CT Police Investigate Street Robbery Video, Call Out Bystanders for Inaction

Do you have a panic attack if you can't find your cellphone? Do you agree that your cell phone is your most coveted possession next to your loved one(s)? There are approximately 7.21 billion smartphone users worldwide, with China, India, and the United States leading the way.  My next question is, "Do you think you're addicted to your phone?"

I'll be honest: I am addicted to my laptop. I want to make a point based on an article I read on March 1st in the Danbury Daily Voice. The article discussed a robbery outside "The Spot," a popular bar and restaurant in Ansonia, Connecticut. A man reported being involved in a minor car accident outside the restaurant. The woman involved in the crash became aggressive, berated him, and then ran off with his wallet and phone.

Instead of stepping in to help the man struggling on the sidewalk, the bystanders gathered to watch the scene unfold. Crowds formed, their faces lit by the glow of their smartphones as they recorded the incident, seemingly oblivious to the situation's urgency. The man appeared distressed, calling out for assistance, yet the onlookers focused on capturing the moment for social media, prioritizing likes and shares over human compassion.

As a video of the robbery swept across social media, it caught the attention of Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams who stated:

“We are also aware of the social media video of this incident that is circulating. We would encourage people to stop sharing this video which revictimizes the victim in this case and sensationalizes the ridiculous actions of those involved,”

According to backlinko.com, Time spent using smartphones among American adults grew from 3 hours 38 minutes in 2021 to 4 hours 2 minutes in 2025. Indonesia takes first place for daily time spent on smartphones at 6:05 hours, which was in 2023!! I admit to shooting videos on my iPhone, but mostly, they're cute videos of my grandkids.