Question:

Was anyone ever caught?

Comments:

I thought that acknowledging people disuades people from attacking you ... just something from a community class.

I grew up as the white guy in Hollis, Queens (remember Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC?). Confronting a group of people there will get you killed. Although if you are attacked and unable to get away, you should certainly defend yourself with whatever means are available. I doubt that serious charges could be filed against you.

In DC, there were somewhat similar occurances along some of the North-South commuting routes. However, in these cases, some kids threw rocks or something of the sort at cyclists passing by. They did not proceed to run over and beat the cyclists up.