to rehab? He has had some success with rehab, but it never lasts long enough. His mom has been through the ringer.

Do you do nothing an hope someone else handles it? This seems to be the approach of my entire group of people. This will not resolve itself. He is headed for jail or death either way. It is painful to watch. I would rather he be in prison alive then dead on the street.

Call the police!

 

[MushyMushy]

I'd call the cops even if it were my own child.

 

[JessicaR]

Your first response is the correct one. I'm sure the most difficult one too. Thats the right thing to do his actions will only get worse.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I'd call the cops even if it were my own child.

 

[lspst8]

I would call the police too.

What if next time, something much worse happens? He tries to rob a person and someone is hurt? He is driving under the influence and a terrible accident takes place?

Jail may not be ideal, but maybe this time he will hit rock bottom and change his life around. He should not be on the streets as a danger to others.

If you wait for someone else to handle it, he may be dead soon. Or he may hurt or kill a stranger in the mean time.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

Call the cops.

Sorry, but this is how I see it - this person is no longer any use to society. He/She is a drug abuser, most likely doesn't work, and is hurting others even though you say he wouldn't hurt anyone, he is, That store owner just got robbed!! Yeah, insurance will probably cover everything, but now this store owner has to look over his/her sholder for many years to come. Why would you want to protect someone like that? I understand maybe wanting to protect the mother who has been "put through the wringer" but at what cost - to everyone he comes into contact with??? Do the right thing.

 

[Jennasis]

Drugs make good people do bad things. Eventually it will escalate to potentially hurting himself or others.

I'd be obligated to call the authorities, and if this is a true story and it's someone you know, I feel you should make the call as well. For this guy's sake as well as the lives of others he may harm.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'd call the cops even if it were my own child.

Me too.

 

[shirleyb]

Of course I'd call the police. What about the person he robbed? What about the people he might rob in the future?

 

[Scurvy]

I'd call the police, and then I'd be prepared to act as a character witness at his trial if necessary in the hope that he would get put into a program of some sort rather than just being sent to prison.

 

[Rafiki31]

I know I need to call, its just making me want to throw up. I love this person. I do not want him to die. I know my friends and family are going to be upset with me for calling, and we all know that I am going to be the one to make the call.

Nutterbutter- what a cold mean thing to say. This person who is "no use to society" spent a few years fighting in a war to protect your freedom. He has a problem, he is not a bad person.

 

[brockash]

Your watching the news, you see a clip fo someone knocking off a corner store. You recognize this person. You know he has a drug problem. You know jail does not help him, only makes his drug habit worse. You know he would never intentionally hurt someone, but drugs make him a bad person and he is not himself.

Do you call the police? Let the legal system throw him back to jail?

Do you call his mom and see if she will have him hauled back to rehab? He has had some success with rehab, but it never lasts long enough. His mom has been through the ringer.

Do you do nothing an hope someone else handles it? This seems to be the approach of my entire group of people. This will not resolve itself. He is headed for jail or death either way. It is painful to watch. I would rather he be in prison alive then dead on the street.

You call the police and do the right thing. How would you feel if someone "knocked off" your house (or did something worse, like hurting you or your family "unintentionally"?) Would it be okay, and would you not want justice if it was a drug addict??
It doesn't matter if you think jail doesn't help this person, this person needs to hit rock bottom (whatever that is for them) and start being responsible for their actions, for them to ever get better. Enabler's (like someone not reporting him committing a crime) will only make him worse.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I know I need to call, its just making me want to throw up. I love this person. I do not want him to die. I know my friends and family are going to be upset with me for calling, and we all know that I am going to be the one to make the call.

Nutterbutter- what a cold mean thing to say. This person who is "no use to society" spent a few years fighting in a war to protect your freedom. He has a problem, he is not a bad person.

Sorry, its the way I see it. Anyone who robs stores with no concern for anything including themselves is, to me, no longer any use to society. Unless he cleans up his act, that is. What if you owned this store, and some druggie comes in after hours to rob it. But its the Christmas season, and your working overtime, and your there?? What if you have your kids there helping you?? This guy comes in - you don't know if he has a gun, a knife, or what. How would you feel then?

 

[Scurvy]

I know I need to call, its just making me want to throw up. I love this person. I do not want him to die. I know my friends and family are going to be upset with me for calling, and we all know that I am going to be the one to make the call.

How will they know that you are the one who called? It could have been anyone who knew him. I don't think they publicize the names of those who identify suspects.

 

[JessicaR]

I wouldn't be concerned or worried that anyone will know it was you that made the call. You just saw this on TV last night and anyone could have called.

You need to rationalize that you have no control over his actions. What you want for him his not his reality. He has to do it and he has to want to.

You need to make the call. I'm sure you feel stressed over keeping this information. After you call that burden will be lifted.

I am in hopes that others here can take it easy on this poster and try and have a little empathy.

 

[Rafiki31]

Wow, I am a basket case right now.


I just called, and they already have him in custody. He turned himself in early this morning. I tried his mom, no answer. I imagine she is having a difficult day. And they did want my name BTW. I told them I would feel better not giving it, and the lady kept asking several times. Name and number to reach me back at. I did not give it. I did talk to his brother, he said that they recvd several calls this morning after the news was on, so apparently a lot of people saw it.


Nutterbutter-He is the way he is because he volunteered to die for you, even though he has never met you. That is the kind of person he is. We are lucky to have people like him in the world.

I guess now we wait and see what happens. I hope they can get him the help he needs.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Hugs.