When it comes to our collective safety, see something, say something

In a crowded subway station during rush hour there was a man acting erratically. He kept pacing back and forth near the edge of the platform and occasionally looked over the edge of the tracks. Several commuters saw the man’s behavior and did not intervene as they were busy and figured the man must be stressed and it is not their responsibility to get involved. Another group of college-aged kids pulled out their phones to film the man, snickering while they did. Meanwhile, another person saw something was off with his behavior and despite feeling a bit apprehensive, approached the man to strike up a conversation, asking if everything was all right. She assessed the man might have been going through a mental health crisis and immediately notified a station attendant to stay with the man until help arrived.

A lot of us act like commuters or college-aged kids who do not feel it is their responsibility to intervene. These people are bystanders. Marine Corps veteran and former Durango police Chief Bob Brammer said fewer of us will be like the lady who spoke up and intervened, who acted. She is an active bystander. He said that we are more likely to pull out our phones and film a situation or post about it on social media than act or say something.

Brammer said, “see something, say something.” This action may save lives.

Turns out this concept of “See Something Say Something” is an initiative, which initially launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2010. It has since been adopted by various cities and communities worldwide. The initiative urges people to remain vigilant and report any unusual behavior or activities that may pose a threat to public safety. This could include everything from unattended bags in public spaces to people exhibiting suspicious behavior.

Central to the “See Something Say Something” initiative is the concept of active bystanders – people like the lady in the subway who refuse to be passive bystanders in the face of potential danger. Upstanders actively observe their surroundings and are willing to act by reporting any concerns to the appropriate authorities. By embodying the principles of vigilance and responsibility, upstanders play a vital role in enhancing the overall safety and security of their communities.

One of the key strengths of the “See Something Say Something” initiative lies in its ability to empower communities. By fostering a culture of awareness and collaboration, the initiative encourages citizens to take ownership of their collective safety. When people feel empowered to speak up and report suspicious activities, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens as well as makes a community more resilient and safer.

Here are some of the “See Something, Say Something” resources here in La Plata County:

Dr. Theresa Larson is a leading expert and advocate for well-being and strength across both personal and professional domains. She is the founder of Movement Rx, where she and her team help people and organizations optimize physical and mental health.