Jordan just got back from the SFPD. The guy taking the report quickly realized that he knew the guy who did this, and that, he was indeed, a cop. The guy took Jordan very seriously, and took a detailed report. He apologized profusely to Jordan, and when Jordan asked if this guy had a previously record of this kind of crap, the cop told him that he pretty much did. The dispatched that took my call also recognized the incident and included my call in the report.
Then the LT. came out and made Jordan tell him the whole story. Apparently he tried to intimidate Jordan into changing his story. When Jordan wouldn't back down, the LT. said that the charge is attempted assault with a deadly weapon. This guy is gonna get some serious **** for this.
White Ford Explorer
plate no. 3nwj435
His name is Ron
Be careful if you see this guy, please. He has serious issues.
Right now the SFPD is reeling from public reports of incidents like this. Pushing this hard will likely get some results.
sbhikes
06-20-05, 08:02 PM
If they had no lights perhaps they will get tickets for it, but that doesn't negate what the cop did to them, which was a crime. Hey may lose his job, and sounds like he deserves to.
anders
06-20-05, 08:37 PM
Sorry about that- I can understand that you're pretty upset about the incident. I was probably overreacting to Ander's knee-jerk reaction and confusing justice with reality, and I wasn't meaning to insult your intelligence.
Still, I think you're overestimating the effectiveness of street lights. But I'll leave this argument for another day.
It wasn't a knee jerk reaction on my part. If anything, I think it was a knee jerk reaction on your part to bring it up in the first place. The fact that they did not have lights has nothing to do with what the cop did and if anyone brings it up during the investigation they should be asked what it has to do with the crime that the cop committed.
If I am driving down a road in my car and I am not wearing my seatbelt and an angry cop comes along side me and attempts to swerve into me to knock me off the road, would anyone in their right mind say that they are probably going to bring up the fact that I was not wearing my seatbelt during the investigation of why the cop tried to knock me off the road.
That is probably a run-on sentence, but I think it makes sense.
ryan_c
06-20-05, 09:11 PM
Sounds like a drunk to me. Too bad nobody was there to apply the breathalyzer.
Too bad nobody applied a u-lock to his face
:D
steaktaco
06-20-05, 09:56 PM
Too bad nobody applied a u-lock to his face
:D
I would've waited for him to finish is SUV payments, run out of warranty, then keyed his car.
Sasquatchula
06-20-05, 10:44 PM
That's an interesting idea. What would it be used for- would it hold any validity in a court?
Well, ultimately it would be great as valid in a court, but I was thinking more as a tool to show police/investigators of continuing, pattern behaviours by some drivers. However, I can't think of anyway that it would work, the honor system only goes so far. **sigh**
baj32161
06-20-05, 11:08 PM
Well lit streets or not, cyclists can still be surprisingly hard to see without lights. Hell, sometimes they're hard enough to see _with_ lights unless they are of the huge and flashing variety, and I cycle more than drive so I do keep an eye out for cyclists.
Hmm... I'm not sure if there's some kind of law in the US that requires cyclists to mount lights at night. If there is, the cop/his defense might try to use it.
That aside, get some lights!
This is so true, and I may just get flamed for it. Here in NJ the law states that a bicycle MUST be equipped with head and tail lights, as well as reflectors when riding at night. Now, of course that does not excuse this idiot's behavior, but for your own sake and safety, please get some lights.
baj32161
06-20-05, 11:16 PM
Lack of lighting is no defense for his behavior. I find it ridiculous that you even mention this. He used his car as a weapon to harass the cyclists and he could have killed them. He should lose his job and go to jail.
Read this thread for another example of a cop behaving badly:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=104611
Well we only mention this because the cop is sure to bring up the fact that he said he could not see them....and you know he will conveniently leave out the part about yelling at them from behind. I am guilty of riding without lights from time to time (ie: around the corner to the drug store). Now, once again, nothing excuses this sort of behavior and he certainly deserves to lose his job, and be prosecuted. I also think the original poster handled himself very well and I hope all goes right for him and his friends.
I am glad that didn't happen to me here in NJ...the cops may have shot me anyway :D
Seanholio
06-21-05, 12:13 AM
Lack of lighting is no defense for his behavior. I find it ridiculous that you even mention this. He used his car as a weapon to harass the cyclists and he could have killed them. He should lose his job and go to jail.
When one considers the vast array of tricks used by defense lawyers to acquit people who have committed first-degree murder, it is not beyond belief that the officer's lawyer may attempt to use this as a justification. Attacking the victim in court is not unheard-of.
Yes, it is a ridiculous defense, but it is not ridiculous to mention, in this forum, the probability of it being used. I am righteously angered about the officer's actions, as I live close to San Francisco. I hope he gets jail time for his offense, and is relieved of duty without pension. I will not be attacking other members of this forum, though. I would choose to use my energies to create awareness by informing local papers, and phoning the Police Chief's office to complain about this kind of behavior.
Seanholio
06-21-05, 12:30 AM
Well, ultimately it would be great as valid in a court, but I was thinking more as a tool to show police/investigators of continuing, pattern behaviours by some drivers. However, I can't think of anyway that it would work, the honor system only goes so far. **sigh**
The Peninsula Bike and Ped Coalition (I think) has one at:
http://www.penbiped.org/incidentreport.html
It is for Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, but it can't hurt to put in San Francisco issues as well. Notifying the SFBC is a the better idea, since that organization is actually dedicated to San Francisco cyclists.
womble
06-21-05, 02:00 AM
That log is a brilliant idea. Seems to be lacking in publicity from the number of entries though. Do the bike shops actively promote it?
scarry
06-21-05, 09:57 AM
Report it to the San Francisco Bike Coalition.
For more information on traffic law and cyclists' rights, contact Joshua Hart, Program Director, at 415/431-BIKE x303. joshua@sfbike.org
http://www.sfbike.org/?bikelaw_guide
scarry
06-21-05, 10:11 AM
Jordan just got back from the SFPD. The guy taking the report quickly realized that he knew the guy who did this, and that, he was indeed, a cop. The guy took Jordan very seriously, and took a detailed report. He apologized profusely to Jordan, and when Jordan asked if this guy had a previously record of this kind of crap, the cop told him that he pretty much did. The dispatched that took my call also recognized the incident and included my call in the report.
Then the LT. came out and made Jordan tell him the whole story. Apparently he tried to intimidate Jordan into changing his story. When Jordan wouldn't back down, the LT. said that the charge is attempted assault with a deadly weapon. This guy is gonna get some serious **** for this.
White Ford Explorer
plate no. 3nwj435
His name is Ron
Be careful if you see this guy, please. He has serious issues.
Right on!
CB HI
06-21-05, 10:16 PM
Originally Posted by SasquatchulaA little OT, but have cyclists attemted to database info (vehicle make, model, tag number etc.)just as a repository that can be checked by other cyclists? I.E. someone in a brown Studebaker, tag # 1234567, tries running me off the road. I want to see if this guy has done this before, and enter said tag number. Now, I know there are a lot of holes and this could be abused, but just curious.
That's an interesting idea. What would it be used for- would it hold any validity in a court?
As mentioned, their are a couple of cities doing it. Mostly run by bicyclist. I have been thinking of how best to put one together for Honolulu run through the local bicycle league, but will probably not complete it until after I am retired and have way too much time on my hands.
I doubt a judge would allow it during a trial, but might allow it during sentencing.
I think the best use would be to get reports of repeat offenders corrilated. At the point of 3 reports, get the police to write a formal letter to the offender explaining the reports, the law and the possible jail time and monitary fines the driver could face.
Security could be provided by requiring the cyclist to provide a confirmable e-mail address and logging the IP address the complaint was send from. If the database manager gets 2 or more complaints on the same license # from the same IP address or e-mail, then further investigation could sort out the validity of the complaints.
lilHinault
06-22-05, 01:28 AM
Two Words: Internal Affairs, get them on it. Every dept has an internal affairs dept. Also, publicity, lots and lots and lots of publicity, make sure the press and TV etc all hear about it, from the biggest to the little weekly coffee shop paper, make sure everyone knows about it. Maybe that guy also did a hit and run on a few kids, you don't know right now what other crimes he's done and how many other people out there will come out of the woodwork to help you put him away.
karmical
06-23-05, 08:30 AM
dokushoka,
i would yank both original posts down, while emotionally filled, you kind of come across a little aggressive/arrogant..
but push it...swerving a car into a cyclist no matter what your intention is wrong...
and get paranoid.....
rs00
06-23-05, 07:07 PM
Some states have laws that allow stiffer sentences for crimes committed against cops. And conversely, laws should allow for stiffer sentences for crimes committed by cops. Cops should be held to a higher standard. They should set an example for others. A big part of their job is monitoring traffic and writing tickets for violations. Where I live they get paid very well, have great benefits and retire with nice pensions. They carry weapons and are granted powers that can be abused if not carefully supervised. When they do abuse their powers or commit crimes against the community that they themselves are being paid to prevent, they should face serious consequences.
anders
06-28-05, 08:34 PM
Does anyone have any update on the status of the investigation into this cop's criminal behavior?
Geoff326
06-28-05, 11:24 PM
i would love to see this cager just get totally owned by a group of no-nonsense cyclists. could u just imagine a buncha roadies whupping on this dude after he gets out of his car lol
dokushoka
06-29-05, 10:25 AM
Does anyone have any update on the status of the investigation into this cop's criminal behavior?
Investigations take time...
mlh122
07-01-05, 10:30 PM
I work with a girl that was being run off the road. but before she backed off she used her wedding ring diamond to make a nice long reminder on the vehicle.