Woman freezes to death as neighbours ignore screams

[karatekid224]

Would you not open your doors if a person needs help?. Or call 911?

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/01/17/woman-freezes-to-death-as-neighbours-ignore-screams/

A 66-year-old Toronto woman with dementia froze to death within a block of her house Monday morning. Neighbours heard screams, and, according to police, one looked outside and noticed someone stumbling, but none tried to help or call 911.

The woman, whose name has not been released, was wearing winter clothes but had removed her jacket and glasses. Her body was discovered by a woman delivering newspapers at about 5:30 a.m. “It’s a circumstance where we should have been notified to attend. That’s what we do,” said Sergeant David Dubé. ”Could it have saved a life? I don’t know. I would think so.”

The woman, whose name has not been released, was last seen by her husband shortly before 2 a.m. He called police at 4:45 a.m. when he awoke and found she was missing.

 

[turtleturtle]

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/922915--woman-s-cries-ignored-as-she-freezes-to-death?bn=1

 

[confusedcannary]

Wow.

I wonder how much guilt those who heard the screams are feeling this morning over their decision to just not get involved.....You dont have to go intervene..but dammit pick up a phone and dial 911

 

[kralwons]

Poor woman, it's a terrible way to go.

 

[Smark]

I just don't understand why someone would not try to help.

Unbelievable really.

 

[Donald F]

Karma will get them...

 

[nadia ? ...xx]

Freezing to death is not a terrible way to go. You fall asleep and die.

How ever the time that lead up to it must have been awful.

The people in the house should be charged with contributory negligence.

 

[Godsend]

Always does.

 

[loveslolafoevergirl]

I cannot believe not one call was made. You guys reckon people are scared to open their doors to a stranger?.

 

[Wiz]

That was a thought when I first read the article... what with the home invasions you read about and all... but that would be further reason to pick up the phone.

 

[Lucy H]

I would help the woman if I were faced with the same situation, but I have an alpha male type personality whereas most people I have met in life follow others. I also enjoy spending time around seniors because I find they are nicer to be around than my generation.

In general though, I don't bother calling police anymore because in my own experience, the police are not interested in helping anyone who is not under 18 or arresting anyone not involved in a domestic dispute or the narcotics trade.

The police are like salespeople and are motivated and judged by targets set by their superiors. They are more interested in writing a traffic infraction than helping someone retain or protect their property. There are certain crimes that peak their interest and certain crimes that they choose to ignore.

When I ran my business, I would regularly have people steal, threaten me with bodily harm, try to break into my premises etc., and the police refused on most occassions to even come and write a report. I once had a police officer drive by my store multiple times when my alarm was set off by someone entering my store. I called the police and asked why no one had responded and the dispatcher told me that all units were on other calls and couldn't respond. When I told her that I was witnessing a police car that was on regular patrol and actually driving by my location, she said she would see if she could send that unit to respond. Of course, not to my suprise, no one came and the only response I did get was when I wrote a complaint letter to headquarters.

The police no longer represent protecting citizens from crime and criminals. They have become a political vehicle for organizations that want to push public policy on citizens. The best bet is to stay away from them and only deal with them when you absolutely have to. It's the same as dealing with the courts - don't do it unless you have no other option.

 

[Kim N]

You saying the police would not have come if you tell them a woman is dying outside?.

 

[Shania]

Just an awful story-- Leave it to the atheist to mention 'Do unto others'. Remind me not to pass out in a snowbank in Scarberia.

Many years ago in TO, I walked by a concealed cruiser, then about a cigarette later I pretty much tripped over a homeless guy (I'd assume) on the street. Not hunkered down in a doorstop, but just there with nothing. I doubled back and got the cruiser, made sure they got there, then buggered off down a side street as I was drunk and and generally not keen on police interaction. Even if the cruiser wasn't there, I'd like to think I'd be good enough to dial 911 from a payphone if need be. Sheesh.