I know it's a engineering-y way to look at things, but if you really want to make a difference in some lives, you could volunteer at a shelter of some sort, it would make more of a difference to more people than what you'd be able to do focusing on just one family.
Mostly, though, your ability to do anything to affect this situation is SEVERELY limited by the fact that you are, functionally, a stranger. If they were family or even just neighbors or co-workers, you might have some useful social leverage, but as a stranger, the only thing you can really do is poke your head in and say 'Hey, be nice to your kids!'.
That is a tricky situation. You could call protective child services, and describe what you experienced. If there is a history of abuse, verbal or otherwise, you could be doing the perfect thing. However, if the fight were a random occurrence, and CPS takes the kids away, it could be a nightmare of red tape and misery for the family.
By calling 911, you have created a bit of a paper trail, so hopefully, if it happens again, there will be some history.
I would suggest keeping an eye out, and if you see the same thing occur with them, then definitely call, but I think you need to go with your gut instincts.
I work in this field, and I would suggest calling. Were you a mandated reporter such as a teacher or doctor walking home from the gym, you'd probably be legally obligated to call. If there isn't a problem, CPS will figure it out. If there is a problem, CPS can connect them to the services they need. CPS is usually notoriously lazy so they are more likely to say "freak occurrence, case closed" than upend the lives of the innocent. The odds of them taking the kids away right off the back are really slim unless there is something seriously bad going on.
This is the kind of thing that should not happen even once.
I was once in that horrible position of being a teacher where abuse was brought to my attention. I had to report it, and go through all that. It was a nightmare for everyone involved. I'm glad that you have the professional position to reply to notjenschiz's post.
Because notjenschiz is not a mandated reporter, he is able to report anonymously and I do not believe there is any follow up involved. I dunno. At what point do you stop trusting th system?
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Mostly, though, your ability to do anything to affect this situation is SEVERELY limited by the fact that you are, functionally, a stranger. If they were family or even just neighbors or co-workers, you might have some useful social leverage, but as a stranger, the only thing you can really do is poke your head in and say 'Hey, be nice to your kids!'.
Best of luck.
-Noel
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By calling 911, you have created a bit of a paper trail, so hopefully, if it happens again, there will be some history.
I would suggest keeping an eye out, and if you see the same thing occur with them, then definitely call, but I think you need to go with your gut instincts.
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This is the kind of thing that should not happen even once.
My two cents.
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