LAist: Jogger Rescues Drowning Man in MacArthur Park; LAPD, LAFD Just Watch, Fail To Take Action

Phlogiston

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:36:31 -0800

Sometimes guys just don't feel like they can live any longer; the pain of loss or rejection is too much. They get drunk, and try to kill themselves. If someone saves them they usually realize that life is worth living, and never try suicide again. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Those public employees in the park remind me of the Seattle cops who stood by while a guy was beaten to death by a mob, because they were 'waiting for orders' to deal with the mob. Why do guys like that join police / fire departments? Retirement after 20 years; job security; good health insurance; plenty of overtime; very low educational requirements...

LAFD

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:35:34 -0800

Mark, Again thanks (to you and Steve) for sharing your experience here on LAist. We appreciate your following us on Twitter, and remain confident that the LAFD Battalion Chief who oversees that area can address your aforementioned concerns in a full and forthright manner. Please always ride and Twitter safely! Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service, Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Los Angeles Fire Department LAFD Blog: lafd.org/blog

panasonicyouth

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:18:56 -0800

Brian! I get Twitters from you all the time! I'll contact the chief. Thanks!

LAFD

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:38:45 -0800

Sorry, make that Mark not Stephen - and kudos to him for participating in the AIDS/LifeCycle event. Brian

LAFD

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:35:16 -0800

Please pardon my tardy reply to this thread, which was (as you might imagine) troubling for me to read. The post of course, offered as many questions as it may have answers - yet Stephen's stated actions and displayed concern for a person in distress must be recognized and lauded. Like you, I am deeply pleased that there was only one person requiring assistance - and he was taken to California Hospital by LAFD ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. While I look more deeply into the matter, I will strongly encourage Stephen to contact the Battalion Chief who oversees the MacArthur Park community at (213) 485-6281. Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service, Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Los Angeles Fire Department

panasonicyouth

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:43:07 -0800

I'll pass on a ticket to heaven and take a "Free of Possible Diseases" card instead. Yikes, that water is gross. Thanks for the kind words, guys. I am flattered.

Johnny

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:55:44 -0800

Thank God he didn't take you under with him. For that reason I too wouldn't have gone in to save him but kudos to you for risking your life for this dumbass drunk. I think you've racked up some major credits to get into Heaven.

xtx

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:53:52 -0800

kudos to this guy for doing the right thing!

b3rti3

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:25:09 -0800

a true Hero!

Will Campbell

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:42:32 -0800

It is bicyclists who will save this planet, one drowning combative drunk-in-the-muck at a time. Oshiro rhymes with HERO!

marebear264

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:04:22 -0800

Wow!! More power to him. No one deserves to die....even if the guy was plastered. Sad that others just stood there and watched.

zik

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:54:04 -0800

I can say truthfully that I would not have gone in, so kudos to this guy.