How Involved Are You In Your Community?
ByHave you ever heard the name Kitty Genovese? Many years ago, she was driving home from work at 3:20 a.m. in the neighborhood of Queens, New York. She parked her car and then walked toward her apartment. In the darkness Miss Genovese noticed a stranger. She sensed something and began walking quickly toward a police call box to summon help. She got as far as a street lamp when a man grabbed her.
Her screams cut through the night. She cried, “Oh my God, he stabbed me. Please help me! Please help me!” Lights went on. Someone called down, “Let that girl alone.” It was just the beginning of Miss Genovese’s horrible death.
According to the police report, the killer left when the lights went on, however, he returned when they went out and stabbed her again. Again she screamed. Again lights went on. The killer fled yet returned a third time to inflict the fatal wounds as Miss Genovese lay slumped at the door of an apartment building where she crawled for safety.
Listen carefully to the point of this story. During the 35 minute ordeal, 38 people watched or heard all or part of the attack. One couple later said they turned their lights out and moved closer to get a better view. At 3:50 a.m., a man called the police and said, “I did not want to get involved!”
I have told that story many times during my speaking career . I have a vivid memory of that event of the late 1960′s. What is the reason I am sharing the story with you?
Psychologists and psychiatrists have wondered, “How come Americans remember that tragedy so well?” The public was shocked at both the seriousness of the act and the apathy of the bystanders. The killer was up for parole and was refused. The lack of responsibility for a fellow human being in trouble was alarming. However, the professionals learned that people do not want to get involved.
Some of the statements from the 38 people were:
“Frankly we thought it was a lovers’ quarrel.”
“We were afraid.”
“I was tired.”
Can it happen again? The answer is “yes”, as long as the Self-Esteem of the observers is not intact. We all need to create a safe
environment where people can thrive. This can be accomplished when we each take responsibility for everything we think, say, do, and feel.
Decide now to take action by being involved in your community crime watch program and then, watch what happens!
