What would you do?

Hi Nadine, I would say it happens more in Winnipeg. The fact that they were right out in open speaks to that. You were right in calling the police. More people should, it is a hassle sometimes but we should at least call the police. It may help stop something. I have done so myself too, when I have seen things. It depends on what as well. One time my hubby and I were driving down Balmoral at Portage and a young highly intoxicated woman just fell down in the middle of the road and didn't seem to have the will to get up anymore. It was cold, wet and slushy. My hubby stopped and helped her up to the sidewalk sat her down, and I called 911 to come and check on her. Our society has become one of don't look its not happening to you. We all need to look and care more. I wouldn't approach some people cause you just don't know nowadays but call 911.

I had a hard time getting to your question...I kept going back to "We parked, I locked the doors as is our custom as our 4 year old was waiting in the backseat. Her window was open at the back." I read this at least five times...did I read it correctly? Did you leave your precious 4-year-old in the back seat alone out in public where anyone could smash a window, set fire to the car, push/tow it away, a stray bullet could hit her, a dog could jump up to the window and scare her, (and a hundred other things)? As gm to a soon to be 4 year old (July) I want to ask you, and anyone else who does this, to please rethink doing this sort of thing. I know getting them in and out of the car seat is time consuming and it may seem like a hassle when you just have to run in for somethng - but most things happen quickly when you least expect them. Turns out it wasn't that safe an area if you had to phone in a fight, brawl or whatever it was. My son takes my gd in when he goes in to pay for gas...he says you just can't trust anyone these days. While I am normally an overly trustworthy person, better safe than sorry.

I'm sorry, I just had to say that. In answer to what would I do and did you do right....I probably would have yelled....hey....leave her alone...or someting like that and if he didn't then called the police. Police are not that quick in responding and if he was trying to kill her, she would have been dead by the time she arrived, but maybe letting him know someone was watching might have made him stop. You were definitely right in calling.

Finally, I am I not a pessimist, in fact, I am very optimistic, but I think we need to be aware that some people just have no respect for others and/or their property and act accordingly.

You did the right thing. The way I read your story was that you locked the doors after your husband got out as your 4year old and yourself were in the car. Very wise. My car doors are locked at all times. I had to call 911 when I saw the neighbors car get run into by a stolen vehicle. It took time but the police were so great. Go do something fun with your little family and relax with them.

I always lock the door when I am waiting in the parked car too. I have had strange random people try to get into my car twice! Once was at a red light by Arlington and once when I was in the parking lot at work.

Personally, I probably wouldn't have called the police. If there was a weapon, or serious injury, or someone that wasn't able to defend themselves then I would have..

I have witnessed things like this in the past and done the same thing ..Called the police. You have to think about your safety and your child , so interveining is not n option. I have seen a crowd beating up 1 person in an alley at night...I called the police and gave as much detail as possible. I have also witnessed domestic abuse and called the police....this may have been what you saw. I think letting the police be aware and deal with the problem makes the situation better for all.

I have lived in many big and small communities across Canada and things like this happen everywhere. I tellmy 4 kids to watch their surroundings and be aware of what is and may happen. And always trust your gut as you did.

I have also sadly heard of many good citizens trying to break up a fight to be stabbed, shot or even killed themselves. It is sad that this has happened to people.

I remember a few years back reading about a lady and her child on the bus in a larger Ontario city. A few teens were yelling and swearing and just plain being rude. The article said the bus was packed and everyone was very uncomfortable about these individuals. One man on the bus asked them to "cool it" and they started to push him and call him racist names. The mom stepped in. She was then beaten and pushed off the bus in fron tof her child and no one stood up for her...not even the man who she was standing up for. Eventually the driver became aware of what was happening and called the police. bUt not one person on the bus called. And you know they all had cell phones. The mom was bruised and a bit scared of riding the bus after that. and who know how her child felt? I am not sure how it turned out or if they caught the teens...who were female. But this was a time where the people on the bus would have out numbered the bullies and chose not to. Leaving the one good samaritan to be hurt and scared for life.
If one person had told the driver evn then he could have notified the police and avoided what happened.

You did good in trusting your gut and calling the police

I think you totally did the right thing! I've often thought about what I'd do in similar situations, and the safety of my kids come first. I think it's better to call and report an incident even if nothing comes of it, as you never know when things could turn even more violent.

We had a similar experience about a year ago. We were driving in traffic and saw a woman passed out on the side of the road. We kind of felt we had to stop and help her, even though it was rush hour and we blocked a lane of traffic. Turned out she was epileptic and had a seizure. Good thing we stopped and called an ambulance for her. We didn't know why she was passed out and could have assumed the worst (maybe drunk or high) and not stopped. I think it helped that there were 3 of us so we felt a little safer to stop.
You did the right thing. People need to watch out for others more.

I have no problem in calling the police for things even as simple as teenagers hanging out behind our house drinking, smoking dope and (in one case) two adults having sex in their truck. In our back lane!!! In the middle of the afternoon!!! I use the non-emergency number for these type of calls. We don't need that kind of thing going on in a neighbourhood full of young kids and families

Anyway, I realize that the police are busy and I don't expect to be put on a high priority call but I have been very happy with the response. Even if a car couldn't come by right away, a constable has always called back to get more details or to let me know if any investigation was going on.

I have only called 911 if I have seen a weapon or if their was violence involved - like the time I was driving down Main Street by Higgins and saw a guy swinging a machete at a group of people.

People should be more willing to intervene.

Unfortunately, in today's society, you don't know if it would be safe to do so.

If you are not comfortable intervening yourself ( I have small kids so I now fall into this category), then call the police... That's what they are there for.

Nope not close to a bar... Actually, we back onto a soccer field!!!

Always trust your gut and call 911, even if it takes longer. We really have to help each other out and I'm glad that you did, Nadine. There's actually a social psychology term for this kind of apathetic behavior: it's the "bystander effect". My friend from Calgary who saw an assault in Winnipeg didn't do a thing and just commented to others about Winnipeg being "ghetto" - but get this - he's a psychologist and already knew about that effect!