1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
perhaps advising him of the potential consequences - all without charges or arrest; which might have been enough to make him think twice about it.
I'd tend to think that this would have had an effect only if he weren't serious about his plans...or simply bluffing the couple in order to have a few chuckles at their expense. A man who's already made up his mind to kill isn't going to be phased by any implied legal consequences over stalking or communicating threats. He's already far beyond that.
El T has probably nailed it again...as usual. The prevailing attitude that the police are there to protect us as individuals has been fostered and taught by so many people for so long, that many of us have actually come to accept it and believe it...sometimes with tragic results.
The police cannot protect anyone, except incidentally and occasionally. They are under no legal or moral obligation to do so...though most will if they happen to be on the scene...and this is probably as it should be. Our care and protection is the job of our mothers, and once we're able to fend for ourselves...we should take full responsibility for that. We are not children, after all. To feel that it's someone else's responsibility to guide and protect us throughout our lives is frankly, an unacceptable notion. It not only destroys that in us which makes us strong...it hands too much power over our lives to other people...people who...as observed earlier...have no stake in the ultimate outcome.
The assignment of the policemen is to enforce the law...to serve ad protect the community as a whole. Not individuals. Your safety is your responsibility.
See to it...before it's too late.