When "Being a Good Witness", BE CAREFUL!

[Kleanbore]

A well-liked and well-respected citizen in our area was killed when attempting to record a crime in process with his cell-phone. The perps saw him and deliberately ran over him with a stolen truck.

The lesson should be obvious. Exercise stealth and caution when witnessing a crime. Standing out in the open and obviously taking video of someone acting suspiciously somewhere could be a good way to get shot.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local...cle_3abae17c-076e-5168-8f85-e6d0f03ab980.html​

 

[JeffG]

Good points! For the most part if I was in the vicinity of a crime in progress, the last thing I would do is retrieve my phone or other recording device and use it. I have a well worn path to my reptilian brain mode, and it doesn't include the use of non essential function.

 

[GBExpat]

A well-liked and well-respected citizen in our area was killed when attempting to record a crime in process with his cell-phone. The perps saw him and deliberately ran over him with a stolen truck.

The lesson should be obvious. Exercise stealth and caution when witnessing a crime. Standing out in the open and obviously taking video of someone acting suspiciously somewhere could be a good way to get shot.

I wonder how many of us read this and immediately thought something like, "Well, DUH!"

I suppose that it can be easy for some folks to get caught-up in the moment and not sufficiently engage their brains while responding to excitement.

As JeffG mentioned out, having a healthy relationship with your amygdala can sometimes be a good thing.

 

[Jeff White]

I have avoided filming things I have witnessed for the very reason Kleanbore mentioned. The possible reaction of the bad actors to being filmed and being drawn into the conflict.

 

[milemaker13]

But if he didn't record it how would he be able to post it on facebook???

The whole disconnected behind a camera thing... like videos of people filming a car wreck only to be hit by a careening vehicle, tire, hood, etc...

 

[WestKentucky]

See but don’t be seen. If your seen, make sure it looks like you didn’t see anything. Waving around a phone is begging for the bad juju to find you.

 

[milemaker13]

Cleaning lady at work took pics of some 3rd shifters doing things that 3rd shifters do.. she didn't last long after that.

 

[lemaymiami]

My favorite "I was there" moment has to be the photographer that carefully recorded the approach of a mother grizz and two cubs... The photos were later retrieved from his camera - next to his remains... and each photo showed the bears getting closer and closer.

Seriously, how folks act under stress is tough to figure some days. I was a cop for 22 years and usually noted that the reactions of witnesses and/or victims to possible violence were very tough to predict and the outcome on the street was so random that it would give you nightmares if you let it...

I think a good witness is one that survives whatever occurs then tells authorities as much as they can remember - as soon as possible to give responding officers at least a small chance of a catch... Glad I'm long out of that line of work, since the "good guys" don't always have good outcomes (understatement).

 

[Riomouse911]

Proof again that people are people, and none of us is 100% on our game 100% of the time.

 

[FL-NC]

The fastest way to become part of a conflict is to directly involve yourself in it.

 

[Venom007]

The whole "stand back and be an expert witness" never sat well with me. If in danger I'd rather leave quickly if I can avoid shooting. Let the cameras be an expert witness, they're everywhere and don't have families that care about them.

 

[red rick]

About 15 years ago , on my way home from work on a Friday night about 11:20 PM , I saw a young teenaged boy laying on the side of the road under his bicycle , just past the entrance to my neighborhood . I stopped to help him and make sure no one hit him . Back then I didn't have a cell phone and kind of wish that I didn't have one now . I flagged down the first car that came by a few minutes latter and they called 911 . The ambulance got there before the police officer . I waited for the police officer and told him what I saw and gave him all of my contact information . He showed up at my house about 45 minutes latter and questioned me and tried to get me to change what I had told him and put words in my mouth . Lucky my truck was new and I had not used it for hunting yet and it looked brand new without any scratches on it . I thought that I was going to be arrested or charged that night . I am not that kind of person , but it made me think should I have just kept going and not get involved , that could have cost me a lot of money and I could of went to jail and lost every thing that I worked for , because I helped ..

 

[Hasaf]

I run a dash cam in my car whenever the car is running. It is just wired in. I sometimes run a helmet cam when I am out riding.

image from here

The dash cam is smaller than it looks in this picture. In some ways, I am a bit surprised that so few people run dash cams.