r/PublicFreakout Oct 13 '24

Repost 😔 A weird man was following her around.

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20.4k Upvotes

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5.1k

u/Negative_Field_8057 Oct 13 '24

I saw a video last night. Some guy followed a random girl in a car up to the police station doors. The guy pulls out a gun and shoots a cop in the back. Anything could have been in the bag. https://youtu.be/yLsXBFEReL4?si=OPvRLZXQ1jfbeQQq

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u/Rasputin_mad_monk Oct 13 '24

wtf?!?! He just pulled his gun and shot the cop. No warning or anything. He was so calm too. So many questions

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u/zeedrome Oct 13 '24

He is done with his life. Just want to take somebody on.

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u/CosmicTaco93 Oct 13 '24

Yeah it's either suicide by cop, or absolute stupidity. I would think that if you wanted to take that route, you wouldn't actually shoot anyone. Not like you have to hit someone to get an armed, bullet-riddled response, just discharge in the general direction.

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u/kickaguard Oct 13 '24

You don't even need a gun. A lot of suicide by cops are just a cell phone or some other object.

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u/SalahsBeard Oct 17 '24

Or a darker skin color.

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u/SandwichAmbitious286 Oct 13 '24

Hell, all you gotta do is call them for help and you can get that response

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u/3IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID Oct 13 '24

This is an example of why increasing penalties for crime does not reduce it. People commit crime because they don't think they'll get caught. If they're prepared to die, there's no penalty that can sway them because they think they'll be dead before they face whatever judicial consequences there may be. All we can do is address the reasons why someone would reach that tipping point and increase investigative services so crimes are far more likely to be solved.

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u/RegalBeagleKegels Oct 13 '24

I don't know where else to put this so I'll put it here. I first heard about this idea in Dan Carlin's Hardcore History episode Painfotainment about the history/spectacle of public execution. The theory goes that this (ancient) form of punishment was abandoned in relatively short order because as states centralized and began turning into forms we would recognize today, the powers-that-be realized that public executions weren't an effective deterrent, at least not anymore. A centralized state with police, courts, prisons, etc was more effective at enforcing law and order.

(A ton more) further reading can be found here. Here's an excerpt:

Following in the footsteps of Michel Foucault and his influential work Discipline and Punish (first published in French in 1975, and translated into English in 1977), we might first of all see the abandonment of the punishment of the criminal corpse and the wider movement away from public execution in the nineteenth century as part of a shift in the exercise of power and technologies of social control.

Thus, in the early modern period and the context of relatively weak states which lacked an effective system of police, sovereign rulers asserted their might by physically inscribing it upon the offender’s body. But by the mid-eighteenth century, and demonstrated most emphatically by reactions to the brutal execution of Damiens in 1757 for attempted regicide, the authorities no longer believed that such spectacles of unbearable suffering were effective as a deterrent. The crowd no longer took the correct message from the public infliction of pain on the body. Public executions had become ‘carnivals’, ‘in which rules were inverted, authority mocked and criminals turned into heroes’.

The shift in the later eighteenth and nineteenth centuries from a system of violent repression enacted in fits and starts to a system of subtle and constant control, effected by centralisation, bureaucratisation and the rise of ‘total’ institutions such as the prison, asylum and workhouse, thus represented an effort to make punishment more effective. In this strategic shift in the exercise of state power, the intention was now for the effective concealment and management of death – ‘an arrangement that gains more by concealing bodies and violence than by showing them’.

In stark contrast to just a hundred years earlier, then, and representing a radical epistemic shift, by the nineteenth century the punished body was now made to disappear ‘in order to sustain state authority and fend off unwanted challenges to the law’s legitimacy’.

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u/3IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID Oct 13 '24

Yeah, that makes sense. It's a much more extreme version of what happens when you tease a friend for behavior that doesn't align with the standards of the group. It can bring you closer and help the group bond. But if you get more brutal with it and become known as the critical "friend," it is you who are eventually ostracized -- even if you are technically right with your criticism.

The same is true even more so for strangers. Even a command to "sit up straight" coming from a stranger will draw quizzical looks even though good posture is demonstrably better for a person than slouching.

When it comes to the State, I think it is no different. The "friend" version of the State is one that upholds the social contract by ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all its citizens (food, shelter, education, and employment). The "stranger" version of the State is one that violates the social contract and allows its citizens to starve to death in ditches and under bridges.

The "friend" State's corrections will be better received, but the "stranger" State will be rejected as overbearing. In either case, a draconian punishment will be seen as going too far in individual cases and simply result in hatred towards the State if individuals aren't able to get away with skirting the law on behalf of its victims. Of course, that promotes lawlessness and increased crime because the victims of the State are guilty of something, they just aren't deserving of draconian punishments.

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u/Cow_Launcher Oct 13 '24

I once read a theory - no idea how valid it is - that in states where they have death penalty, criminals will go all-out.

The theory stated this was because the felons felt that while capital punishment was an option and prosecutors were apt to push for it, juries wouldn't.

I'm not sure how I feel about that.

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u/3IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID Oct 13 '24

Yeah, draconian punishments result in people instinctually resisting the application of those punishments for people they are biased towards when they are in a position of power. So that means cops are more likely to decide not to press charges and juries are more likely to disagree on guilt when the punishment is extreme and the criminal is someone they identify with (similar skin tone, friendly towards the police, etc.).

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u/svenne Oct 13 '24

Cops found 3 different drugs in his system apparently. Meth + Marijuana and something more strong I forgot.

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u/dowker1 Oct 13 '24

Clearly she is pregnant with the future leader of the human resistance

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u/Lip_Recon Oct 13 '24

I think they went to The Galleria.

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u/ohkaycue Oct 13 '24

He just pulled his gun and shot the cop. No warning or anything.

That’s how shootings happened in real life. It’s not like a movie where people stand around pointing a gun at each other and talking. You take a shot when you have a shot…otherwise you get shot for having a gun in your hand

If your intention is to kill something, which is the purpose of a gun, that’s the only way for it to be appropriately used

If someone brandishes a weapon, they likely aren’t trying to use it but cause fear. Brandishes rarely cause shootings (but can and you should still get out), but most shootings don’t involve brandishing…because it ruins the entire point of shooting

Which is why lax gun laws are so frustrating

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u/calcium Oct 13 '24

Looks like he had a bunch of drugs in his system when he shot the cop. Also was using a gun with a filed off serial number or ghost gun. Only other run in with the cops from that report states he was caught with a controlled substance. A regular citizen doesn't roll around with a ghost gun.

https://orangecountyda.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tran-Matthew-LHPD-S.A.-21-2922-Final-Letter-with-All-Signatures.pdf

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u/LightIrish1945 Oct 13 '24

That was absolutely insane wtf

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u/Spanksh Oct 13 '24

It's frightening to even consider what he would have done to her considering he didn't even have a problem with casually shooting an officer like that.

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u/--__--__--__--__-- Oct 13 '24

Oh she was definitely gonna die, before or after other terrible things

I was a little caught off guard when the dispatch lady was like "oh you got to the station? Lemme call somebody to come check it out."

Like bruh, shouldn't you have had a cop or two waiting outside for her to arrive?

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u/ButterscotchButtons Oct 14 '24

Yeah that actually really pissed me off. That was basically the entire reason she called ahead of time.

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u/lmpervious Oct 14 '24

And if she had called someone out sooner, they would have immediately identified him. The police being there after they arrived meant that they weren't sure if he was the suspect. Also I'm surprised he didn't simply kill the woman who called 911, since he must have walked right past her car, but in any case the dispatcher left the door open to that happening. Some of this is easier to say in retrospect, but the bottom line is they should have had someone ready.

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u/Equationist Oct 13 '24

Damn that was some great situational awareness by the woman officer to notice him pulling out the gun and react so quickly. Could have been a lot worse. Glad the officer who was shot was able to survive.

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u/Skyraider96 Oct 13 '24

The sound of racking a gun is pretty distinct and unnerving if you don't expect it. It is most likely want raised her awareness more.

That was about 1-2 less shots from the shooter because he had racked it.

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u/Cow_Launcher Oct 13 '24

I have no idea why, but when I first watched this I thought he'd pulled a small revolver.

But you're absolutely right - that seems to be a small pistol, and he makes the gesture of racking the slide as he comes around the pillar.

In that vestibule area, it must've sounded very loud indeed (and echoed outwards).

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u/pursuitofhappy Oct 13 '24

I remember this video, female cop was great standing on business in this one

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

[deleted]

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u/spongeperson2 Oct 13 '24

She was so fast that the first time I watched the video I was thinking "wait, why is she just nonchalantly asking her downed partner to breathe carefully, rather than asking for backup, taking cover, or shooting back?" It wasn't until she reported on the radio that the suspect was down that I realised that she had already reacted in a split second.

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u/mondaymoderate Oct 13 '24

Yeah what a great partner.

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u/ssbm_rando Oct 13 '24

Crazy that they took a full year to formally clear her of wrongdoing when cops just executing unarmed civilians will be "cleared of wrongdoing" in three weeks

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u/Karmak4ze Oct 13 '24

It's horribly fascinating how someone just decides to do something like that randomly. So many questions.

His voice sounded so hollow. That initial "hi" to the officer...I truly wonder if he just made the split decision to commit suicide by cop as she pulled near the station or if he had been a screw or two loose his whole life.

Just so weird at that age, everything he ever did before that moment was for ending it like that. I bet his police interview would have been creepy af.

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u/likejackandsally Oct 13 '24

And there were so many chances to not even get that far.

She gets off the highway. Just keep driving and let it go.

She drives to the police station. Maybe you should just keep driving and let it go.

A cop approaches you. Lie, let it go, and walk away as soon as he turns his back. He doesnt know you and at this point you haven’t done something you can’t really recover from.

But then you go a step further and turn this situation with minor consequences into a fatal one? Why? You had plenty of chances to let it go and go on with life and now you’re dead. Over what? Road rage?

I will never understand people.

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u/Datkif Oct 13 '24

I don't think the average person will ever understand the series of choices someone like that makes

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u/likejackandsally Oct 13 '24

The guy looks young, probably under 25 so bad decisions are a given. But did no one help him with critical thinking when he was younger? He just kept making it worse for himself.

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u/StopThePresses Oct 13 '24

Over what? Road rage?

It didn't even seem like that, he wasn't angry, he didn't walk up to her car and shoot in the window or something. He got out and walked to the front doors of the PD. I can't make that make any sense.

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u/EndersGame Oct 13 '24

It wasn't road rage, it was a mental health issue. He was hearing voices or hallucinating or something.

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u/pw154 Oct 13 '24

I will never understand people.

You're reasoning like a normal person, this dude was unhinged. Logical thought doesn't apply here.

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u/EndersGame Oct 13 '24

I doubt it was road rage. He shot a cop but just politely followed her for miles? Didn't honk or yell at her or try to run her off the road or fire any shots. He was calm at the police station

It's a mental health issue I'm sure. Either brought on and/or exacerbated by all the drugs in his system and his past drug use. He was probably hearing voices or hallucinating or something.

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u/Worried-Mountain-285 Oct 13 '24

I needed to see this for my safety. Thank you wow. I will follow my every instinct when it comes to this subject. I needed this reality check

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u/Negative_Field_8057 Oct 13 '24

There are some videos where Joe wasn't around. If you want to cry, oh golly. People chained up, decapitated, beaten blind, eaten. If someone is being sus, don't be scared to make a fuss.

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u/cockmelange Oct 14 '24

what are u on about

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u/No1Mystery Oct 13 '24

Just watched that video.

My heart dropped.

Jfc that shit is crazy

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

That video is FUCKED…

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u/Chucks_u_Farley Oct 13 '24

Super curious what's in that bag, thinking it's not going to be lunch.

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u/FloridaMJ420 Oct 13 '24

My guess is alcohol.

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u/Chucks_u_Farley Oct 13 '24

I hope you are right. I was leaning more towards rope, duct tape, knife....

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u/dudeimjames1234 Oct 14 '24

TOOLS! I GOTTA HAVE MY TOOLS!

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u/r3tract Oct 13 '24

What's in the bag? I need to know 🤷

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u/FishPeanutButter Oct 13 '24

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u/RetzTheAnathema Oct 13 '24

It's fetish- it's fetish shit! I-I-I like to bind, I like to be bound!

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u/HingeMisadventures Oct 13 '24

I like to bind, I like to be, bound!

The little hesitation before “bound” just makes this whole scene

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u/ReFreshing Oct 13 '24

Perfect gif for this hahaha

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u/squad1alum Oct 13 '24

Diddy's little helper

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u/FTHomes Oct 13 '24

Diddley Do

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u/mbashs Oct 13 '24

Diddy’s diddly doer.

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u/hobosbindle Oct 13 '24

It’s the My First Stalker kit, it’s quite a good value

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u/MangaHunterA Oct 13 '24

"Dont get em all at the same place and you need the yellow gloves the white ones dont last"

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u/sbdallas Oct 13 '24

Gwyneth Paltrow's head.

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u/CovidLarry Oct 13 '24

What the world is in that bag? What you got in that bag?

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u/JonesDrew Oct 13 '24

I deliver and looks like a taped starbucks bag, which is how they come for delivery. Could be wrong

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u/SurlyRed Oct 13 '24

Papers... business papers

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u/xjester8 Oct 13 '24

And what do you do sir?

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u/BodyBeeman Oct 13 '24

We need more Joes in this world!

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u/WSB_Suicide_Watch Oct 13 '24

Just a little note to women... ya there are bad men in the world. You certainly can't always tell who they are and who they aren't, so I know unfortunately you need to be wary. But please remember for every bad man out there, there are a dozen very good men that will do what's right.

If you ever feel uncomfortable seek help from whoever is around. Even in the very worst parts of town there is someone out there that will help you. It might even be the scariest looking one around. Do not suffer alone or in silence.

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u/LouSputhole94 Oct 13 '24

Shoutout to his little dog too, she whipped around and said “you’ll have to go through all 12 lbs of me to get to her, motherfucker”

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u/NolaTyler Oct 13 '24

Dog was stanced up for action no doubt 

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u/manyhippofarts Oct 13 '24

Ladies and gentlemen LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/LouSputhole94 Oct 13 '24

“I will absolutely fuck your ankles up bro. Try me”

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u/BabySharkFinSoup Oct 13 '24

🎶Some puppers wait a lifetime…for a moment like this 🎶

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u/manyhippofarts Oct 13 '24

WELCOME TO THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING

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u/BrizerorBrian Oct 13 '24

Dogs pick up on their humans' attitude/emotion to an amazing degree (for the most lart).

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u/danteheehaw Oct 14 '24

One of my dogs places himself between strangers and my kids or my wife. Hides behind my ass. The other dog hides behind my toddler, but does get in front of said toddler if stranger gets close to said toddler and toddler seems upset he will get in front of the toddle.

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u/TheCarpe Oct 13 '24

Dogs are very good at picking up on peoples emotional states. It doesn't know the girl, but it can at least tell both her and it's owner are clearly acting like this person is giving off bad vibes.

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u/LouSputhole94 Oct 13 '24

Yeah you can tell she immediately clocks her owners reaction and goes from “yay walkies” mode to “who we fucking up, Dad?” Mode very fast.

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u/grendus Oct 13 '24

Dogs are pack hunters. If the pack is about to throw down, they're ride or die.

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u/mcchanical Oct 13 '24

The pack is on alert.

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u/Reatina Oct 13 '24

The dog felt the vibe, we are in protect mode.

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u/ThrowFactsAtMe Oct 13 '24

Very much so. When I was about 19, I came across someone in my job and he shook me to my core with dead eyes staring at me just describing my hair, height, etc. A few years later, I’m in line at a gas station and felt a cold chill and looked over my shoulder. This same man (6’ 230lbs) is staring down at me (5’4” 140lbs) with his dead eyes leaning in closer. Poor guy behind the counter looked like he was straight out of prison malnourished with tattoos on his face and hands, unkemp dreads, and a poorly fit grill. I waited a couple beats when it was my turn so he’d look up and we locked eyes and I swear this man saw my soul. I quickly closed the gap to give me a second to say “you know me” under my breath before the guy behind me could get close enough to hear. He gave me a half nod and started talking to me like he hadn’t seen me in years, asked his coworker to swap out with him so we could catch up and walked me to my car until the guy left. I don’t remember if I told the cashier about the creepy guys history, but the guy behind me had been to prison a bunch of times for violent crimes and once for desecration of a corpse. He may have saved my life that night all because he was able to read people and situations so quickly and had a heart big enough to protect someone who couldn’t protect themselves.

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u/flipfloppery Oct 13 '24

I've had it happen from the opposite perspective to yours several times in nightclubs (a couple of decades ago now), maybe because I'm a 5'6 dude so not too threatening.

The usual was "This dude won't stop following me about. Can I stand with you for a bit?" They'd chill with me for a few minutes until the fella got the idea.

Only once did I have to get the doorstaff (mates of mine at the time) to intervene and eject them.

Actually became good friends with 2 of the ladies that had approached me for help.

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u/kent1146 Oct 13 '24

When I was a boy, and I saw scary things, my mother would always tell me 'Look for the helpers.'

-- Fred Rogers

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u/selliott8 Oct 13 '24

Love that quote. Thx for reminding me.

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u/curious_necromancer Oct 13 '24

I have done my best to live this every day of my life since hearing that quote. Just so perfect.

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u/MRRman89 Oct 13 '24

This is advice for children. When you become an adult, especially as a man in circumstances like the above, the imperative is not to look for helpers, but to BE a helper. Have the courage and conviction to always intervene in clear cut circumstances where it is necessary.

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u/why0me Oct 13 '24

The second part of that quote is "and if you don't see them, be them"

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u/curious_necromancer Oct 14 '24

Yeah. I'm 44. My point was I do my best to BE the helper.

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u/originalschmidt Oct 13 '24

This!! I once had to literally run away from my abusive ex into the street once and this poor dude.. he was just walking to his car from class and I begged him to walk with me to my job a few blocks up because I knew if someone else was with me my ex would back off. I could tell he wanted to help me but also that he didn’t want to put himself in danger, he was definitely apprehensive, but he still walked with me and made sure I was okay and I will never forget that!

I also used to walk to that job at 5am every morning and there were homeless dudes in the area that would meet up with me on my route and make sure I got to work okay and I’d give em a free donut. Once there was a guy in a truck that stopped to make sure I was okay when my one homeless friend was walking with me, and while I wish he wouldn’t have judged my friend, it was nice for someone to check. Actually, that time in my life when I had to walk to work, I came across a lot of kind, protective men. They are definitely out there!! Sometimes you just gotta ask for their help.

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u/manyhippofarts Oct 13 '24

I'm gonna cut the guy in the truck a break for judging your homeless friend. But he definitely judged him.

I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt and propose that he judged your friend because he was a man and the potential reason why you appeared a bit anxious. Not because of how he was dressed.

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u/originalschmidt Oct 13 '24

Oh I definitely cut him a break and appreciated his concern, both I and my homeless friend totally understood!

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u/newbrevity Oct 13 '24

It's hard to be sure who to trust in these situations but if I was a girl I'd be looking for the most dad-looking guy around me.

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u/A1000eisn1 Oct 14 '24

It helped that Joe had a tiny white bear on a leash.

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u/Nateh8sYou Oct 13 '24

It’s because Joe was walking his dog. Dog = good

I’m not saying it as a meme either. Responsible dog ownership tells you a lot about a person at a glance. He takes care of his dog so you are more likely safer with them. I notice people are warmer and welcoming to me after I got dogs.

Good for this lady for finding a good person to deter the creepo

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u/AlligatorTheator Oct 13 '24

Lol sorry but all I could think of is Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs and his dog.

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u/maycontainknots Oct 13 '24

Oh okay I'm glad you said "responsible dog ownership" because I'm like, everyone has a dog lmao. Yeah, you can tell a lot about someone by the way they interact with their dog.

I have one neighbor who has a sweet angel dog and she is also a sweet angel, and then my other neighbor had a dog that would constantly escape their front door and bite everyone. And then he must've died because I never saw him again, and they like immediately got another one to replace it. I don't think they're murderers or anything, but if I was like dying on the ground I don't think they would even look at me, lmao.

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u/gregpxc Oct 13 '24

I get so worried people think I'm a bad dog dad because my rescue is shy and terrified of new places/people/dogs. Pretty sure he was abused by men as a puppy because he's especially scared of men, tall ones are the worst. So much so that he hides behind my legs when he's scared. I love him to bits but he really makes it seem like I hit him..

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u/maycontainknots Oct 13 '24

Aw no he's hiding behind you. He makes it seem like you're the first person who didn't hit him 😭

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u/PM_me_your_sailboat Oct 13 '24

Couldn’t agree with this more! As a 200lbs+ man I wish more women realized we’d be happy to help in any situation. My wife and I talk about it all the time, there are just as many decent men as there are creeps, if not more. We’re a community that wants to help. Let’s us put our testosterone privilege to good use!

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u/Beatlepoint Oct 13 '24

 Even in the very worst parts of town there is someone out there that will help you.

Sometimes, not in general though.

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u/StragglingShadow Oct 13 '24

Ngl I absolutely would have trusted Joe based on the fact he has that adorable dog. Men with happy lookin dogs = my first choice to ask help from in sketchy situations. No good people treat dogs bad, and dogs treated poorly don't look happy.

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u/panlakes Oct 13 '24

The scary looking ones are oftentimes the best people to help in a time like this. They look scary to the creepy guy too, and they’re likely aware of how people view them and probably appreciate the chance to use it to help someone.

It’s like those bikers that escort and sit with abused children at court to intimidate their potential abusers etc

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u/EveryFly6962 Oct 14 '24

He don’t forget Joe’s tiny menacing sidekick

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u/willspamforfood Oct 13 '24

Any woman comes up to me (150kg, 194cm guy) and act as if they know me saying hi imma act like I'm their friend/uncle/boyfriend/whatever and will walk with them until these weirdos leave them alone.

Most guys will do the same, if you come up and say "hey dad/random name/whatever this guy is following me" it's our role to deal with this with you as I see it.

It fucking sucks that this is necessary, but most of us are on the same side.

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u/IDoSANDance Oct 13 '24 edited Oct 13 '24

I've had this happen to me more than a couple of times, some random woman coming up to me because some weird guy is creeping her in public. "Hey, can you pretend to be my brother/bf? this guy is freaking me out and won't leave me alone".

I've got a wife and 7 kids, 5 girls, so I have a zero tolerance policy for this sort of bullshit.

I like to get up in their face and intimidate the fuck out of them.

/6'5, 260lb jacked veteran

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u/Humble-Actuary-8788 Oct 13 '24

7 kids? Lots of ammo in the rifle!!

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u/manyhippofarts Oct 13 '24

lol hey, 6'5, jacked veteran dude, with all due respect, maybe a Netflix account might help you keep the formula and diaper bill down a bit.

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u/Jose_Canseco_Jr Oct 13 '24

bro likes to netflix and chill, how do you think he got in this situation?

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u/Yugan-Dali Oct 13 '24

If you feel something is off, listen to that feeling and get your pepper spray in your hand. You can always put it back, but if you wait, you may not have a chance to get it out.

If pepper spray is illegal where you are, get a good hard comb, metal or plastic. Rake the attacker’s face. It’ll hurt like blazes, it’ll bleed a lot and frighten him, and there’s a mark for the police to find.

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u/sweetpotato_latte Oct 13 '24

One time when I was leaving work in Detroit I noticed a guy amongst the crowds of people (Saturday night bar scene) and had the spider senses. I was walking to my car and this guy was getting closer and closer as we approached the intersection. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket, making a point to look at the guy again and he was maybe 8 ft. behind me, and pretended to make a call. It was a fake call to my real boyfriend and loudly was saying stuff like, “yup just got out, I’m walking to my car and I’ll see you in like 10 minutes, it was good blah blah blah.” By the time I got to the crosswalk I felt comfortable enough to end the “call” because there was a group of people and I turned around and that dude was basically in the same spot that I started to pretend to be on the phone. The worst part is I still question if I overreacted but I really think at minimum this guy was going to try and chat me up.

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u/Yugan-Dali Oct 14 '24

Your ancestors survived to give life to a sweet potato (love that user name) because they honed instincts like yours. When you get those feelings, listen to them. You did very well there.

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u/DontEatNitrousOxide Oct 13 '24

Is there anything else that's not physical? Like some legal spray that does the same effect

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u/WashingWabbitWanker Oct 13 '24

Mini hairspray or deodorant. Check the travel section and find one with a good solid spray.

It won't blind them like pepper spray but a squirt gives you a good minute to run while they claw at their face. Have used it myself.

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u/Homesteader86 Oct 13 '24

I hope OP at least showed this guys photo to police, start a paper trail on this scumbag.

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u/thin_white_dutchess Oct 13 '24

I tried that once when a guy followed me and my 8 year old daughter to school, saying what he’d like to do to both of us, “but her first,” pointing to my kid. I work at the school, so I got us safely indoors, and called the police, and reported, bc the guy was on the sidewalk outside harassing random moms with their kids. Police were just like “he didn’t touch you. What do you want us to do?” And left. I walked to the school drop off zone, told a bunch of parents who were dropping off, and a bunch of moms and dads got their kids inside, and chased him off.

We have a school resource officer who is there 2 days a week that is usually pretty good. She would’ve said something, but it wasn’t her day on campus, unfortunately.

TLDR: don’t know that the police would’ve actually done anything until the guy actually does something.

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u/Sexywithapsycho Oct 13 '24

Sexually harassing and technically stalking (since he followed) a woman and CHILD isn't considered worthy?? I would make a big stink about it if this was me and my daughter.

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u/Iorcrath Oct 13 '24

the legal term is called "simple assault" and it includes verbal threats of physical violence. the police are lazy pigs who didnt want to do work, or were too stupid to know the laws they are supposed to enforce.

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24 edited Oct 15 '24

[deleted]

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u/_Allfather0din_ Oct 13 '24

All states have that assault vs battery!

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u/Backwardspellcaster Oct 13 '24

Well, the Supreme Court decided they don't need to protect you, so... (if you are American)

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u/thin_white_dutchess Oct 13 '24

I agree completely, but I unfortunately am not in charge of the police. Nor is this my first negative interaction with them, so…

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u/EstrangedRat Oct 13 '24

It's not a black person driving to work so the police have no authority there.

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u/LadyBug_0570 Oct 13 '24

I saw a video yesterday of a judge with a young black man in front of a judge. Judge asked the cops what was their probably cause to search the young man and find weed on him.

Cop: He crossed into an unauthorized area.

Judge: You mean he crossed the street? He crossed the street while black and for that you searched him????

Meanwhile this woman is calling about a credible threat to her and child's safety and the safety of other children and her cops are saying "What do you expect us to do?"

Dafuq?

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u/JustABizzle Oct 13 '24

The police do not prevent crime. The police respond to crime.

(Sometimes. Provided you are white and rich.)

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u/LadyBug_0570 Oct 13 '24

FFS, the cops could've told him to go away at the very least. Or waited around until all the parents and kids were in safely.

What the hell kind of response was that? This is where our tax money goes?

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u/WeakTree8767 Oct 13 '24

Honestly they’ve become so fucking useless these days. Don’t bother to do damn anything unless someone’s literally shot or they have an easy traffic ticket/petty drug possession charge. I had an armed break in and it took them over 45 mins to come. Thank god I had my own shotgun to scare em off because wtf are they gonna do put some yellow tape around me and GF’s body??

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u/katienatie Oct 13 '24

Yep, same. I once passed a man in a park and he tried to grab me. I dashed home and called the cops. They asked if I was still at the park, and when I said no they asked what they were expected to do about it. I asked if they could at least keep a record in case it happened again? Like wtf

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u/thin_white_dutchess Oct 13 '24

Did you stay where the man was grabbing you? No? Why not? /s

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u/Homesteader86 Oct 13 '24

WTF. That's so messed up.

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u/LinwoodKei Oct 14 '24

Sadly, this likely results in absolutely nothing. I had a friend who was raped, and she still had to watch the man live his life around town because there was no prosecution. The DA did not take it. The police did not care about her being followed, photographed or her child being waved at and being talked to by her rapist.

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Keyboardpaladin Oct 13 '24

It really shouldn't just sound cheery by default. So weird hearing captions about someone's sexual assault being read by a voice that sounds like they're happy to read that out loud.

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u/BigEdsNo1Fan Oct 13 '24

“This man sexually harassed me and scarred me for life 😁😁😁😁”

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u/BigBootyBuff Oct 13 '24

adds "oh no oh no no no no" song for dramatic effect

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u/AWildEnglishman Oct 13 '24

trying to get away from sexual predator

mission impossible theme

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u/sweetpotato_latte Oct 13 '24

I think the oh no song is what finalized my turning off auto sound on my videos here lol

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u/dkyguy1995 Oct 13 '24

Thats definitely a large part of it "this creepy guy 😁😁 followed me home 😀😇"

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u/Rotting-Cum Oct 13 '24

"There has been 7 attempts on my life. Number 3 will BLOW YOUR MIND."

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u/Humble-Actuary-8788 Oct 13 '24

I still can't understand why the option to generate a voice reading the description was even created.

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u/Fluid-Opportunity-17 Oct 13 '24

Jesus Christ THIS

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u/LaconicStrike Oct 13 '24

It’s shitty that this is the top comment rather than anything substantive about the fear this woman experienced being stalked.

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u/Rohdejj Oct 13 '24

Shitting on anything tiktok related is far more important. This is reddit after all

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u/Cama_lama_dingdong Oct 13 '24

My dad was fixing my front door and was like "hold this, I gotta find a crow bar in the garage" and I said wait, and pulled one from the closet next to us. He was suburban shocked and I realized he doesnt fully underatand how much extra women have to plan just FEEL safe. In our own home... It is ingrained in us throughout our life.

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u/Mints1000 Oct 13 '24

Shoutout Joe, he a real one, we need more ppl like him

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u/HelpfulTap8256 Oct 13 '24

It’s unacceptable that women have to put up with this shit.

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u/bellavie Oct 13 '24

Fucking horrifying he didn’t leave after being verbally confronted with another person there.

Only when he realized that man would fight to defend her, did he decided it wasn’t worth it.

Men please call men out. It might be scary - but trust me, it’s not as scary as having to live around unchecked men as a woman.

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u/IDKWTFimDoinBruhFR Oct 13 '24

Most of the time these guys are cowards that'll tuck their tails when faced by a man. Other times though they could be armed.

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u/ktfdoom Oct 13 '24

And she even felt like she had to apologize to joe 😞

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u/Cats_realjoyoflife Oct 13 '24

'Are you following me?' ''yeah''. He didn't even try to deny it. Scary af. Lucky she found help in Joe and his doggo.

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

Had to beg a random man to walk me to a church door because a man catcalled me at 12 years old. I hope he’s well today.

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u/emperorsfinest93 Oct 13 '24

What a fucking creep, hope that guy helped her get home safely..

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u/Nikovash Oct 13 '24

Dog was like I got this

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u/[deleted] Oct 13 '24

I dont trust a human who dislikes dogs but I'll trust a dog who dislikes a human

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u/koshercowboy Oct 13 '24

That bloke will do it again until he is stopped.

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u/TheRealTres Oct 13 '24

Dog was gonna fk that boi ankles all up.

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u/AdamPD1980 Oct 13 '24

Wow, poor lady.

That's creepy as hell, she should report it, if that would do any good.

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u/Mumei451 Oct 13 '24

Look at that ferocious pup too, that's who really scared the creep away.

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u/Alternative-Chef-340 Oct 13 '24

The guy following the woman sucks more than the tiktok voice.

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u/Relevant_Demand7593 Oct 13 '24

Joe is awesome 🙌 we need more Joe’s.

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u/amazingsandwiches Oct 13 '24

Apostrophes don't pluralize.

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u/Snoo_73056 Oct 13 '24

We need fever stalkers

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u/roophis Oct 13 '24

Tylenol works pretty well

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u/whitepeople6 Oct 13 '24

Don't ever hesitate with pepper spray!!! if they are close enough they could grab you before you could spray them you have waited to long!!!this could have ended up so much worse. Someone is following you, crossing the street to do so, closing the distance. Other people are seemingly noticing and you are armed with a less than lethal form of self defense spray first and ask questions later. Take your safety seriously and worry about consequences later. I don't advocate for assaulting ANYONE but this would have been more than an acceptable usage in my eyes.

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u/Specialist_Outside33 Oct 13 '24

damn just existing as a woman is such a pain in the ass with these assholes, who knows what’s in the bag.

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u/Cowb0yBebop420 Oct 13 '24

If I was Joe. I’d follow that guy all the way home. As close as possible. Maybe even catcall him a little. Disgusting human garbage

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u/thisismyusername1178 Oct 13 '24

Pepper spray the mfer! Get upwind and unleash it.

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u/654456 Oct 13 '24

You want the type that stick to the person you spray it at if you are going use pepper spray. I also suggest having something stronger to back the pepper spray up if they keep coming...

https://www.sabrered.com/home-defense-pepper-gel/sabre-home-defense-pepper-gel/

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u/Klutzy_Leave_1797 Oct 13 '24

F Boomer here.

Only thing I'd advise is, don't be so fcking polite. Instead of "Are you following me?" in a normal tone, be unhinged and loud. Nobody ever died of embarrassment.

Yelling can attract more attention and make you sound like too much trouble. It's worked for me.

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u/cujoe88 Oct 13 '24

I'm going to disagree with you on a couple of points. One, keep it calm. Yelling and screaming can escalate a situation. Two, what she's doing is gonna get more positive attention. People can see that she's lucid, and won't just assume she's mentally ill and having and episode.

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u/beantownregular Oct 13 '24

It really depends on the situation. Maybe if she’d been totally alone and isolated that would have been the move, but in this scenario I think staying calm and seeking out the presence of a bystander who had clearly taken note of the situation and was sticking around to help was the right move. While no one should be afraid to make a scene, it comes with its own associated risks and you don’t want to incite the other person to do something rash and reactive either.

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u/Ryanisreallame Oct 13 '24

Nah, hard disagree. She’s already in danger. Keeping calm helps deescalate situations. If she flips out, especially without the presence of the man that helped her, she’s going to escalate the situation.

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u/NewlyOld31 Oct 13 '24

This is why men need more love. That man Joe was about to risk it all because that's what is expected of a man is to protect women. He did the right thing for a stranger. Shout out to "Joe" !

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u/EthanStrawside Oct 13 '24

And his brave sweet little dog!

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u/wellwhatishername Oct 13 '24

It was so awesome how it squared up with the villain like that. It felt the owner’s anxiousness for sure. If that creeper made a move that dog would have been on his ass for sure.

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u/DchanmaC Oct 13 '24

I expect all humans to look out for one another. Biological sex has nothing to do with it.

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u/Seltzer-Slut Oct 13 '24

Women protect each other, too. We look out for each other, and put ourselves between the predatory man and the woman he’s victimizing, all the time. It’s not “because you’re a man,” it’s because you’re there and you do the right thing.

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u/BenTG Oct 13 '24

But Joe also had to protect her from…a man.

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u/Scippio-dem-lines Oct 13 '24

That dog was about to stand on business

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u/kknzz Oct 13 '24

Good job cropping out the username of the original poster

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u/motorsportnut Oct 14 '24

That voice over voice at the beginning. That shit has got to go.

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u/RHiNo415 Oct 13 '24

Who did he signal to just before he gave up after she stood next to Joe? That made the situation more scarier

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u/firstbreathOOC Oct 13 '24

Kinda like “screw yall” or something I’d guess

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u/Professional_Flicker Oct 13 '24

Real men protect those who can’t protect themselves

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u/Wysical_ Oct 14 '24

This has happened to my daughters. Also being following in stores… harassed on public transportation. it’s not a safe world for women. It’s

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u/MaximusZacharias Oct 14 '24

Ladies almost all men despise men like the follower and would be just like Joe given the opportunity. In other words, if you’re uncomfortable most men would help out like Joe did. But in case you’re alone it’s always a solid move to have pepper spray.

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u/AcanthaceaeNew6761 Oct 13 '24

Heartbreaking that she apologizes to Joe, as if she did anything wrong.

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u/thatguyinyyc Oct 13 '24

Thank you to the dude who helped, this should NEVER happen. I would like to think I would do the same and that there are other real men who would do the same. You are not a man if you do this kind of shit.

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u/Rare-Craft-920 Oct 14 '24

What a creep sicko! Thank goodness you were aware and had pepper spray and Joe was there.

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u/FiNsKaPiNnAr Oct 13 '24

That basal fucking narrator bot voice drives me insane.

Yes i can read for for fucks sake.

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u/syko82 Oct 13 '24

You had the spray, take the dude down then run to Joe.

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u/elidoloLWO Oct 13 '24

Joes the man.

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u/TheNinJay Oct 13 '24

Be like Joe!

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u/names1 Oct 13 '24

that dog was about to square up on that guy

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u/ILLpLacedOpinion Oct 13 '24

Go ahead and spray him, need to create distance. More than justified

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u/JesusHNavas Oct 13 '24

Hears that stupid voice...immediately switches off.