HEARTS OF THE CITY: Where dilemmas are aired and unsung heroes and resiliency are celebrated. : A rotating panel of experts from the worlds of philosophy, psychology and religion offer their perspective on the dilemmas that come with living in Southern California.

Today’s question: As you hear cries of apparent distress from a distance you see a young man running fast through foot traffic in your general direction. Are there appropriate and reasonable responses for the well-meaning individual?

Donald E. Miller, Professor of religion at USC and co-author of the report “Politics of the Spirit: Religion and Multiethnicity in Los Angeles”

“If he appeared to be unarmed--and if he were my near-equal or smaller in physical size--I hope that I would attempt to tackle him, my assumption being that he had just victimized the person that I heard screaming. One of my fears, however, is that I would act alone, with no one coming to my assistance. We are all painfully aware of the reports of bystanders who observe a crime but refuse to intercede because they do not want to become involved. ‘Risk’ is a category that ethicists and clergy need to reinsert into our moral vocabulary if we are going to reclaim our neighborhoods from drug dealers and assume our responsibility for creating a just civil order.”

R. Patricia Walsh, Professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University

“Many times people have not received help when they needed it. Social psychologists have concluded that people have a bias toward not helping. Helping is risky. It can lead to negative consequences ranging from embarrassment to physical injury. People therefore want to convince themselves that: 1--there is no real emergency, 2--someone else nearby will help, and 3--they personally do not have the skills needed to help. Knowing of this bias, if I were in this situation, I would assume that: 1--there is a possible emergency, 2--no one else would help, and 3--I probably lack the ability to directly intervene. I would then quickly call 911.”

The Rev. Michael Mata, Director, Urban Leadership Institute, School of Theology at Claremont, and associate pastor, First Church of the Nazarene, Los Angeles

“Like a person trained in CPR, one must quickly ascertain who is in need of help, what kind of assistance is needed, if any, and whether to call 911. One cannot assume that the young man is connected at all to the cries of distress. He may certainly be escaping the commission of a crime, but he could be seeking help for himself and/or someone else. Calling out to him, “Are you OK?” in a voice expressing concern should elicit a reaction that would indicate whether he is seeking assistance or running away. Be vigilant about the young man’s behavior and that of others. We should always be prepared to respond prudently and not react unwisely.”

* Compiled by LARRY STAMMER, Times Religion Writer