What To Do in an Emergency

From the beginning of our adolescence to our last year of high school, we are always reminded what to do in case of an emergency (whether it be medical or criminal, etc.). We call 9-1-1. When our parents are having a heart attack, when we find a dead body, when we get into a car accident, we call 9-1-1. So how is it possible that twenty, not one, but twenty people did not call 9-1-1 as they heard/saw a 15-year-old girl being gang raped outside Richmond High School?

Perhaps these witnesses were scared that they, themselves, would be the next victim of they ratted out these criminals. Maybe they did this to protect their families. Regardless of the reason, I think that the the California law that requires a witness of a crime of a child to contact the police should stand for all people, not just children 14 and under. It is common sense to help a person in need; shouldn't we all be Good Samaritans? Or are we all just too cowardly, or have too much to do to get involved in such a complicated matter.

How can you be a human being and not help a young 15-year-old girl when she is being sexually assaulted right before your eyes? Even if you hear something and it seems wrong, how can you not dial 9-1-1 (even anonymously)? If these witnesses are teens,(which most of them might be) then I'm ashamed to call myself a teenager. Really, now, where is our sense of duty to our neighbors and fellow community members - our morals?

So, what do we do in an emergency? We call. 9-1-1.