CNN judgemental headline - "rape victim left outside as ... homeowners called 911"

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/11/justice/florida-rape-case/index.html?hpt=hp_t3


Nearly naked rape victim left outside as frightened homeowners called 911

(CNN) -- A Florida couple declined to answer the door just before midnight when a nearly naked woman knocked and screamed she had just been raped.
Rather, the homeowners called 911 Monday night

The couple inside the home refused to let the woman in because they said they were afraid to open their door. In the 911 call, the woman can be heard pleading in the background. The distressed couple begged police to hurry. Their home is in an isolated area, and the couple feared for their safety if they opened the door.
It took about 11 minutes for police to arrive.

A subsequent investigation led to an arrest of a suspect and prompted the spokesman of the DeLand Police Department to remark that "unfortunately fear dictates the response anymore not knowing if (you're) being set up for other criminal activity."

Police spokesman Lt. Jack Wales added that if citizens are uncomfortable opening the door to someone seeking help, "tell the person to calm down, you are calling 911 now," Wales said in a statement

"If there are two of you, one continues to talk to the victim reassuring them help is on the way while the other person stays on the line with the authorities," Wales said.
"You control how you respond. For example, tell the person to back away from the door to a place (you're) comfortable with so you can throw out a blanket or something then go back inside. Always beware of your surroundings around the entry way such as high bushes someone else could be hiding behind.

[Just Saying]

1. How terribly sad for this victim.

I guess she's lucky they didn't decide to stand their ground though.

I can understand being afraid but what about human decency? Compassion?

[Mojorabbit]

2. We have a rash of people preying on the elderly here

and unfortunately one of the scams is to pretend injury. It sucks how society is anymore.

[BlueJazz]

3. What he said.

[Art_from_Ark]

4. People who do scams like that

are lower than whale shit.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. in sf, scammer trick chinese elderly into putting money and valuables into bag to pray over

They switch the bag

[Art_from_Ark]

6. I hate scammers

[HappyMe]

10. This is true.

People pretending to be hurt, from the gas or electric companies, cable or satelite company....

It's a damn shame.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

7. It is a sad thing.

If a person comes up for help, are they really looking for help or have other things in mind?

Same thing with seeing a car on the side of the road. Same goes if you see a person laying on the ground.

It is getting way dangerous out there.

[SheilaT]

8. Kitty Genovese.

Need I say more?

[JI7]

19. homeowners called the cops in this case

[kiva]

20. Not the same,

these people called the police and it is nothing like the crowd who watched Genovese being killed...you might want to look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kitty_Genovese to see what happened.

[cbdo2007]

9. Yikes - what would you do??

I would probably do the same thing, but of course it would just depend on the situation. Liek the poster above said, I wouldn't see a problem with throwing a blanket out to her at least.

[Ilsa]

11. A towel, a blanket, a sheet,

anything to help her feel better.

I can understand if they didn't want to let her in if they are older and afraid. I'm just glad they called police for her.

[lynne]

16. While I agree with you in theory, giving her any of those items -

- would require that the homeowner open the door. Opening the door would be the way that an accomplice gains entry were this a set-up for a home invasion.

It's terribly sad that it's come to this.

[1-Old-Man]

12. What is judgmental in that headline? It looks like a statement of fact to me.

[Generic Other]

13. We have a Good Samaritan law in Washington state

You have to render aid. Due to some kid being hit by a car and being left by the side of the road to die while people drove past.

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. that's horrible

[Generic Other]

15. Actually I am wrong about the case...it was much worse

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010211&slug=goodsam11m

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. that is awful

[curlyred]

18. But they did respond

They called 911. It's a sad state of affairs, but I totally understand not opening the door. It's not as if they ignored her.

[Generic Other]

22. I think they did what seemed safest

I am not going to judge them for that.

[kiva]

21. There is a very real danger to helping,

I remember Jeannie VanVelkinburgh and Jaquie Creazzo in Denver http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20046469.

I'd like to think that I would be brave enough to help regardless of danger, but I won't judge people who do their best to help but are afraid to risk their own lives.