Anyone Encounter LAPD at LACM/People's Ride?
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dudeonabike at 03.1.10 - 11:01 am
Curious what type of interactions, if any, there were bw cyclists and LAPD from last Friday's rides? I didn't see any heavy handed enforcement at all, but instead saw numerous LAPD cruisers that were, for the most part, just stopped and watching as the stream of riders went by. I did see one cyclist pulled over by the side of the road next to a cop car that may have been getting a citation--or just a talking to, but can't confirm anything more than that.
Why is this important now? Well, because LAPD Chief Beck has recently come out with a very pro-bike message--see his comments from last week's City Council Transpo Committee meeting where he actually referred to cycling as "not only a viable form of transportation, but an admirable one" and one that should be "encouraged," among all sorts of other very encouraging stuff. That kind of high-level LAPD support has never happened before, from what I'm told.
Was this just lip service? Has this seemingly top-down attitude made its way to the rank and file? Is there anything we, as cyclists, need to inform Chief Beck about his officers' actions on Friday?
He needs to know, and seems willing to listen, so throw out your experiences--good and/or bad.
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I did see one person get pulled over on the Peoples ride at the end ... not sure what he did but I'm assuming that he probably ran a light as people love to do ...
OsnapsonJC03.1.10 - 11:23 am
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Seeing as this chief and many other officers are most likely LDS, I'm guessing they're thinking back to their missionary days when they would be shipped from that southern Idaho training facility, and on down to whatever town the bishop deemed necessary.
Riding those Liahona customs to go knock on doors.
I was never LDS myself, but I've got plenty of acquaintances up here that could attest to this.
bentstrider03.1.10 - 12:58 pm
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My contribution: as I twittered shortly after the ride, which was very surprising:
"An LAPD officer driving in the other direction yelled out his window to LACM, "fixies unite." Wasn't really expecting that. Was it Beck?
I was expecting this officer to inform us riders what LAPD usually does, which is something along the lines of "stay to the right" or some other assertive road use-type of statement, but when this officer yelled this out his window, I was shocked--in an odd type of pleasant sorta way. But it struck me as curious nonetheless.
dudeonabike03.1.10 - 1:27 pm
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i love how i can begin reading a post and instantly i will know it's by you without reading the author
superblueman3 responding to a
comment by bentstrider
03.1.10 - 1:34 pm
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LDS....you gota be kiding, Im not one to hate on any religion, but fuck those missionarys are fuckin annoying! I used to live in utah and you couldnt go one day without having one of the knock on my dam door at 7am.
rub_my_crank responding to a
comment by bentstrider
03.1.10 - 1:41 pm
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Interestingly enough, they all seemed to leave my ass alone when I was perusing Temple Square.
But, SLC was quite lax in terms of the LDS influence.
The small towns were about as fundaMENTAL as you could get if you were too loud.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by rub_my_crank
03.1.10 - 2:01 pm
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For the most part, LAPD did not harass LACM or the Peoples. The new meet spot for the Peoples is brilliant, since there is no store to call the cops on us.
The MOMs and the ride organizers were very smart. They knew there are only a few places you can take a ride with 400-500 people and not get businesses or residents angry. So the rest/regroup spot at the unused parking lot on 12th and Broadway was perfect.
When the People's went to Pan Pacific, the cops trailed us, but they let us stay in the park for at least 30 minutes or so, before they came and told us to leave. No arrests or tickets. The ride moved along without any trouble.
What would be interesting to know is how many people call in from cars and businesses to complain about 500 bicycle riders traveling on the road. Is there a way to access the call in report?
328rides4ever03.1.10 - 2:48 pm
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My best bet would be a police scanner that's compatible with whatever frequency LE is utilizing.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by 328rides4ever
03.1.10 - 3:16 pm
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heres a video of a cop flying past us in HOLLYWOOD
http://www.youtube.com/user/hollywoodproducer100#p/u/15/Npp3sBuKlIg
Cops were way cool and didnt want to give us any grief. I heard a cop yell out "wheres your light. thats about it...
pauly-winkerstinkle03.1.10 - 3:31 pm
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