Sexual deviants may want to think twice before doing anything suspicious at Benefit Park in Seattle. Jesse Brisbin, who is 30 and has been convicted twice of molesting children, recently got himself into A LOT of hot water -- with complete strangers -- after he tried to kidnap a 6-year-old girlwho was playing at the park with her siblings and father. Brisbin approached the child and asked her to leave with him. The smart cookie told him 'no,' and even though she resisted, he reportedly grabbed her by the hand and tried to drag her out of the crowded park.
The girl was able to break free from his hold and ran back to her family. And don't worry -- Brisbin didn't get away with what he did -- not by a long shot. Instead, the girl's father, along with 20 or so total strangers, chased the jerk down, tackled him to the ground, and beat him up.
Then dad actually pulled out Brisbin's cell phone and MADE HIM CALL 911 to confess to what he had done.
Holy cow.
I'm not advocating giving a guy a beating on the street, because we all know you simply can't do that. For better or worse, there are laws that protect everyone, including creeps who allegedly attempt to hurt our kids. With that said, I would be lying if I told you I wouldn't do the same exact thing this dad and these strangers did to Brisbin. He deserves a fair trial, and will get one now that he has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping. But, boy, if I see you trying to lure my little girl out of a park, my reaction is going to be identical to the one expressed by these people in this horrifying situation.
I have to admit it's also encouraging to learn that others are willing to step in and help you out when it comes to the safety of your children. Most people are good -- and we shouldn't let a few bad eggs spoil everything.
Here's the perplexing part of all of this (I mean, aside from the astonishing fact that Brisbin reportedly tried to kidnap a child in front of her father): this man was convicted of kidnapping, criminal sexual contact, and child endangerment in 1999. Then, AGAIN, he was convicted of indecent exposure and improper communication with a minor in 2009. This man didn't deserve to be kept in prison forever, but wasn't there anything that could have been done to ensure this didn't happen again?
Do you think the dad and strangers in the park should face a consequence for beating up Brisbin instead of just calling the police and letting them handle it?
Image via Moyan Brenn/Flickr