COUNTYWIDE : Citizens Praised for Helping Police

Fred Smith witnessed a savage beating and stabbing of a young man--and didn’t think twice about helping him.

Smith’s actions probably saved the 19-year-old victim’s life, police said.

Every day, citizens risk their own safety to become involved in a variety of situations to help stop crime. They call 911 from their homes and car phones, write down license plate numbers, and even follow suspects in their cars or chase them on foot.

Police say they welcome the citizen assistance because many times their involvement helps make arrests.

“Basically, they become our eyes and ears,” said Fountain Valley Police Chief Elvin Miali. “We can’t be everywhere with our manpower, so we really depend on citizens to locate criminals or call in suspicious acts they see.”

The incident involving Smith occurred in Buena Park just after midnight Oct. 19 as he was sitting in his car in a grocery store parking lot. He said he saw several men across the street at a gas station beating a teen-ager.

“I told my wife that those guys were going to beat him to death,” said Smith, 43, of Buena Park.

Smith drove to the gas station and started honking his horn, chasing the thugs away. He jumped out of the car and ran to the victim, who had several stab wounds and was bleeding.

“He kept saying: ‘Please mister, I don’t want to die,’ ” Smith recalled.

Smith administered first aid until paramedics arrived.

“At first, I couldn’t believe the kids were fighting like that,” he said. “My wife didn’t want me to get involved, but I felt they were going to kill him. It was something I felt I had to do.”

For his action, Smith recently received a commendation from the Buena Park City Council.

Anaheim Police Chief Joseph T. Molloy recalled a park shooting last year where an unarmed citizen confronted a group of alleged gang members. The citizen approached the group and detained a male who had a gun until police arrived.

“A lot of times people get involved, and I don’t think they think about it--they react before they know they’re involved in the situation,” Molloy said.

Police said they don’t encourage citizens to become involved if the situation places their lives at risk. “In pursuing somebody, you don’t know what’s going to happen--if they have a weapon or if the suspect is combatant,” Miali said.

When people do become involved, their acts of courage don’t go without notice. Police departments honor citizens for their actions with special awards.

“It’s important to recognize the people who get involved and let the community know that there are people who step forward and take that kind of action, which people normally would not do,” said Buena Park Police Chief Richard M. Tefank.

In Fountain Valley, such recognition comes through Crimebiter awards. Last week, 26 citizens received the award at a special ceremony.