l-low many “good Samaritans” ‘ can you think of who tried to do a t good turn but had the effort 5 backfire when they became vic- l tims of a vicious crime? ‘ This happens all too frequently ‘ these days. In fact, it’s getting so I many people dare not follow their I impulse to befriend a person, pick’ up a hitch-hiker on the road, or place undue trust in any stranger. Just recently a citizen from Arizona who was in the process of moving to Provo received a rude awakening when he stopped to render assistance to a man lying in the road near Provo. Another man at the scene was waving his arms to “flag down” the motorist. But when the “good Samaritan” stopped and got out of his car, the man with the flailing arms pulled a gun and demanded his money, After the new resident complied, the arm waver and the man who’d pretended to need help began ‘ aughing and ran across the fields. They haven’t been apprehended yet. This apparently was the second time such an incident had happened in the Provo area recently. There have been other cases of people getting “slickered” as a reward for their kindness in offering assistnace. Hitch-hikers who have stolen from and even murdered benefactors have deteriorated motorist confidence in the old-fashioned habit of giving a person on foot a “lift.” How often have you heard people say in recent years: “I used to like giving people a ride but l’m afraid to any more”? On rare occasions somebody tums the tables on alrecmient turned-attacker. This happened in illinois the other day when a family, through the courage of the mother, subdued an escaped prisoner. The felon was stalled (in a stolen car) on the road and the “good Samaritan” family sto ped to give aid. The escapee pullled a gun, forced the family to drive him to a Bloomington motel. There, when he sought to sexually molest a 5-year-old daughter, the mother attacked him with a lamp, resulting in his capture and hospitalization. Doing a “good turn” performing a gentle deed in behalf of one in distress or need offering someone a ”favor” out of “goodness of heart” – these are acts to be admired and appreciated, The world is better for kind-hearted people who do these things. Yet – and this is a sad commentary on certain people within our civilization – it appears the “good Samaritans” must condition themselves on being exceedingly careful and discreet when dealing with strangers lest their good intentions turn to tragedy. Because of the acts of those who would cheat, rob, or otherwise “return evil, for good,” a great many people are being penalized givers as well as receivers.