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Phoenix JonesAmerican, leader of a community group of ten street crime prevention activists
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Phoenix Jones
- The Birth of a Superhero
- Motivated by Personal Experiences
- A Defender of Justice
- Incidents and Actions
- Controversies and Recognition
Biography of Phoenix Jones
Phoenix Jones, whose real name is Benjamin John Francis Fodor, was born in 1988. He is an American leader of a public group of ten activists called the 'Rain City Superhero Movement', which operates in Seattle and Lynnwood, Washington. Despite being labeled as vigilantes by the press, Phoenix protests against such characterization.
The Birth of a Superhero
Previously, Phoenix would wear a ski mask during his actions, but later he developed a full superhero costume and took on a pseudonym. He believes that wearing a superhero costume is the best way to avoid being mistaken for a criminal by the police. However, local authorities disagree, as they believe superhero costumes can lead to an increase in calls from concerned citizens who mistake them for criminals. Phoenix claims that all members of the 'Rain City Superhero Movement' have military experience or expertise in mixed martial arts. He also advises against ordinary people dressing up in a similar manner to fight crime.
Motivated by Personal Experiences
Several incidents that changed his opinion of Seattle led Phoenix to take matters into his own hands. One such incident occurred when his car was broken into, and his young son was injured by the broken glass. Despite several witnesses, no one intervened. The car window was shattered by a rock wrapped in a ski mask that Phoenix kept in the glove compartment. Later, he and a friend were seriously injured outside a bar when they were attacked by a group of aggressive individuals, with around seventy people nearby who did not offer any help. These experiences made Phoenix question why he shouldn't wear a ski mask and assist the police, especially when they were slow to respond to calls.
A Defender of Justice
When his independent fight against crime made him too recognizable, Phoenix created a pseudonym and developed a special costume. CBS News once showed footage of Phoenix transforming into a "superhero" in the back room of an unknown comic book store, donning a Dragon Skin bulletproof vest and arming himself with a baton, pepper spray or tear gas, handcuffs, and a first aid kit.
Incidents and Actions
Several incidents involving Phoenix and his team have been documented. On January 2, 2011, in Lynnwood, Phoenix stopped and chased away a car thief while the bewildered car owner stood idly. A few days later, the car owner and Phoenix met in a news program studio, and Dan thanked Phoenix multiple times. Shortly after, ABC News aired a segment in which Phoenix prevented a drunk driver from getting behind the wheel, threatening to use his baton when the aggressive intoxicated man attempted to fight him. On September 24, 2011, in Seattle, Phoenix used pepper spray against a bus thief who tried to steal the bus while the driver was distributing flyers. The failed thief fled with an orange face after being sprayed. The police responded to the incident an hour later, so Phoenix received no assistance.
Controversies and Recognition
On October 9, 2011, Phoenix was arrested for involvement in a noisy altercation outside a nightclub, where he once again used pepper spray. He was released on bail a few hours later without any charges filed against him. Just a few hours before this incident, Phoenix saved a man from being beaten up, but the attackers fled before the police arrived. The rescued man praised Phoenix as a hero and expressed his gratitude. On November 27, 2011, in Seattle, Phoenix and his team pursued a perpetrator who had stabbed his victim. This time, they managed to hand the criminal over to the police. On January 6, 2012, Phoenix and his team broke up a fight in the same area. However, in the process of intervening in a drug dealer's business, Phoenix claimed he was stabbed. He sustained no serious injuries, but his costume needed repairs. He also told the police that his bulletproof vest had once saved his life by stopping a bullet. In 2011, ten citizens were listed by the police as part of the "Rain City Superhero Movement." They all had superhero-like pseudonyms such as Thorn, Green Reaper, Red Dragon, No Name, and Catastrophe, among others. Phoenix's wife is also involved in her husband's movement and goes by the name Purple Reign. Phoenix has a complicated relationship with local law enforcement, and the city prosecutor refers to him as a "deeply misguided individual."
