Tough question. The problem as I see it is the authorities would not be likely to tell you anything if you’re not “an involved party.” If you push it, you might be wearing handcuffs next. Escalating the situation would not be of benefit to anyone. The arresting officers, once there’s been an arrest, don’t have the power to un-arrest. That’s for the courts and/or the district attorney.

Telling your neighbor, “Call me if I can help!” might be a genuine comfort to both of you. Make sure any other family members have support - the basics, like food and rent. Maybe a go fund me page.

I’m 73 and would not be much concerned for myself. I’m already past the three score and ten point of 70 as a life expectancy.

And never doubt you’ll go on some list somewhere. That’s always been how it works.

That's a difficult question. Here I have quite high confidence that the authorities would only take such drastic action if the situation warranted it. The usual rule here is that even arrests are generally undertaken in a cooperative manner and not as unexpected events. On the other hand I imagine that I would worry that this particular event was an exception and perhaps I would try to find out what was going on.

It's all a bit hypothetical, thank goodness, I've never been in that situation.

Here's an illustration of how things work here: the leader of a large Bandidos (like Hell's Angels) chapter (or whatever it's called) used to live in the village. He was arrested without any drama, found guilty of something serious and sentenced to prison. But there was no space in prison so he was told to go home and wait for a letter calling him in. Which he did. The police didn't need to collect him, he turned up when called in.

At least that's how it was described to me.

It's a difficult one because, as you say, it could mean being questioned yourself, but knowing me, I probably wouldn't think twice about asking if they needed help. If they are not guilty of anything, I would want to help. If they are guilty of a minor offence, I'd still want to help as I hope others would help me. If they are some kind of very serious offenders or undercover spies, then I would be questioned anyway along with all the neighbours as would be standard procedure, so offering help or ignoring them won't make any difference.

It's weird you mention this.
This happened to my neighbour this weekend.
He didn't hurt anyone, but he had a breakdown.

And yeah, I got involved.
He's my friend. I will be there for him.

I would go out there and check on them. Just this morning i was about to pull out of my driveway to head to work and a fire truck blocked me in it was about 530 am still dark out, my husband was walking me to my car so i said uh oh someone called an ambulance the fire truck usually shows up 1st. So they hopped off the truck and asked us are we the ones who called? We said no, hubby asked which address they were looking for, they told him and he pointed them 2 houses down. I went right over there, its an elderly lady we always speak, shes a new neighbor i asked if i could call someone or lock up the house for her or anything. Theres a lockbox on the side of my house where i leave money for the yard workers. I waited until she was loaded up and they pulled away i locked up left a note on the door telling her she can retrieve the key from me with address, my name and number,so If im not home call me and i will leave it in the lockbox and give her a code to retrieve it. I also said if she needed a ride from the hospital my husband and i would make sge that she gets back home.

We have only one house of neighbours and they are lovely people. We water the gardens, turn the lights on and off, and open the curtains, etc, for each other when we go away. We totally trust each other. I think I'd pretend not to see as they'd be highly embarrassed and I'm sure they would be released without charge. .

I'd be torn about going out there or not, for the reason meggie mentioned. It might add to the humiliation my neighbors would almost surely be feeling, seeing people watching.

I'm pretty sure I'd try to get word to them, though, that I'd be willing to try and help...within reason.

I asked what happened to my next door neighbor last year. I found out that he was dead. I asked about this same neighbor before he got kicked out. And defended him to no avail.

When I found out about his death I reported it to the veterans administration. They came to check on my well-being, yet did nothing for my neighbor. Not even for funeral services nor to inform his friends or relatives.

FYI he was a USA veteran from the USA army. And he happened to be black.

I believe you know about the post back then

If I was friendly with them, I’d probably ask what’s happening and if there was anyone they’d like me to contact.

Gotta admit though, beyond that, asking the question, “how can I help?” would make me a little nervous as I wouldn’t know what level of involvement that could entail.

Define the level of getting involved. Asking of the family to check if they are in need of anything is okay, but there is a fine line between checking on welfare and interfering. The authorities are under no obligation to talk with you and if you get strident in asserting that they do you will find yourself in handcuffs as well.

It is good to pay attention and check on their wellbeing but don't put yourself in the position of interfering with an arrest. Once someone is in handcuffs and on the way to jail there is nothing you can do to avoid the justice system from running its course.

Depends on the degree of interactions we had, after a time I usually get a sense, what type of person someone is. If I had a good interaction history, I would probably ask how I can help them. Not all(100%) people taken away by authorities are offender.

If I knew them well and trusted them and I knew I wouldn't appear like a threat I would go out and inquire. (I live in the sticks so I'm afraid if I went walking through the woods at night up on the cops I'd cause some alarm.) But I definitely would figure out what is going on when possible.

Don’t think I’d go out and ask what’s going on but I would definitely call a family member and see if I could offer any help without being nosey

I'd be out there quick as I could. My goal would be, as you suggested, to see if there was someone I could call for them.

And, given what I have seen and heard about law enforcement lately, I would have my phone sticking out of my pocket recording audio and video. 🤷‍♀

I would check. I'd want them to check on me if we're as close as you say.

It would depend on the neighbour, some here are friends and i would make sure they are ok.

If it was my next door though.... i'd throw a party

If they're being treated fairly, I'd ask if they need me to call anyone.

If I am friends with them I would check on them.

I would ask if everything was ok and if they needed help and offer what I could

I would absolutely check on them.

If I was close I'd try and help

I would get involved and ask questions. I am going to be questioned anyway, no matter what.

I would ask if they need help.

I'd ask

I'd without a doubt go out and check on them

Let's just say thank God I'm not American because I'd probably be in jail for assaulting ICE officers.

I'd be there in a flash.