What does the phrase “If you see something, say something” mean to you?

Question

RACSKC0B · Accepted Answer

What's right is right.
Standing by, and minding your own business ain't right all the time.
If I see a dude that's got a girl by the throat, I say something, to him.
I look at him until he gets mad, and asks me WTF? Then I tell him, I don't care what the fight is about or who's right or wrong, I'm not calling the cops. But I can't say no one else will. Walk away from each other for five minutes and calm the fuck down.
Every time I've said it, it's worked, but I'm sure there's a special asshole who won't listen.
And then I won't care if it makes me a snitch, or a liar. Dudes beating on chick's ain't right. Neither is a lot of the other stuff guys do.
The only people who think it makes you a snitch to call the cops, are criminals. Why?
Because they don't like cops, so they started telling people you're a snitch if you talk to the cops. But when your house gets broken into, are they gonna go get your shit back?
Nope.
Can they give you a form that your insurance will accept as proof that you reported the crime?
Nope.
Was it probably the people that told you talking to the cops makes you a snitch that robbed your house?
Probably.
Sorry a bit off topic, but if a rant.
It means if something doesn't look right to inform someone of authority so they can look into it. Don't just assume someone else will.

DaveJord · Accepted Answer

Well it started with safety issues in the work place. Meaning if you saw something unsafe then you need to say something. Everyone is a safety officer and should stop any unsafe act. "See something say something."

Then was adopted for use in regards for sexual harassment in the work place. Lots of victims don't want to report sexual harassment in the work place out of fear of repercussions. So if you felt you were a victim of sexual harassments or you felt that you were witnessing in appropriate behaviors in the work place then you need to report it. "See something, say something."

Then with the modern advent of Terrorisms, police and law enforcement adopted it so raise awareness that as a bystander if you see something that does not look right or feel right you should report it immediately because you can save lives. 'See something, say something."

So now its been adopted by the Department of Homeland Defense as the primary slogan of to combat terrorisms.

www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/about-campaign#:~:text="If%20You%20See%20Something%2C%20Say,state%20and%20local%20law%20enforcement.

melanieeeB · Accepted Answer

From watching a lot of true crime, it means to be aware of your surroundings and if something feels odd or you see something happening, you should call the authorities and do something. It can safe life's.

TrueConfection · Accepted Answer

It reminds me of the Russians teaching children that they are heroes if they report their mommy or daddy for saying anything bad about Mother Russia.

ShadezMcgee · Answer

It is in regards to situational awareness and the behavior of individuals in the environment. To keep any eye out for something that seems out of the ordinary or something suspicious that can be a potential threat or problem to people around them.

Did somebody leave a bag behind? Who would do that where it could be snatched up and taken? Surely no one sane would leave something containing valuables behind, much less forget it, right? How long has it been there? There are a lot of people on this terminal...

This guy has been sitting there all night and hasn't moved since I have been here. Is he okay? Is he waiting for someone?

Things like that. It is also an uncomfortable situation because now you are the one pointing it out and taking responsibility over someone else. Then again, you could be doing a favor and keeping others safe from something potentially bad. Better you say something over someone ignoring itnor blissfully unaware.

Pyrofox · Answer

Comes off as a lazy effing excuse for cops to justify their abuse of power. By saying consistently and classically. I suspected the person of wrongdoing based on my experience. BS. When it's very clear the cop or sheriff never once actually is or was apart of the community they claim to protect. It's lazy, unethical and just pathetic how many cops, sheriff's and just general people who have societal power positions are culturally blind and or ignorant and then assume they should get others to do their job for them. Despite never earning said respect. It's like they never grasp most minority communities let the drug issues and trafficking happen cause the fear of police and getting shot out weighs the actual crimes.

Its like bruh if I'm gonna get shot by gangs for tatling and there is a chance I'm also gonna get shot by a cop or sheriff it's just best to stay quiet. So I can live at the very effing least.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

It means we’re paying taxes into a useless system so law enforcement can expect us to do their jobs for them. We’re literally paying them to leave us to do their job for them.
It means they want us to do their profiling for them so when they arrest someone for the color of their skin or the language they speak or their accent even if they speak English, then they can say “You match the description” instead of what they really mean, “You’re one of THEM!”.
It means they’re not happy with the extent to which citizens are already alienating and snitching on each other. They won’t be happy until they can unlawfully detain every potential political threat in the country.
It means we’re screwed. Ell oh ell!

BeMuse · Answer

It means you live in a dystopian world where the state controls every aspect of citizens’ lives and it’s hard to be a good person since your job is to spy on people…

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

It ranges between anti social behaviour and unattended bags or packages

abc3643 · Answer

That has to do with terrorism. If you see activity that you deem as odd or suspect and that could possibly lead to a terrorist attack, then alert the authorities ASAP so they can act accordingly.

mobiusforniner · Answer

If something is off, do something about it.

To quote clint eastwood from dirty harry, "If a naked man is chasing a woman down a dark alley with a butchers knife, chances are he is not working for the red cross..."

Anonymous · Answer

Seems like some Orwellian stuff. Depending on how you interpret it. For example it could mean, if you see someone getting hurt, report it, say something.. Of course it could also mean, if you see your neighbor talking about something they shouldn't, report them. The first situation is good, and should be done, the second, is not.

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

It's pretty self-explanatory. If you see something suspicious, especially in areas where there are usually large groups of people (such as commuting and mass transit hubs), alert the authorities.

NathanDavis · Answer

it means that a lot of people in that area are not willing to report some crimes, because those authorities will probably do nothing much about it

jshm2 · Answer

Basically means if you see someone jailbait like you, then report it before you do something stupid.

wheresmrcunnunglis · Answer

if you see someone getting mistreated then speak the hell up so that good karma can come back to you is what it means to me.

JDBSLAOQ · Answer

if u see a cow u say cow ok im sorry. it just means to report a crime/misdemeanor even if you're not involved

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I think it means to report violent acts against women or racial minorities or children to the police to protect the public from danger.

NewsReader · Answer

To me it means that they want me to spread the word if I see something suspicious. Something that could pose a threat. I've done it.

Guy13 · Answer

If there is any illegal criminal activity then say something to police is what that means to me? What is it there for, please?

Crafteroon · Answer

If you see something that you feel requires attention, bring attention to it. Behavior, misplaced objects, etc.

Massageman · Answer

It's a slogan used in the law enforcement/general population interface. If a member of the public sees something suspicious going on, they should report it to local law enforcement.

OddBeMe · Answer

Kitty genovese human conditioning. Police dont mind us calling shit in, even if we think its BS or time wasting. I passed a wreck (opposite side of hwy) where someone looked hard of breathing. He was prob alright but I called it in.

Rangers · Answer

If you see a liberal, make sure law enforcement is notified and keeps an eye on them since they're so prone to criminal behavior

AviatorTom · Answer

If you see something that doesn't look right, tell the nearest person in authority.

Sixgunsound · Answer

Government wants citizens to fear and turn against each other in a soviet style police state.

vald9inches · Answer

Its just a fascist way to get the population to spy against themselves and turn people against themselves

KatherineJ · Answer

It means if you see something out of the ordinary you should report it to the police

Jamie05rhs · Answer

It means don't brush something off and assume it's nothing. Because it might be something. And people could die if you don't speak up.

Clyde_123 · Answer

If you see someone being abused do something to help them. Its like saying do an action to prevent something or to help someone from harm.

loveslongnails · Answer

Refers to suspicious behavior, or irrational actions.

Wise4myage · Answer

Not being afraid to report a crime, or suspicious looking character.

Texaskid1 · Answer

If you see a purple dinosaur say the word "something"

KrakenAttackin · Answer

This phrase came into being right after 9/11/2001. The idea was for people to not fear reporting suspicious packages, bags, behavior, etc.

Anonymous · Answer

These signs began in New York City after 9/11.

Anonymous · Answer

It means that someone needed to come up with a sign to justify their jobs.

JohnK123 · Answer

If u see something bad u say it to someone to get help

Sparkie460 · Answer

If you see something suspicious, tell the authorities.

Surely · Answer

Used to be called a tattletale! Democrats way to have your neighbors spy on you.

krin_m · Answer

If you spot a danger that you evaluate to be serious, alert other people and authorities if possible.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

It really depends on what these signs want me to be looking out for.

007kingifrit · Answer

be suspicious of outsiders, report on strange behavior

TallAnon · Answer

Someone does something he ain't supposed to do, say something about it.

Anonymous · Answer

It means like, hey you have little something on your shirt. I think it's pee pee.

Tornado92 · Answer

Ever heard of SNITCHES GET STITCHES? I BET U GET PUNCH IN THE RAVE BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL 😆😆😆😆😆😆

exitseven · Answer

Watch out for liberals.

Agape93 · Answer

Just another empty slogan

Andres77 · Answer

If you see something suspicious, report it

humanearth · Answer

Means your a snitch

bolverk · Answer

Not damn thing - It has no context.

msc545 · Answer

Don't be a snitch

NNWSSEnew · Answer

Little white lies matter black lives don't matter.

Jupiter1 · Answer

Report the crime you witnessed.

Juxtapose · Answer

Be a filthy snitch xD

pizzalovershouse · Answer

Usely about theift

Anonymous · Answer

Go around saying "something"

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

Kind of sounds like a bullying thing

gayeki · Answer

It means don’t hesitate to report sth bad…

Twalli · Answer

Don't let bad or dangerous things happen.

Waldoe · Answer

don't ignore bad or criminal behavior

Smegskull · Answer

Someone hired a cheap PR team.

BLP11520 · Answer

It could be bad or good. Rat on your neighbors?

Jouth · Answer

Tell your homies when you see funny shit.

boldlyblu · Answer

Tell, tell, tell

What does the phrase “If you see something, say something” mean to you?

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