Another SART Mugging on 1/30, 7:15pm

[longbeachgary]

So now Im labeled Bronson all because Im not a *****cat? Grow some balls. Glad none of you are enlisted to fight for this country. I might be on the other end of the spectrum granted, but that has alot to do growing up in the south bay with 5 brothers (including a twin) and no mom. School of hard knocks, all of us beating the **** out of eachother- but hey, whats all this scaredness of having a gun, how they hell do they know I don't pack one? food for though for ya. you think laying on the ground won;t get you shot if thats what they are going to do? I ain;t getting shot laying down, Ill take mine in the chest fighting.

And for the record, the last two bastards I took out a few years back jumped me and then cried and called the cops when I shove ones head up the others ass- you always go after the big guy, then get readyt with an elbow or a knee kick to the next punk

Dude, I think I'm gonna ride with you from now-on.

[Gabbo]

So two violent attacks in less than seven days with basically the same MO. Hopefully the Santa Ana police are noticing the same trend develop.

[calamarichris]

Sorry for duplicating this suggestion here, but consider our sensible options and real solutions:
1) Report every incident to the police, so they are aware.
2) Avoiding the area when alone, or grouping up with other riders before passing through that zone.
3) Have your cellphones/cameras ready.

You'll never have to wait long at a safe spot on SART before another rider, or group of riders comes along. And instead of all this talk of kicking ass, baseball bats, and using this as an excuse to kick off a SART arms-race, all we really have to do is stick together and have our cellphone-cameras ready. If one of us gets knocked down, the others stop and get photos and be ready to book when they try to get your cameraphone evidence.
Digital photos are more powerful than baseball bats or pepper spray. Once you've got someone's pic or mpeg doing something like this, his game is over; bad guy neutralized. And you don't need a CCW to carry a camera or phone.
What about stenciling something on the bike path?:
"Caution:
Mugging Area Ahead!
Do Not Ride Alone!"

Any other real solutions that don't involve escalation and eventually one of us ending up shot in the head?

[mjsocal]

What about stenciling something on the bike path?:
"Caution:
Mugging Area Ahead!
Do Not Ride Alone!"

Any other real solutions that don't involve escalation and eventually one of us ending up shot in the head?

This is a good idea because it can't easily be taken down like the signs have been taken down, however, it could be painted over during the night.

I think it's possible that the PD will get involved if it escalates and enough attention is drawn to it, particularly if the victims are not from the area. They could get pressure from other jurisdictions.

[calamarichris]

Another one:

Everyone (even if you don't ride SSRT):

Take a series of pictures of your bike RIGHT NOW including all distinguishing chips, nicks, dents, and lot #'s on your bottom bracket.
Pictures are a lot more easy to memorize than bike descriptions.

Also, write on several slips of paper: THIS BIKE IS STOLEN. PROPERTY OF (YOUR NICKNAME) PLEASE CALL: 949-123-4567

Put one of these notes in your seat-tube, under your seat, and another one in your saddlebag, folded up with your tubes & levers.

I hope none of us every has to endure what MJClark and Notabikedork did, but if we do, at least we can contribute toward being the last and putting these losers in the house of waiting and cellmate love.

[LaurettaFetta]

The cell phone camera thing is a good idea in theory, but it takes FOREVER for a cell phone camera to load up (have you seen how slow my phone is?). Plus, with all the hype going on, it would be really hard to get a good shot. And they might just take the phone anyway...probably would. It would be great, but really hard to execute.

I think the "This bike is stolen" stuff would be a good idea. But, there is a good chance they would rummage through the saddlebag and clear that out.

Thugs, man. Effing messed. Pisses me off.

[MTB_dave]

Sorry for duplicating this suggestion here, but consider our sensible options and real solutions:

What about stenciling something on the bike path?:
"Caution:
Mugging Area Ahead!
Do Not Ride Alone!"

Any other real solutions that don't involve escalation and eventually one of us ending up shot in the head?

Add to the stencil "REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO SAPD 714-245-8665"

Lets do it!

[weshigh]

Another one:

Everyone (even if you don't ride SSRT):

Take a series of pictures of your bike RIGHT NOW including all distinguishing chips, nicks, dents, and lot #'s on your bottom bracket.
Pictures are a lot more easy to memorize than bike descriptions.

Also, write on several slips of paper: THIS BIKE IS STOLEN. PROPERTY OF (YOUR NICKNAME) PLEASE CALL: 949-123-4567

Put one of these notes in your seat-tube, under your seat, and another one in your saddlebag, folded up with your tubes & levers.

I hope none of us every has to endure what MJClark and Notabikedork did, but if we do, at least we can contribute toward being the last and putting these losers in the house of waiting and cellmate love.

949-123-4567 is a floral shop in Irvine. Are they the secret bike clearing house?

[toobspunk]

see other thread for updated info

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13828129

[CB HI]

Sorry for duplicating this suggestion here, but consider our sensible options and real solutions:
1) Report every incident to the police, so they are aware.
2) Avoiding the area when alone, or grouping up with other riders before passing through that zone.
3) Have your cellphones/cameras ready.

...have our cellphone-cameras ready. If one of us gets knocked down, the others stop and get photos and be ready to book when they try to get your cameraphone evidence.

Amazing that you really believe it is easier to stop and take focused pictures of the bad guys than it is to just shot their ass.

[sakeed123]

I rode up to the bridge and back down to Segerstorm were my buddies shop is twice the early evening. just you typical traffic with a few younger punks here and there.

You can add 867-5309 for Jenny I got your number (old school joke)

[zimbozim]

I just rode on the trail yesterday, 5/15/2012.
It was my first commute to/from work.
I read the forum at work yesterday after a buddy at work alerted me to be careful.
I realized my ride on the SART is exactly through the Santa Ana gang zone
Looking around yesterday, as I was approaching the 5'th Street underpass going north, I saw an old bike high up the ramp and did see what looked like a gangster crawl out from behind one of the bridge supporting pillars. I realized all the stuff talked about here and the events are real.
I tried grouping with other bikers but over a long stretch is not always easy, some go faster, others slower.
It's so easy for muggings to happen. Thank God it didn't happen to me.
sakeed123, next time you're there, stop by the 5'th street underpass, get off the bike, climb up the embankment and see if there's anybody hiding/hanging out there. I surely won't do that, but if you have the guts.
Wow, I can't believe there aren't police officers on bikes patroling the area.
I'm not sure I want to ride to work anymore....

[TrojanHorse]

I'm not sure I want to ride to work anymore....

Well, you can die standing still in your own back yard. Drown in a pool, get hit by a car, meteorite land on your head...

I'd suggest keeping your wits about you while you ride through that part of SART but don't let the bums win!

[rooftest]

I saw an old bike high up the ramp and did see what looked like a gangster crawl out from behind one of the bridge supporting pillars..

Sounds to me like you've confused "gangster" with "homeless guy."

[Jan Feetz]

Wow, I can't believe there aren't police officers on bikes patroling the area.
I'm not sure I want to ride to work anymore....

If this is truly going to keep you from riding the SART, perhaps find an alternate route on the street were the police are, you probably wont get mugged, but IMO, the chances of you getting clipped by a car while riding on the street, is greater than getting mugged by a criminal on the SART. View a SART mugging just like any other hazard one may come across while cycling:
Glass
Pot hole
Crazy Driver(s)
Crazy unleashed Dog
Crazy cyclist
etc.
Dont worry! Just ride safe and keep alert.