On April 18, 2010 Hugo Alfredo Yale-Tax a 31 year old Guatemalan was repeatedly stabbed and left to die after intervening in a attempted mugging on a woman in Queens New York.
For about an hour and half Mr. Yale-Tax lay on the sidewalk bleeding out as approximately 25 people walked by and did nothing. One passerby stopped to take a cell phone picture, another rolled him over and saw the stab wounds.
Yes no one did a damn thing to help this "good Samaritan" less the two 911 calls that were placed both with incorrect addresses. A third 911 call gave the correct address but by that time it was too late.
This goes back to the very basics of street crime, observe and report do not intervene. This is a sad case that could have easily been avoided and one hopes this will be a reminder to the patrolling RLSH that next time it could be you.
Poop Knife,
ReplyDeleteGood article - and an undeniable point. Who can say though, when the crime was going down, who would have done what - the instict to help being as compelling as it can be. As unfortunate as this was, had one of the Real Life Superheroes been there, and had they not tried to fight the (murderer now), they could have called 911 and stayed w/the victim and saved a life. They could do that. This is such a tragedy, and all too familiar in large cities.
One would like to hear from heroes on this one. What would a hero have done had they come upon this crime - either as it was happening, or the aftermath? This goes back to "What should a Citizen do?" - probably as Poop Knife stated - Observe and Report. Heroes patrol though - so they would have a better chance to come upon something like this.
As a Villain? One expects shouting to get help, and running away if the knife wielder came after me. It's not brave, and probably not smart.
-Keep up the Evil work,
-Lord Malignance
This is why only the trained and properly armored should be on the street. Had this guy taken a stab at me, he would have had about 2 whole seconds to think before his life took a sharp turn for the worse.
ReplyDeleteThis why we're out there, guys. But it's cool, keep on calling us dangerous vigilantes. If the country were filled with more vigilant, more inventive people, which could accomplished with the right movement, this guy would still be alive, and people would be even more inspired. Common sense.
I have to agree completely with Z, the issue is really that people are too afraid, they are untrained and they are unaware of how to handle issues like this. I personally do not believe that these people are vigilantes (for the most part), but I also do not feel safer just because most of them claim to be on the street. If you don't know how to act you could end up just like this poor fellow.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. This was the conversation one wanted to see. This is the flip side to the argument against crazy vigilantes in their homemade armored suits.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know how the victim approached the perp - he might have been a Kung Fu instructor for all we know. One expects he had a genuine desire to help, and at least a little confidence in his abilities.
These crimes will happen, and with increasing frequency. What IS the best response a non armored citizen can effect. 1) Call 911. 2) ?
Thank you all again,
-Lord Malignance
I'm not saying he deserved the treatment he got, but if he was laying bloody in the street and wearing anything less than D&B the chances of me doing anything for a stranger like him (exceptions on absolutely glorious ones) are next to none.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's Queens. Stepping over people on the sidewalk is a traditional past-time there.
-L.L. <3
The RLSV are nothing compared to the damage that apathy is causing. I'm still doing battle with it. The incidents where I look back and say to myself "I could have been helpful there" are fewer compared to the ones where I actually do something, but they still happen.
ReplyDeleteLast week I saw a Coca-Cola vendor parked by the side of a building during rush hour when the parking lane was open to traffic. He was almost hit twice and he struggled to get the load out of the side of his truck facing the street. He didn't appear to have any other option. I passed him very carefully, then thought "I'm not in a hurry, I should have parked in the lane and kept my hazards on until he was done." Apathy won that battle. For all I know the vendor could have been hit by a car after I left. I want to stop next time.
When apathy is defeated, we can worry what RLSV think.
Victim
Well Lavender, I must disagree with your standing, to view things in that manner just reiterates the point that seeing the people as part of the scenery is the problem. People do not take the time to displace themselves into the situation. If you were the one laying bleeding on a sidewalk, would you not be outraged and disgusted at the fact that everyone simply passed over you staring, that next to no one even took an interest in you? That is an issue that no amount of RLSH no matter what they think are going to change. You cannot change people, they have to be willing to change themselves first. Sadly even after these events, people will claim they would stop, but then what happens when the next person is stabbed or shot for helping?
ReplyDeleteAgain they will make claims of wanting to help, but when it comes down to it, still most will not.
A citizen's first responsibility should be to make sure the victim survives! If someone gets stabbed, call 911 (or make someone specific do it - this reduces Bystander Affect) and immediately attend to the fallen victim as soon as it is safe to do so. Confronting the attacker first could result in two victims.. and nobody to tend to either of them.
ReplyDeletePriorities should always be.. preserve an endangered life first.. protect property after.. then capture criminal (if reasonable to do so). Thorough research into local Samaritan Laws make this clear.. as will a Prosecutor if the case ever goes before a judge.
Concerned citizens should always stop to help one another, but do so safely. The greatest crime fighting weapon ever is the brain.
My prayers go out to Hugo's family and loved ones during this time of loss and tragedy.