Kitty Genovese was a lesbian, BTW.

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I didn't know that...if she hadn't been, do you think her neighbors might've... (This is why I don't sleep at night, isn't it? Give it a rest, Timmy.)

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Some studies suggest that you're most likely to get help if there's only one witness. One witness knows that it's her responsibility; multiple witnesses can comfort themselves by thinking that somebody else must have handled it by now.

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erika, I think there's more to it. I know there have been cases where people aren't just hearing the screams from their windows, but are witnessing an assault, but don't help. I saw someone on some show once, say if that happens to you--if you're being attacked and there are a bunch of witnesses failing to act, you select someone. For example, you say, "You in the black leather jacket, help me." It breaks the [whatever it's called] of the crowd.

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For example, you say, "You in the black leather jacket, help me." It breaks the [whatever it's called] of the crowd.

I think that's the way CPR works, too -- you pick out one person and say "You! Call 911."

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I could see how that might happen....stops you from looking at the other members and wondering when they will do something.

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So you, with the black leather jacket (assuming it's not happening in the fall in NY) feel individually responsible. Pretty cool.

I've only witnessed one scenario which needed a 911 call, and since the first person to reach the victim announced herself as a nurse, I hared off for the phone (without saying I was going to do so, which is contra-protocol). The call took forever, since the operator seemed convinced I'd been hit by a car and needed an ambulance.

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I think that's the way CPR works, too -- you pick out one person and say "You! Call 911."

Yes, I think so. People just get frozen in this state where they think it isn't their place, and can't even process that they have to help. You need to break the spell.

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Like Customer Service Hell, but macabre,ita.

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I think that's the way CPR works, too -- you pick out one person and say "You! Call 911."

They do specifically teach that in CPR class. I've been through the class a number of times, although I still suspect it will all leave my brain when faced with an actual CPR situation. The sequence that you practice is, "Ask the person if he's okay. If he's unresponsive, designate someone to call 911. Check for breathing...." You're supposed to get the person you're designating to say something like, "I'm calling 911."

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