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In most cases, people have watched crimes happen without reporting them because of the complexities involved in reporting crimes, as some do not want to be involved in investigations; others are ignorant or frightened to the point that they cannot even report what happens. However, individuals are legally required to report a crime as it happens. In this research argument, the ‘1964 Kitty Genovese Case’ could be used to support why witnesses do not report crimes as they happen (Behrens & Rosen 433-500).
In this case, Kitty also known as Catherine was the eldest child in a middle-class Italian-American family living in New York City. It can be seen from the case that, she decided to be left in the city when her parents migrated to Connecticut after a murder had occurred within the city. It is well indicated that Kitty had parked her car after returning from work at around 3.15 a.m.; when a man in black drew near her from the midst of darkness. After this, she was outdone by the man in a chase and was knifed many times despite the fact that she struggled to yell for help. From the case, it can be seen that no one came to rescue her except a man who yelled from inside his house to the murderer; telling him to ‘leave her alone. In this case, observers saw the attacker enter his car only to come back again to complete his mission; but did not dare help or report the case to the police. It can be seen from the case that, the attacker found Kitty when he came back for the second time bleeding and weak; when he raped and robbed her of some $49. The witnesses said that the police arrived after being called by Karl Ross some minutes after the murderer had run away. This episode lasted for about half an hour, without anything being done to stop it or even report it to the police (Rosenthal 10-79).
Based on this case, it can be argued that thirty-eight people witnessed the murder but did not report it because of varied reasons and excuses. In this case, it can be deduced that many crimes happen unreported because of the onlookers’ assumptions; where they think the noises heard may be as a result of drunkards or between quarreling lovers. This has been brought about by the frequent noises and shouts; which are usually found in most city streets. Based on these assumptions, many attacks are not reported as it can be seen from Kitty’s case; where some onlookers thought her screaming was a result of a lover’s quarrel. From the case, a witness said, “We thought it was a lover’s quarrel” which made them ignore it (Rosenthal 1079).
On the other hand, crimes are not reported as a result of fearfulness among the onlookers; after they get frightened to the extent that they can not make a call to the police. In this case, one gets frightened and starts shivering, fearing to be heard or seen, and gets attacked too. From the case, some witnesses were much afraid hence could not find the courage to call the police; an onlooker said that “Frankly, we were afraid”. “I tried but I was gasping for air and was unable to talk over the phone”; another onlooker said. Further, some witnesses fear being involved in the investigations carried out by the police after an attack. Based on this, people fear to be identified as the first to report a crime; as can be seen from Kitty’s case. In Kitty’s case, a witness told the press that he had attempted to call the police but her wife stopped him saying, “I didn’t want my husband to get involved”. In this case, it can be argued that onlookers do not report a crime happening since they do not want to waste their time going to the court to be witnesses or suffer legal consequences (Rosenthal 10-79).
Additionally, it can be argued that crimes are not reported as they happen because of the ignorance of the onlookers. In this case, some witnesses do not know what to do and others assume that they are not supposed to report, thinking that many others have done it or will do it. From Kitty’s case, a witness stated that she could not allow her husband to report the case, since she assumed that many others had done it. Based on this, she said that; “I didn’t let him”, saying that “there must have been thirty calls already made”. Further, others are ignorant of what is happening and do not bother concentrating on matters which are not theirs. From Kitty’s case, there was a witness who was ignorant enough to say, “I was tired” hence could not report the crime (Rosenthal 10-79).
In this case, the onlookers took no action to help Kitty or even report the crime which came to be known as ‘Genovese Syndrome’ or ‘bystander effect’. It can be seen from the case that the attack took place at night when residents were asleep; hence had no vivid outlook of the whole episode. Based on this, this crime was not reported since as it had been said earlier; people thought that it was an argument among two lovers. It is clear from the case that, police were called but didn’t respond urgently as they were not informed that she had been badly knifed. In this case, crimes usually go unreported because of this bystander effect; where witnesses just look at a crime happening but are not in a position to report it (Rosenthal10-79).
On the other hand, it is not legal to witness a crime happen and fail to report or help the victim fearing being sued. In most cases when one is attacked, people fail to help the victim for the fear of being sued to depict the bystander effect. According to the ‘Good Samaritan Law’, someone who willingly saves an injured party from suffering is protected from being effectively prosecuted for wrongdoing. Based on this, the aim of this law in Kitty’s case could be to prevent people who did not want to be involved in the case from legal consequences; in case the victim died in their hands, or if they were identified as the reporters of this crime in the event they helped her or called the police (Behrens & Rosen 488-600).
It should be noted that onlookers rather than witnessing a crime and failing to report it for the fear of being involved, should on the other hand hide their identities when calling. By doing this, they could save the victim through police intervention where; through the ‘Good Samaritan Law’ doctrines, the reporters should be protected from being sued. Additionally, in Kitty’s case, the victim could have not died if it was reported earlier enough (Ragle 102-123).
In conclusion, even though onlookers fear to be involved or are afraid to the extent of not being able to report a crime, they should report saving the life of the victim. In this case, it can be seen from Kitty’s case that she would have not died; in case the police had been called in time or if the witnesses volunteered to rescue her. Based on this, the witnesses should know that there is the ‘Good Samaritan Law’ to protect them from legal consequences when they involve themselves in helping a crime victim.
Works cited
Behrens, Laurence & Rosen, Leonard. “Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum”. New York: Longman Publishing Group. (2007): P. 488-600
Behrens, Laurence & Rosen, Leonard. “Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum”. California: Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company. (1996): 433-500
Ragle, Larry. “Crime Scene: From Fingerprints to DNA Testing”. New York: Avon. (1995): P. 102-123
Rosenthal, A. M. “Thirty-Eight Witnesses: The Kitty Genovese Case”, First Edition. California: University of California Press. (1999): P. 10-79
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