Running around town dressed like you are on your way to the latest comic book convention with the intent to fight crime is ridiculous.
In the eyes of Seattle local Benjamin John Francis Fodor, more commonly known as the self-proclaimed superhero Phoenix Jones, this is a perfectly normal way to spend a Friday night.
Fodor is the leader of the Rain City Superhero Movement with other members such as Buster Doe, Catastrophe, Gemini, Green Reaper, No Name, Penelope, Red Dragon, Thorn and Thunder 88. This group of ten superheroes believes they are ridding Seattle of crime.
What is even more pathetic is that this is not just happening in Seattle. Adult men and women are pretending to be superheroes all across the country. Back in 2006, Mr. Xtreme founded the Xtreme Justice League in San Diego, Calif., with the intent to prevent violent crime with physical intervention.
In Rochester, Minn., Geist patrols the city and hands out food to the homeless. Master Legend in Winter Park, Fla., carries around a modified potato gun to fight crime. New York City even has its very own superhero. Terrifica protects vulnerable women in bars, clubs and on the streets after hours by distracting men with fortune cards and candy she carries around on her utility belt.
On the morning of Oct. 9, Seattle police arrested Fodor on suspicion of fourth-degree assault after being accused of spraying four people with pepper spray. After several hours in the King County Jail, Fodor posted $3,800 bail later that afternoon, according to the Seattle Times.
In the past year, Fodor has intervened in many attempted crimes. Back in January, KIRO TV reported that Fodor prevented grand theft auto by chasing away a man trying to break into a car. It was only a matter of time before police became fed up with this so-called superhero’s tactics.
If you claim you are a real life superhero, you are idiotic. What sane adult thinks acting like an adolescent fanboy will put an end to crime? Just because you know how to create a fancy costume using tights and a cape does not mean you have the ability to prevent evil or judge someone to be evil. Granted, these real life want-to-be superheroes have good intentions and not all of them go to the extent of Seattle’s Rain City Superhero Movement, but nonetheless the idea is completely absurd.
Civilians who are uneducated on the proper ways to deal with a crime in-progress should not be trying to replace the role of law enforcement. Dealing with aggravated criminals with no training is foolish. Not to mention all the risks associated with wearing a mask to hide your face when getting in the way of police trying to do their job. Last year, Seattle police reported to the Seattle PI that a man dressed in black and wearing a cape was almost shot by police when he came running out of an unlit park.
If you want to make a difference in your community, try joining the neighborhood watch. If the neighborhood watch is not enough satisfaction for you, then actually go through the proper training to serve and protect your community. Although, it is highly doubtful that the people hiding behind a mask would even qualify to be law enforcement.
So nerds, next time you think you have a brilliant solution to crime in your area, just stay at home and read your comic books everyone else stopped reading in the 1980s.
