When you see, know of or hear of other people committing a crime, do you feel duty bound to report it and if so do you? Or do you decide for yourself what is 'worth' reporting or not (and therefore what you consider to be a crime). Like if you know someone who is forever going to the pub drinking 4 pints and then driving home, do you report them or do you think that it is the Police's responsibility to 'catch' him in the act. How serious does a crime have to be? Speeding, assault, murder? Before you feel like you should intervene. Which crimes do or would you turn a blind eye to? Does it make a difference if you know them or not? Like would you feel more comfortable reporting a stranger, more so than say your parent, best friend or boss?
2007-05-17 05:03:04 · 17 answers · asked by SMGFAN 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
If someone is getting hurt yes. A few months ago I saw a homeless guy get a beating when I was on a bus. I tried to report it by dialling 999, but only got through to an answer machine! The police eventually called me back 2 hours later to find out what was wrong!!! Sometimes, no matter how well intentioned you are, it doesnt matter.
2007-05-17 05:14:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I feel that the crime is something which affects society as a whole, then I feel that I am under a duty to report it. One such example was a man streaking through the street, stripping off his clothes as he went and hitting a number of women in the process. It would be irresponsible not to have had this dealt with. I would also report cases of child cruelty if I was sure of the facts and if I could be sure that it would not have the result of making things worse for the child concerned. If, on the other hand, it is something minor or trivial, then I wouldn't feel under any obligation to do anything about it. I have in the past been aware of illegal immigrants being employed and kept my mouth shut because when it comes to it I feel that loyalty to friends can sometimes be more important than civic duty. In fact, it would have to be something very serious indeed for me to report a crime committed by a friend or relative. I always feel a great sympathy with people who get into trouble for harbouring a fugitive who is a member of the family.
2007-05-17 10:00:03 · answer #2 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally would always do something about it, it's my job to do so! Lol
Seriously though, everything is worth reporting. In an ideal world, every crime would be solved but as we know this isn't an ideal world. If it's never reported, the Police wouldn't necessarily know about it and then would never have the chance to solve it.
As for the drink driver thing, again the Police probably don't know about it, if they did, they'd have stopped said driver by now. Trust me, it's easy enough to do if you catch them at it.
Everything is worth reporting and you shouldn't turn a blind eye to crime. If you were the victim, would you want someone to look the other way or help you by reporting it or intervening?
2007-05-17 12:00:29 · answer #3 · answered by Ian UK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care about minor infractions such as disorderly conduct or minor traffic violations unless they are endangering others or harming the quality of life on a regular basis. If someone has a loud party after the allowable time once in a while that is fine. But if they do it constantly or on a school night they will be reported.
As far as people I know, I would be more lenient because I have access to them and their families and can perhaps, influence them without involving law enforcement.
Any misdemeanor or felony, I would definitely report!
2007-05-17 05:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess we all make some kind of cost-benefit analysis as to whether or not to report something. Because of my background, it's probably more so, rather than less, but things I do encounter and more often than not do do something about are:
Violent crime - weapons and non-weapons related
Dangerous driving
Criminal damage
Theft
Obviously, any form of sexual offence would be as well, but thankfully it's not something I've ever encountered.
To the person who said they wouldn't do anything about shoplifting because it doesn't hurt anyone - how do you figure that?
Firstly, it cost somebody something to buy it
Secondly, it costs to insure - both the insurer and ultimately you and me, because premiums rise and the cost gets passed on to the purchaser.
It's up to you in the UK whether or not you report crime, as there is no duty to act here. However, up to a point we get the society we deserve and if you turn a blind eye you are inadvertantly contributing to its decline.
2007-05-17 12:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by . 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trust me i wouldnt turn a blind eye to anything major...even something minor...well speeding you really cant do anything unless you get the licence plates. for drunk drivers, i think if they're at a bar or something and the bartender knows the guy has been drinking alot then he has a duty to let the guy know not to drive.
i think people now a days have lost their common courtesy... you cant just say hey guy you drank too much, take a cab...or if you see something that isnt right you report it...
everyone always has to stop and think about it...theres really nothing to think about...a crime is a crime...small ones like someone smoking a joint or someone fighting dont really hurt the majority...but more serious crimes do...everyone should feel the duty bound to report a crime...even if you know the person...who knows, you could be saving their lives.
if you let someone know then its good...if you let them know and they dont care then you can say hey at least i put them on notice to something going on...and then you tell someone else.
2007-05-17 05:30:03 · answer #6 · answered by J.Flyswatter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I personally think that people should. I reported an incident to the police where I witnessed a man masturbating in public. The police took it very seriously and with the use of CCTV they managed to track him down and promptly arrest him. They took a full statement from me and kept me informed every step of the way. I felt better reporting it as this man could have easily been a paedophile or a rapist on the prowl!
2007-05-17 05:25:58 · answer #7 · answered by flipflop_76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Always report a crime no matter how severe because in the end you could save lives.
2007-05-17 05:08:16 · answer #8 · answered by Greek God 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a black man no! The police target ALL black people whether they've done anythng or not. If you've been a victim of this you wouldn't report anything. If you did witness something they might then try to find you guilty of something that they could 'make up'. I bet there aren't too many police who could dispute that, or am I LYING!
2007-05-20 12:39:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a life in danger...First, I'll try to stop it myself. If I can't do anything, then I would report it.
If no life is in danger, like shoplifting, I'll tell a security guard, if I pass one, but, I won't really go out of my way to do anything.
It doesn't matter who it is, family or not. They have NO right to put someone else in danger.
2007-05-17 05:08:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋