Witnessing A Crime - Moral Obligation?

[FAH]

As Catholics if we were to see people committing crimes and breaking the law are we morally bound to inform the police? Or do we have a choice?

 

[PiousTemplar]

Of course.

 

[Pug]

No, not in all cases. It is not an absolute requirement. If, for example, you will further destroy the life of the victim of the crime by reporting the crime, and there is no chance of the law enforcement people doing anything useful with the information, I would not report it.

Take care, though, to be aware of you local laws concerning making police reports. Some places might have laws that you must report certain things.

If you live in a country with a completely corrupt police force, this can change your duties substantially.

 

[Catholic90]

As Catholics if we were to see people committing crimes and breaking the law are we morally bound to inform the police? Or do we have a choice?

Yes, of course. You discreetly call 911.

 

[Catholic90]

No, not in all cases. It is not an absolute requirement. If, for example, you will further destroy the life of the victim of the crime by reporting the crime, and there is no chance of the law enforcement people doing anything useful with the information, I would not report it.

Take care, though, to be aware of you local laws concerning making police reports. Some places might have laws that you must report certain things.

If you live in a country with a completely corrupt police force, this can change your duties substantially.

Assuming one is living in civilization, one should always report a crime. The perpetrators should be caught and prosecuted.

Could you give an example where you feel a crime should not be reported?

 

[FAH]

But if you reported the crime the perpetrator could be dealt a custodial sentence which could rip their family apart and cause all kinds of trouble in their life and the lives of their family.

And are we really obliged to report petty crimes we see people committing like speeding, drug dealing and things like that?

 

[jmcrae]

But if you reported the crime the perpetrator could be dealt a custodial sentence which could rip their family apart and cause all kinds of trouble in their life and the lives of their family.

Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.

And are we really obliged to report petty crimes we see people committing like speeding, drug dealing and things like that?

I assume the OP is talking about witnessing something violent - child abuse, bank robbery, auto theft, rape, murder, etc. I don’t think the police want to hear about your neighbor speeding, although probably they would be interested if you know of gang members selling drugs at your child’s school.

 

[Bookcat]

I think there may be various factors that may enter into the question.

If this is during the event?..perhaps an anon call to 911? (and later one can look into if one should come forward as “a witness” …)

If this is later…and there are other factors entering into the question…it may be there is more to consider.

(and heck is they guy stealing a pack of gum? or attacking someone!?? such can I think make a difference to in who you tell or call…etc)

So not sure of the answer.

 

[Pug]

Assuming one is living in civilization, one should always report a crime. The perpetrators should be caught and prosecuted.

Could you give an example where you feel a crime should not be reported?

Eh, off the top of my head, say I witness two men briefly argue and one shoves the shoulder of the other. At this point they apologize and the two seem okay with each other. The altercation was too quick for me to reach a phone and call the police. Do I report assault at this point? Probably not. I will leave it to the perfectly able-bodied man who was pushed to determine if he wishes to report assault.

However, if the altercation is going on long enough for me to call the police, I would call them and say a fight/assault is in progress.

 

[Will_B]

But if you reported the crime the perpetrator could be dealt a custodial sentence which could rip their family apart and cause all kinds of trouble in their life and the lives of their family.

And are we really obliged to report petty crimes we see people committing like speeding, drug dealing and things like that?

Since when was drug dealing a petty crime???

Drug dealers know how to get our youth addicted to drugs by selling at a low, low price or even giving away the drug… Once hooked, the user just keeps of buying at all cost, even stealing to obtain the money to buy drugs.

If you see a person committing a crime, yes report the crime

 

[FAH]

Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.

I assume the OP is talking about witnessing something violent - child abuse, bank robbery, auto theft, rape, murder, etc…

No not anything serious like your examples. I’m thinking shoplifting, drug dealing.
If I see one of the above crimes being committed do I really need to good mental image of the thief’s face or the drug dealers license plates and start recalling this information to the police the moment I get home?
As I said if I was to spew all I saw to the police the perpetrators children could be without a Dad or a Mother without her Daughter. So in fulfilling this “moral obligation” I could actually be bringing about bad. How does that work?

 

[puzzleannie]

As Catholics if we were to see people committing crimes and breaking the law are we morally bound to inform the police? Or do we have a choice?

we are obligated to obey all just civil laws. If this is the law where you live, and I don’t know why it would not be, yes you have this obligation. Even if it is not you have a moral obligation if persons are under threat or in danger. Make sure you are talking about crimes, not minor matters that do not ordinarily merit a police response.

But if you reported the crime the perpetrator could be dealt a custodial sentence which could rip their family apart and cause all kinds of trouble in their life and the lives of their family.

And are we really obliged to report petty crimes we see people committing like speeding, drug dealing and things like that?

unless you have been designated by the civil authority as judge and jury and social service system, this is not your call when someone is in danger.

I have already answered part 2.

If you are in the US and witness any crime or suspected abuse against children or minors you are obligated to report, under penalty of law yourself, if you are an educator or in any manner, paid or volunteer, in a position working with children or youth.

 

[jmcrae]

No not anything serious like your examples. I’m thinking shoplifting, drug dealing.

In the case of shoplifting, report it to store security and let them take it from there.

Drug dealing is extremely serious, and should be reported to the police if you are certain of what you saw (two kids acting sneaky in a back alley isn’t “certain” - they could be playing “spy vs. spy” for all you know), and can identify the people involved.

If I see one of the above crimes being committed do I really need to good mental image of the thief’s face or the drug dealers license plates and start recalling this information to the police the moment I get home?

If you don’t know the people, or you don’t know what you saw, then no, don’t say anything, unless you have an excellent memory for details. But if it’s someone you know (ie: you know their name and where they live - I’m not saying they have to be your best friend) and you know what you saw them doing, then yes, you should report them.

As I said if I was to spew all I saw to the police the perpetrators children could be without a Dad or a Mother without her Daughter. So in fulfilling this “moral obligation” I could actually be bringing about bad. How does that work?

The situation is already bad, if a crime is being committed. You need to keep your neighborhood safe - “harmless” drug deals are almost always followed by angry drug addicts with guns, shooting at anybody who gets in the way - including those kids.

 

[Catholic90]

**No not anything serious like your examples. I’m thinking shoplifting, drug dealing. **
If I see one of the above crimes being committed do I really need to good mental image of the thief’s face or the drug dealers license plates and start recalling this information to the police the moment I get home?
As I said if I was to spew all I saw to the police the perpetrators children could be without a Dad or a Mother without her Daughter. So in fulfilling this “moral obligation” I could actually be bringing about bad. How does that work?

You seem to think drug dealing is not serious. Drug dealing is very serious. Drugs KILL people.

Report it.

Chances are if they are dealing drugs, their children are exposed to all sorts of poisons, so it would be best to let the authorities sort it out.

Do you think having children being raised around drug dealers is a GOOD thing?

 

[FAH]

Do you think having children being raised around drug dealers is a GOOD thing?

No. But I think that it is very important for a child to be raised by a mother and father and not have these vital relationships broken apart which I could well do if I reported the license plate of a car which a young man approached, put something through the window and was then given something in return.

 

[Catholic90]

No. But I think that it is very important for a child to be raised by a mother and father and not have these vital relationships broken apart which I could well do if I reported the license plate of a car which a young man approached, put something through the window and was then given something in return.

Don’t you think it is important for a child to be raised in a drug-free environment?

All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.

 

[jmcrae]

No. But I think that it is very important for a child to be raised by a mother and father and not have these vital relationships broken apart which I could well do if I reported the license plate of a car which a young man approached, put something through the window and was then given something in return.

If instead of being given something in return, he had been shot dead, would you be having a moral quandary about whether to report it or not?

He is just being killed more slowly, if in fact he was buying illegal drugs. (If you are sure he was buying illegal drugs, then you should certainly report this. The police may or may not arrest the person, but it will give them information about where the gangs are operating, and what they are doing.)

 

[FAH]

Don’t you think it is important for a child to be raised in a drug-free environment?

Absolutely. But does little Jimmy want to be visiting Daddy in prison? Or does the mother of the drug dealer want to be kept awake at night worrying about her son?
If you look at the situation from the moment it happened you’d be on the phone to the police in a flash but when you approach situations like this with some forethought you can accept that what happened is very wrong but informing the police won’t just bring negative effects on the perpetrators but on their families and loved ones.

 

[Catholic90]

Absolutely. But does little Jimmy want to be visiting Daddy in prison? Or does the mother of the drug dealer want to be kept awake at night worrying about her son?
If you look at the situation from the moment it happened you’d be on the phone to the police in a flash but when you approach situations like this with some forethought you can accept that what happened is very wrong but informing the police won’t just bring negative effects on the perpetrators but on their families and loved ones.

So let’s put YOUR LOVED ONE in the situation. What if little Jimmy’s dad was the one selling the crack or meth to YOUR CHILD. Now how would you feel?

The mother of the drug dealer now probably worries he is going to be shot when a drug deal goes bad.
Is it better for little Jimmy to be watching his daddy’s dealers operate. Maybe little Jimmy will learn early on how to be a drug dealer too. Then he can start operating early and start selling to his friends…one of whom might be YOUR DAUGHTER.

 

[FAH]

So let’s put YOUR LOVED ONE in the situation. What if little Jimmy’s dad was the one selling the crack or meth to YOUR CHILD. Now how would you feel?

I’d feel like a bad parent who hadn’t done enough to warn my child of the danger of drugs or protect them from exposure to them.

Is it better for little Jimmy to be watching his daddy’s dealers operate. Maybe little Jimmy will learn early on how to be a drug dealer too. Then he can start operating early and start selling to his friends…one of whom might be YOUR DAUGHTER.

Well that I agree on he may after watching his fathers actions he may himself employ them in his own life but if Jimmy grew up in a broken home with a absent father figure I think that would damage him quite severely in a mental sense.

He can either have no father figure (or one which is intermittent)
Or he can have a corrupt one.