Here’s one of those what would you do posts

So the FW and I are sitting on the Croix enjoying a relatively quiet evening (everyone knows how rare that is) not catching fish when a ski boat comes up the lake and heads straight for shore. About 30 yards from shore he plants it in reverse and stops the boat dead in the water. I noticed, thinking what an idiot when I heard him rev it in reverse and start yelling obsenities. This is about 300 yards from us. he goes out a little from shore and makes some real hair raising turns and shuts the boat down. Now I can really hear him. He’s less than 100 yards from us now. This is a domestic on the water. Not really wanting to get involved I continued fishing and kind of watching them out of the corner of my eye. Then they…more he…really got going. I think I heard every F in Himer that could come out of one persons mouth in a matter of a minute or 2. Then he got over the top of her and at the very least was threatening her. I couldn’t tell if he was hitting her or not. I at that point got on the radio and tryed calling for the water patrol that and gone towards Prescott 10 minutes earlier. It took 3 tries but I finally raised them. They were only a mile away. As they approached, the guy started up the boat and started motoring away. Then he headed for shore. Bailed out and ran leaving the women to try and keep the boat off the rocks. Because I had the FW along I wasnt going to get any more involved then that and radioed the Wash co sheriff that I was leaving the area.

So the question is; at what point do you call for help?
Is it none of your/my business or did I wait too long?

Food for thought.

Nice quiet night on the Croix huh?

To me…once I realized that he was threatening to run the boat on shore…that would have been the time for a call. No differant than pointing a gun at her.

Not approaching the boat was a good choice in your favor.

…and I would have used the cell phone because most of those types of boats have radios.

Ps The upper St Croix has less traffic…just watch out for Steve DeMars and don’t wake his catfish hole.

I would say you done the right thing,I found in my younger days if you confront aq deal as that they both turn on you. You got it stopped and stayed out of harms way my hat is oof to you.

Brian I did use the cell also. Dakota county was trying to find out which dept was on the river. By the time they called me back I had raised Wash co on the radio. and I didnt care if they heard me on the radio…That would have stopped it too. And besides…he was not paying attention to anything at that point and probably didnt even know we were there

I agree with brian on the time to call that situation probaly aint gonna get any better the longer you wait. And as long as it didnt become physical i would stay out of it (other than the call) because tommorrow they will probaly be all lovey dovey and you would probaly be in jail.

Every situation is different, sounds like you did what was right, Sadly I think it’s best to not involve yourself any more than you did. Never know the person state of mind, is he going to run you down, stab you? shoot you? Rule number one is to be to keep your family and self safe, nothing should violate that rule. No good (to you) will come from any personal confrontation in a situation like this.

Me? I’ve been know to call people in drunk for irratic behavior, heck as far as I can figure either they are drunk or mentally ill, and maybe a cop is a better judge to that than I. If I feel threatened or in fear of harm, from an idoit on the water (or road), I much rather someone else deal with the crazy person.

More or less this goes back to my MN permit to carry training, if I can remove myself from the scene, I’ll do so. I’ll let those legally bound and able to sort things out, I may keep an eye on the situation, if I believe I won’t violate rule #1.

Either way you did good, and you did the right thing, don’t second guess your actions and or timing.

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I didnt care if they heard me on the radio…That would have stopped it too.

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Good point! The goal is to stop the assult and that might have done it.

Then again…how big was his boat? How big was yours?;)

You did the right thing…he left. (and I wasn’t there)

One of the reasons I brought up the cell phone is that I’ve heard boaters trying to hail the water patrol on weekends without any luck. I know there were a number of them…more than three boats out from differant agencies. I recall on fella being told to call on his cell as they didn’t monitor the marine bands. That was a couple years ago.

I’m sure he thought you didn’t do the right thing but I bet she is extrmly grateful for your concern!

GOOD JOB!

“I recall on fella being told to call on his cell as they didn’t monitor the marine bands. That was a couple years ago. ”

Apparently Wash Co does.

I see the Dakota co pretty regular. Im going to ask him about the radio.

Don’t get me wwrong guys. I know I did the right thing about making the call. Bringing it up in a forum like this gets everyone thinking about emergencies. When to call and when you are going to mind your own business. The judgement to call came when he was standing over her and threating her. Someone elses experiece can be a guide to your experiences. If it would have just been an arguement/fight I probably would have done nothing. But it was just too excellerated.

But then again a little positive reiforcement doesnt hurt.

You did good. NO HUMAN deserves to be threatened by someone. And you did the right thing by not getting yourself in a situation with this . Ask any cop what is the worst situation to go into and they will tell you a domestic dispute. All the cops I know hate going into situations like that.

What channel are you supposed to use to try to get law enforcement to respond?

Channel 16 is the distress channel in most areas. On the ‘sippi the Lock and Dams run on 14.

Clarence, I think if I saw anything like that I would have been on the phone in seconds. I don’t think any police officer is going to chew you out if it turns out unfounded. I always like to err on the safe side. Let the boys in blue sort it out. The big thing is to stay away! I have to agree with Farmboy on this one. My father was a police officer and I went on many ride alongs, and I never, never left the car on a domestic. They can deal with most things out there but emotions are so unpredictable.

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Channel 16 is the distress channel in most areas. On the ‘sippi the Lock and Dams run on 14.

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Thanks

You did the right thing. PS..Theirs NO fish in the upper croix….. nope nada zilch. all gone.

I’ll agree with you here. I was a police officer for five years and decided I like the medical calls better. So I’m working on my paramedic degree now and working a normal job. But Domestic’s where the worst calls and effected all of the persons family. Kids seem to be the most over looked. Nobody deserves this kind of treatment! Good job on the call!

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You did good. NO HUMAN deserves to be threatened by someone. And you did the right thing by not getting yourself in a situation with this . Ask any cop what is the worst situation to go into and they will tell you a domestic dispute. All the cops I know hate going into situations like that.

What channel are you supposed to use to try to get law enforcement to respond?

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I’ll agree with you here. I was a police officer for five years and decided I like the medical calls better. So I’m working on my paramedic degree now and working a normal job.

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Are you saying police and paramedics are abnormal?

What I primarily don’t understand, nor comprehend, is what makes a moron like this?

He is such a “tough guy”, he has to take it out on a woman????

If he wants to be tough, I’m sure there are plenty of us around that would volunteer!

I’m sure their children will be both happy and proud……

You did the right thing Clarence.

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What I primarily don’t understand, nor comprehend, is what makes a moron like this?

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Maybe she broke his favorite catfish pole in half…or heaven forbid, maybe she sat on and wrinkled his reelweeds.

On a serious note, regardless of the reason, that is no way to treat a lady. I hope she gets smart and finds someone who does…for her sake.