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matriculated wrote:Now, let me throw a bit of a wrench of my own. What would you do if the man attempted to violently stuff the girl in the back of his car as she was still screaming "You're not my dad, someone help me?" Is this the time to step in and take physical action? Those who preach caution, as I do, what say you?

Nope, still not. You do not know if the girl maybe has emotional and/or mental issues. Just because she is screaming and yelling doesn't mean she is really being kidnapped. She may just be a total brat throwing a temper tantrum.

Get a really good description, license number, call 911, and if you can do so safely, follow them and keep the 911 center on the phone to try and get law enforcement to stop them and sort it out.

mamabearCali wrote:How would you "know" someone was being kidnapped. Well a screaming child being torn out of an apparent mothers arms with the mother screaming for help that would be a situation I could see myself actively intervening in...hopefully not drawing but certainly calling the cops as I advance and tell the person grabbing the child to stop immediately. A person attacking a child (not disciplining) but attacking a child that is screaming for help ( really screaming...not the half hearted help the little girl gave). Surely you can think of sure signs that would indicate something is amiss and needs immediate intervention.


I am not saying we should play cop, but simply that we should be our brothers keeper. If someone especially a child appears in extreme distress we (simply as human beings) should try to help.

A screaming child that is being torn out of the mothers arms could be being saved by a father who is taking her from a deranged mother that is mentally unstable. Drawing on the father would now have you being in the wrong.

Someone attacking a child is not a possible kidnapping, that is assault and totally different situation and could possibly justify drawing depending on the situation

Bottom line, these are situations that you will not know how to handle until the EXACT situation is presented. There will be multiple other factors that have to be considered. Hypothetical are just that and will never play out in real life like you think they would.

So, be a good witness, try to intervene only to the point to stop the situation long enough to let law enforcement sort it out, and don't put yourself in a sticky situation of unjustified assault with deadly weapon by drawing unless you have NO other options to save a life.

mamabearCali wrote:This particular scene might not have called for such drastic action (shooting someone), because the situation was slightly ambiguous (it could have easily been a step father and the girl only appeared angry not terrified). I still say it was a stupid stunt. Someone could have easily gotten hurt.

But if you Knewa child was being kidnapped before your eyes are you telling me that it is the best action to take pictures and call the cops and not at least try to stop it? I have to look myself in the mirror each morning, if I Knewa child was being kidnapped, did nothing (or took a pic of the liscience plate), then she was found dead in a field the next day I would have a hard time living with that.

The issue is you don't know in this situation. ABC's 20/20 'What Would You Do' show is like this and some of the things I have seen them do is pretty out there. However, they have a 'bystander' close that will quickly intervene if they think someone will get violent with the actors. Still a stupid thing, but hey, it's reality TV.

As for the other scenario of knowing a child is being kidnapped, sure I am going to intervene, but ONLY if I am 110% sure I know what I am getting into and I can ensure the relative safety of the child and myself.

This is an exact scenario we use in our CHL class. You really don't know what you are seeing. You're right to stay and observe, take down pertinent info and call 911 to investigate. For all you know this could be a brat with their step-father who is just mad because they aren't getting their way on something. Getting directly involved may not be prudent unless you can ensure your safety, the safety of the girl, and even the alleged kidnapper. Then it should only be done to try and let the person know they have been seen and can be easily identified. If they are really trying to do something heinous they will high-tail it away faster than Speedy Gonzalez leaving the child behind.