Could what happened in Salem, NJ happen here in our city? (Pittsburgh: food, areas)

[gg]

There is a story about some women that works in fast food running down the street and attacking another women that had a 2 year old child in tow. She beat her senseless in front of the 2 year old and there were plenty of bystanders that did nothing be video the thing almost in a gleeful state. I found it pretty shocking. Not so much the attack, but there was some 2 year old kicking the women doing the beating and no one even helped the little kid out.

My question is, could this happen in Pittsburgh? I really hope not. I would like to think even in the worst areas in Pittsburgh someone would have helped at least the little kid out. I guess I don't want to think this could happen here no matter what street it was on.

** I described the situation enough I hope. I don't suggest looking at the video. I wish I never opened it and I wonder why I did!

[sparrowmint]

Bystander effect is a disturbing psychological occurrence that could happen anywhere. Just one of those random twisted things about humans.

Bystander effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[UKyank]

I can only speak to myself (unfortunately saw the video as well) but would have intervened & at least attempted to stop the worthless animal of a person from beating the woman.

She needs to disappear in prison for a very long time.

[gg]

Originally Posted by UKyank

I can only speak to myself (unfortunately saw the video as well) but would have intervened & at least attempted to stop the worthless animal of a person from beating the woman.

She needs to disappear in prison for a very long time.

I was trying to think what I would do if I ran across such a thing. The questions I would ask myself would be, how many people are here watching? If I get involved would they attack me because of my skin color? If I at least grab the child, would they attack me for doing so? I don't think if I grabbed the kid away people would jump me, but if I kicked that women in the head to make her stop, that might cause a reaction and an escalation could occur.

I still would like to think we are better than that video around here, but maybe I am dreaming?

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I was trying to think what I would do if I ran across such a thing. The questions I would ask myself would be, how many people are here watching? If I get involved would they attack me because of my skin color? If I at least grab the child, would they attack me for doing so? I don't think if I grabbed the kid away people would jump me, but if I kicked that women in the head to make her stop, that might cause a reaction and an escalation could occur.

I still would like to think we are better than that video around here, but maybe I am dreaming?

I should caveat it by saying, I hope that's what I would do, but until you're actually in the moment of the situation you never actually know. & yea, good point in that the bystanders may well have attacked anyone that tried to intervene.

[Faerunner]

Yes, it could happen here, it could happen in NYC, it could happen in Kalamazoo, it could happen in Paris, it could happen anywhere. Humans are weird creatures.

[gg]

Originally Posted by sparrowmint

Bystander effect is a disturbing psychological occurrence that could happen anywhere. Just one of those random twisted things about humans.

I guess I should clarify. The so-called bystanders ran to catch up to the fight to video tape it and they were oohing and awing. I think there is a difference. Would people in Pittsburgh run to the fight to video tape it, knowing there is some little 2 year old in the mix? I find it hard to believe we have such a number of animals with no one around to help. The kid is 2!

[PenguinsFan]

I think it depends in a situation like this if you would physically be able to help. If there are a group of physically fit men, you'd think they'd be more likely intervene. But a young woman with no fighting ability who tried to help would probably end up beat up too. You also don't know whether either of them are carrying a weapon that at some point could come out (when you intervene).

[StayLucky]

Funny you bring this up. One time when I was downtown, I believe it was on Smithfield, I heard a teenage girl threaten to beat the (expletive) out of another teenage girl, and beat the (expletive) out of her daughter, who couldn't have been older than 4 or 5 years old. My friend and I were passing by the group as it happened, and when we turned around and looked at them out of surprise, they were staring us down, so we kept walking. I don't think the situation escalated to violence, but it does bring up questions about the bystander effect. I'd like to think I'd be able to bring myself to intervene, but I think I'd have to be with others who were willing to intervene. It's sad and kind of scary but it just seems to be human nature to not want to confront someone when you don't have any stake in it.

So, yes, it could happen in Pittsburgh, just as it could happen anywhere else. Humans are funny creatures.

[WereWolfDad]

It could happen less. I feel like these events occur more in places like NJ and NY due to strong gun control laws that prevent citizens from carrying firearms. Someone is much more likely to get shot if they tried something like this in a shall-issue state like PA.