Maia, a New Yorker, says a stranger chased and threatened her in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, repeatedly yelling "Give me the bear" during the encounter. She described the man as a Black male about 5'8" in a white hoodie and tunnel-neck mask and says she ran to a building where a guard let her inside. Maia was angered when the guard later called the suspect "harmless"; she has filed a police report. The video has sparked discussion about women's safety and de-escalation tactics.
‘Give Me the Bear’: New Yorker Says Stranger Chased and Threatened Her — Guard Called Him “Harmless”
(Featured Images: Caleb Oquendo, maiashaki, Ryan Morris)
Maia (@maiashaki), a New York City resident, says she was chased and threatened by a stranger while walking through Fort Greene, Brooklyn. In a TikTok video recounting the incident, she described the man repeatedly shouting, "Give me the bear," and said the encounter convinced her she would rather face a bear than be alone with a man who behaves that way.
The encounter: Maia told viewers she noticed the man approaching and that he stopped about six feet in front of her. She described his clothing as a white hoodie and a tunnel-neck mask and estimated his appearance as a Black man about 5'8" and roughly 154 lbs. Fearing escalation, she said she avoided a confrontational look and began searching her bag for a personal alarm.
When she feigned a change of direction toward a nearby gated island, Maia says the man walked around to confront her and began threatening to catch and punch her. The pair allegedly chased each other in circles as she tried to get away; she noted she was wearing sandals and struggled to run in them. Throughout, she said he screamed profanities and repeated the phrase, "Give me the bear."
Seeking help: Maia ran to a building where a security guard saw her distress and ushered her inside. She says the guard tried to calm her, but later told her he often sees the man near the building and considers him "harmless." Maia expressed frustration that her fear and the threatening behavior were minimized.
"What part of that terrorizing was harmless?" Maia asked in her video, emphasizing that women often comply or try to de-escalate situations out of fear, not agreement.
Aftermath: Maia told viewers she has filed a police report. The incident has been shared widely on social media amid broader online discussions about women's safety and the viral "man vs. bear" thought experiment.
Note: Details in this account are based on Maia's TikTok video and her statements; the man involved is described as alleged and the report reflects her perspective. Authorities were notified according to Maia.
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