A little shaken up

[Snail Shell]

You hear about this crap on the news and on tv specials and as a plotline on fictional crime show and stuff. It never really hits you until you actually see it happening that this stuff is real.

Earlier tonight I was at work at my Beer Store when a dad walks in with his brother or friend or something and his daughter who must have been about 8 or 9. The daughter isn't wearing any shoes or anything and I let them know it's not a good idea for her to be in the store without shoes because there's broken glass shards on the floor and she can get cut. Dad saw the reason in this and told his daughter to wait outside for him and his friend. She stands outside the exit patiently.

Now, this happened in broad daylight in a plaza with a fair number of people around, but this plaza is known for unwholesome characters, crime, drug use and addicts. Much like Ron. Ron's got a criminal record, a series of various addictions and has been banned from the plaza. It's not like the plaza has security, so he still comes around from time to time, like today when that little girl was standing outside.

He was standing about 20 feet away from her and started talking to her. Dad and his friend are deciding what to get and everyone else is occupied and I'm the only one seeing this, so I'm at full alert. Ron bent over, extended his hand and started walking toward the girl. I called the dad, headed outside and convinced Ron to leave her alone just after I broke his nose over my knee. He left soon after that. Dad calmed the girl down and I went back inside to finish my day.

I don't even know what to say. I'm a little shaken. I can only imagine what that girl is feeling. I just hope she's okay.

Just another day at the office, right?

Snail Shell

 

[Comfort Eagle]

I called the dad, headed outside and convinced Ron to leave her alone just after I broke his nose over my knee.

Damn Snaily, you're pretty badass...:super_hap


Seriously dude, I live in a town where this kind of shit happens alot. It makes me sick to my stomach. Good thing you were there. You're a good man to watch out for that girl..:super_hap

 

[Violetta]

You did good beating the man and sending him on his way. n_n It sounds like the place really does need to have some security around, though. What's the point of banning dangerous people if they can just come and go as they please?

 

[darkwolf1]

since i've been on her side of that situation...even though i was a good bit older...i don't mind saying thanks for being a someone who cared enough to act.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

The little ones need our protection. Some people just don't understand what is hands off. Good job!

 

[Comfort Eagle]

The little ones need our protection. Some people just don't understand what is hands off.

What we need us is a good ol' mob!

 

[Snail Shell]

Many thanks to everyone for their well-wishes. In response to the question about security, we have a neighbourhood watch system in the plaza and our store has cameras set up to record stuff in and around the store. In case the police come around asking questions, we have him on tape bothering and approaching the girl, arguing with me and mouthing off after I stopped him. The police know him as a trouble maker in the area.

In retrospect, calling the police would have been a better idea and I certainly didn't act the smartest I've ever acted, but everyone's still in one piece.

Thanks again.

Snail Shell

 

[blackmagicjack1]

I would not beat yourself up in any way over this. At least you took action.

 

[P[a]pi]

Well, it's great that you stopped a potentially bad thing from happening SS.

But, I think the dad and brother were idiots. They shouldn't have put the little girl or you in that position. One of them should have stayed outside with her or one of them should have just picked her up and held her.

 

[Duane2k]

You did more than some suckers would Shell, and you did the right thing.

There's been times I've taken action when something else might have been a better option, but it still worked out. At a frat party, some guy who was flat out wasted was trying to rub up on my friend's girlfriend while he was in line for the bathroom. She's getting really uncomfortable, so I walk over and try to help escort her away from him and he grabs on to her arm and wraps himself around her from behind. I ripped his hands off of her and she ducked behind me as he starts trying to grab her again, then he shoved me. Without even thinking, I dropped him with a hard shot right the the jaw, watched him fall backwards onto a table, and then lead her outside and called my friend and let him know what happened. Needless to say, they both were appreciative of the effort.

I guess the moral of the story is sometimes impulsive action is better than no action... sometimes.

 

[Relent<]

I would've done the same thing in your situation; I mean, what the hell?? But then again, if had been my daughter, I would've killed him.
I wouldn't have her standing outside by herself either-- if she didn't have shoes, I'd put her on my shoulders. But then again, why bring a little girl to a beer store? Especially in as shoddy as neighborhood as you described. I don't know what the circumstances were, so I won't judge, but regardless, Snail Shell, you officially kick ass.

 

[TKLVR181]

Man, good job you were watching out the window at that particular moment...was there any charges pressed? I sure as shell would, pardon the pun!

~K

 

[Cbarton]

Good job, SS. Sometimes you call in help, sometimes you take action. You did the right thing at that point. Negative points for Dad endangering her there. Some parents just don't think, sad to say. Lucky for her (and him) you thougth ahead and took action.

 

[Wade1]

I'll admit that if it had been my daughter in this situation, I'd be a little concerned after the fact about the possible traumatic repercussions of seeing a nose broken right in front of her. And about the potential outcome of someone's violently engaging a drug-addicted ex-con mere yards away from her. If I'd been in the situation I like to think my first priority would have been to remove the girl from the equation rather than pummeling the evildoer.

That said, in an era when too many people default to minding their own business (even post-Kitty Genovese), Shell's choice to intervene at all is indeed commendable, and the outcome seems to have been preferable to the worst-case alternative.

Of course, everyone's also right when they think about the parent's choices in this scenario and say WTF?

 

[FT Genikit]

That was good of you to protect her. Who know what would happen if you weren't there. Also, it serve Rod's right for trying to get close to her like that.

 

[Camel26]

Snail Shell: Brilliant artist, friend to hump-backed 4 legged creatures, and protector of children...quite a resume.

I'm proud of you...and echo the sentiments of others who have posted: Dad was an idiot for leaving her out there, lack of security, Ron is a douchebiscuit, etc. Kudos to you for stepping up to the plate and making sure that little girl was safe.

My hero...

 

[Snail Shell]

An update:

At work today, two police officers came by on request from the father. They asked me what happened and I told them the above story. They could pretty much fill in the rest of the story for themselves when I told them it was Ron. Officially, they told me to be careful and call them in such situations, but off the record, they told me that if I hadn't done it, they would have and assured me that I'm safe from all legal action. I offered them the security tape. We watched it to confirm the story and they were on their way.

So that's that. Not my proudest or smartest moment I'll admit, but, to be cliche, all's well that ends well.

Snail Shell

 

[Comfort Eagle]

An update:

At work today, two police officers came by on request from the father. They asked me what happened and I told them the above story. They could pretty much fill in the rest of the story for themselves when I told them it was Ron. Officially, they told me to be careful and call them in such situations, but off the record, they told me that if I hadn't done it, they would have and assured me that I'm safe from all legal action. I offered them the security tape. We watched it to confirm the story and they were on their way.

So that's that. Not my proudest or smartest moment I'll admit, but, to be cliche, all's well that ends well.

Snail Shell

Fuck Yeah, Snail Shell. I'd be proud of it.

 

[kopfhorer1]

...
I think the dad and brother were idiots. They shouldn't have put the little girl or you in that position. One of them should have stayed outside with her or one of them should have just picked her up and held her.

No damn joke! Leaving a young girl outside a store, unattended? What were those people thinking?

You took a risk, Snaily, but you stepped into the void left by the kid's folks, who certainly should have known better. I'm glad things worked out for you. And for the kid.

 

[Big_Dogg85]

If you don't mind me asking, where in your fine city is your Beer Store located? (You can PM me if u don't want to make the locale public)

The reason is I know of some places where it would be suicide to have any sort of security around becuz the neighbourhood is so bad. (For example: Rexdale and along Kipling is pretty crappy)

 

[Timewarp]

I would buy you a beer. Two problems.

1. I don't know where you work
2. and i'm not old enough.

But you did good snail. You did good.
(Ps...really...don't reveal info on internet 🙂 )

 

[Betchass1]

Crazy story. Not exactly something to be saying "congratulations" or "good job" for.