What would you do if you saw two people on the street beating someone smaller and weaker while you are off duty, or if you are not an LEO?

**Jenna** · 01-18-08, 10:05 AM

What would you do if you saw two people on the street beating someone smaller and weaker while you are off duty (or if you are not an LEO)? Would you try to physically intervene? Ask them to stop? Run and call the police?

If I were part of a crowd I'd ask them to stop while calling 911 (since others would be doing the same and the assailants couldn't come after us all), but if I were alone I'd run and hide before calling 911, since I'd be afraid they'd come after me if they saw me trying to get help, and I'd be unarmed and lacking in any fighting skills.

**Hannah87** · 01-18-08, 10:23 AM

I'd intervene somehow, with force or without. If I was getting the shit beat outta me i'd want someone, anyone to intervene.

**jmur5074** · 01-18-08, 10:56 AM

That's a pretty open ended, broad question.

Depends on what type of assault they're inflicting on the victim, are they pushing and shoving him/her, or is the victim on the ground, and they're stomping them on the head?
Weapons?
Size, strength, fighting/athletic ability of the assailants?
Are there other people around or just me?
Is the victim awake, able to run? Or Unconcious or otherwise disabled?

With the little bit of information I have, I would say I'd call first, to get the calvary coming. A 15 second phone call with location and brief description.....then I'd jump in the fracas. I'm not going to stand there and watch someone get beaten to a pulp, or even worse, killed.

Depending on the answers to the above questions, I'd jump in and fight, draw down on them, shoot them, etc. Who knows. Very broad question...

**Jenna** · 01-18-08, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by jmur5074

That's a pretty open ended, broad question.
Depends on what type of assault they're inflicting on the victim, are they pushing and shoving him/her, or is the victim on the ground, and they're stomping them on the head?
Weapons?
Size, strength, fighting/athletic ability of the assailants?
Are there other people around or just me?
Is the victim awake, able to run? Or Unconcious or otherwise disabled?

Ok, let's say the assailants are shoving the victim, slapping and punching the victim in the face and torso, and kicking the victim in the legs and torso. They are not using weapons, but may have weapons concealed (you can't tell). Each of the two assailants has about the same size, strength, and athletic ability as you. The victim is conscious and could run away, but is being held down.

**Hannibal** · 01-18-08, 11:05 AM

Jenna,

Do I like or dislike the person who is getting beat down?

j/k

I would assess the situation and most definitely call (or have someone call) before getting in the mix. That way help is already on the way.

If it is likely that someone is going to get seriously hurt, then I would intervene. If it looks to be what I call a fair fight and no one is taking too much punishment, then I would be a good witness for when the pohleece get there.

Other considerations would be who I am there with. If it is just me and my wife, or other family member, I would lean more towards the witness side. If it is me and one or two of the boys from work or a friend from another agency, etc. then it is more likely be ass whoopin time.

**mack** · 01-18-08, 11:05 AM

Since I always have at least one cellphone with me I would call 911, and also I agree with jmur, depending on the type of assault and what weapons were involved, I would jump in and do my best.

**catcher T** · 01-18-08, 11:09 AM

this has happened to me, two guys on one, I stopped that, when the one that was getting his arse kicked went through an open door, I closed the door behind him and the other two just stared me down, I said try it, they looked at each other and then left. whew, that was really stupid of me though, sometimes my reflexes think faster then my brain, is some cases thats good.

**narcodog** · 01-18-08, 11:10 AM

Jenna , you are a Democrat. You would have to have a consult before you did anything then you would tell the offender that you would get back with them shortly.

I would evaluate the situation the take the necessary measure to settle the violation. Typical use of force continuum.

**MacLean** · 01-18-08, 12:09 PM

Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.

**dadyswat** · 01-18-08, 01:03 PM

I would just call some of my liberial friends and they could over and reason with the bad guys. I'm afraid if used force to intervene my liberial friends would have me sued and I might lose my house. If I was the victim I would use anything at my disposal to netrualize the threat.

**Willowdared** · 01-18-08, 01:18 PM

I would call my Comm Center (if on a cell phone), have them transfer me to the appropriate agency (if it's not my dept's area), and be the best witness possible.

**countybear** · 01-18-08, 01:23 PM

I would call the Westboro Church to protest the beating, then drop a can of Clear Out in the middle of them all when they showed up.

**lewisipso** · 01-18-08, 03:38 PM

After what I would hope to be careful observation I would intervene. Probably in some physical form. A 1911 has changed many an attitude.

**MacLean** · 01-18-08, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

A 1911 has changed many an attitude.

Excellent point.

**Cidp24** · 01-18-08, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by maclean

Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act.

+1

This is one of those "you have to be there" things. Hard to answer without all the circumstances. I will say that the first move should be to get some on-duty help headed your way.

**jmur5074** · 01-18-08, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Cidp24

+1

This is one of those "you have to be there" things. Hard to answer without all the circumstances. I will say that the first move should be to get some on-duty help headed your way.

Exactly.

A guarentee is to get help coming...then it's up to the continually changing circumstances.

**Resident Smart Ass** · 01-18-08, 04:16 PM

I'd call CB and ask him to speak to the smaller guy to give him some moral support

**armsmaster270** · 01-18-08, 04:26 PM

First of all is it Term being beaten?

I have been in that situation in a stop and rob assbite didnt like the guy being in front of him and started to slap him around for no reason, theh he hauled back to give him a good punch and as his elbow cane back for the swing I grabbed it and continued going back with it. He went on his ass then started to get up and charge me when I swept My shirt back showing my badge and my 1911. Attitude changed and he was Outa there fast.

**mavriktu** · 01-18-08, 04:34 PM

Over the years ,I have been there /done that many times.Sometimes armed,sometimes not.I call 911 (these days) jump out and in a COMMANDING voice identify myself,and attempt to seperate from a distance(if unarmed),or jump in and seperate as needed.After you carry for so long,you sometimes tend to forget that you are armed,and usually,in my case at least,they are shocked and suprised,and it seems to work.Only 1 time have I actually had to get physical,and a hammer lock and a cinder block wall seemed to work quite well.