June 3, 2012
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Another Day in the City
Despite the obvious signs of gentrification in my 'hood, it is still a high crime area. There are murders and robberies - just like any large metropolitan city. Tonight, I was reminded of how my beautiful neighborhood with its galleries, restaurants, pubs, shops (clothing, pets, cards, books, furniture, bags / knapsacks) can clash with the seedier side of life. I was walking home carrying my groceries when I noticed people scurrying about in the street corner ahead of me. I was still a bit of a distance away and was only thinking about getting home. As I got closer, I noticed one guy started to slump down against the wall while two others were trying to figure out what to do. A man rushed out of a restaurant with a table cloth. Another man from the restaurant was on the street corner with his cell phone talking animatedly. By this time, the man was lying on the sidewalk.
As I crossed the street, I noticed the man on the sidewalk was bleeding badly. One man knelt over him with the tablecloth pressed against the wounded guy's abdomen. I put my groceries down to see what I could do. The restaurant staff came out with more towels and a bucket of ice. The man pressing against the wound told the guy to turn over so he could check his back. I could see a wound there but it wasn't that deep. He told the guy to lie back down. I asked the man administering first aid if he saw what had happened, he said no. I grabbed one of the towels and started to see if there were any other open wounds. I looked down at the guy. He looked like he was used to life in the streets. He asked if his lips was busted open. One of the man standing said no. I looked closer and there was 2 deep gashes. I put some ice in the towel and told the guy I was going to put it on his lip. He didn't say anything.
I don't think I was there for more than 2 minutes when sirens started to wail. I looked up and could see the police cars screaming to halt in front of us. The 2 cops jumped out. The man holding the tablecloth against the wound and I moved away as the police took over. One of policeman said there was something going on down the street and he disappeared down the street. In a blink of an eye, there were 3 or 4 police cars had crammed into the street corner. As I walked away, I could see an ambulance screeching to the scene.
When I got home I noticed a bit of blood on my shoes where the man had touched me as he flayed about. I was careful when I took it off. I got some rubbing alcohol to wipe it down but the stain won't come out. It's an old shoe and I was going to get a new one anyways.
Another day in the city. Another statistic. It wasn't me. I'm thankful. I hope the guy recovers and I hope guardian angels will watch over our police and our first respondents.
Comments (19)
I'm completely shocked about what recently happened here in Montreal and what just happened in Toronto ...
Matt, how awful and how sad that such a horrible crime could happen in a good neighbourhood, and in a civilized nation. I pray that the man recovers and is able to rehabilitate. Glad you were able to help. God bless you.
Wow, sad to hear that this happened. Thankfully there are people about who care enough to provide aid.
The neighborhoods change with age and residents. I am proud you were one of the people trying to help the bloodies guy. I guess be careful is an understatement.
Wow, What a way to end the weekend! I'm glad you are okay, hopefully the wounded guy will recover soon and his assailants caught.
What a scary story! I am surprised you had the courage to help. I would freeze.
Sorry to read that story. It was brave when you engaged the person who was bleeding.
what an unfortunate day for many of you to experience. i have always thought canada as a very peaceful place to live in. hope the wounded guy got fixed and all better today.
It's a crazy (dangerous) world we live in...
A lot of not-so-nice occurrences this week it seems. Good on you for lending a hand. Try to stay safe!
oh my! i'm glad this didn't happen to you. stay safe out there!
@kachino - I'm glad they caught both criminals. On the Mtl one, I can't help but feel so sorry for the parents back in China. I have no idea how the victim met this sicko, I am guessing he was lured.
@ZSA_MD - I read he was treated and released. I made a note to myself to take a first aid course so I can be more useful in these types of situations.
@christao408 - the guy who tended to the victim's wound stayed calm and seemed to know what to do. As I mentioned in my response to Dr. Zakiah, I should take a first aid course. I mean aside from applying pressure to the wounds, I am not sure what exactly to do.
@Fatcat723 - I'm usually careful when I take a walk at night. It is a busy neighbourhood. I read that this guy was involved in a fight with a group of folks and I guess he was outnumbered.
@CurryPuffy - I didn't see what had happened, I came to the scene late and did what I could. Thankfully there was another guy there already who was helping him.
@beowulf222 - I wasn't really sure what to do at first. I confirmed that someone had called the police and what help I did was very short. It didn't feel right to walk away even though the guy was getting help. It wasn't really courageous - I think you would have done the same thing. There's an inner strength we all have.
@ed408 - thanks, the other guy was there ahead of me and had the situation under control. I just lent what help I could.
@rudyhou - it's relatively peaceful compared to other countries. But we have our fair share of crime, poverty and misery too. The guy was treated in the hospital and released the same day.
@oxyGENE_08 - isn't it. I think we all have a duty to brighten it a bit.
@paperblanks - thank you, I do try to be safe when I walk around at night. I want to take a first aid course and also a self defense course too. If someone came at me with a knife I won't really know how to fight back.
@kunhuo42 - I read he was in a fight with a group of other people and I guess he lost badly. I will stay safe.
@ElusiveWords - You don't know me very well. I would have taken my newspaper out and pretended to read; thus no seeing anything. Hear no monkey, See no monkey, Speak no Monkey.
hydrogen peroxide.
nice of you to help Matty!
Crime terrifies me, but so do the police. I don't know what to do.
i hate to admit it but i really don't know if i would've had the same courage to do what you did...you're a good soul!!!
@yang1815 - I think I have to wash it but it's an old pair of running shoes with holes on the top. Maybe I'll just use it for chores around my dad's place. I forgot about hydrogen peroxide. I'll have to give that a try.
@secade - the police don't scare me although I'm a bit wary about them.
@jace1982 - thanks Jason, there was somebody there first which made it a lot easier. It wasn't as bad as it seemed. I was more scared about getting the guy's blood on me.
@ElusiveWords - Hope it works!
It's scary that these things happen... all the time... undocumented and not heard of other than when people witness it firsthand.
On a different point of view, it's also amazing that there are people like you, the restaurant staff, and the police - ordinary people trying to help someone in need out.
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