Bikes Booted!
Thread started by
mr.easy at 09.30.08 - 5:50 pm
My buddy and I went to have lunch at the CAA building complex in Century City, 2000 Ave. of the Stars.
We walked out bikes onto the quad area and locked them out of the way in front of the Stand restaurant. Immediately a security guard was on us to see what we were up to. He said it's OK to park there for lunch and that the racks are down in the parking garage.
When we got back, security had put a large cable lock around both bikes not allowing us to leave!
WTF?
We had to go find security who explained that "roving security guards" must have slapped the lock on and that bikes are not allowed on the premises (only in the garage)
This is an excellent example of how perfectly backwards bicycle policy is in LA. We are both avid bicycle commuters and should be rewarded for taking cars off the road with a close secure parking spot.
Is detaining a bike even legal?
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Oh yeah, don't even think about taking a bike to the Century City Mall.
They don't even have rack and nearly called the cops on me.
mr.easy09.30.08 - 5:52 pm
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FUCK EVERYBODY.
this same shit happened to me in Vegas. I locked my bike to a guard rail totally out of the way and when I got back my shit was flicked off the building like a piece of dirt. the security guards clipped the lock citing homeland security
Roadblock09.30.08 - 6:08 pm
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looks like critical mass needs to take a stroll through the mall...
Joe Borfo09.30.08 - 6:09 pm
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Same crap sort of happened to me when I was at the Sherman Oaks Galleria last month. I was sitting at the entrance from the Sherman Oaks/Ventura side with my bike leaning on the seat bench. A security gaurd (sg) comes up to me and asks that I can't have the bikes were prohibited on the outdoor walk way area that they have. I know signs are posted everywhere but sheesh I wasn't even riding it.
I know they have bicycle racks underground but I didn't want to put it there. I thought this sg was gonna be a dick but the cool thing was... he said that I could check in my bike at the security office. I walked it over there... gave me a raffle ticket and they stored it indoors... that was awesome. I came back to get it... they rolled it out and the bike was cold from the ac.
@mr easy...
I just think they don't want bikes to be attached to anything outside... for the looks. It sucks that they locked it up and I don't see what the purpose was. Teach you guys a lesson... to scold you? Especially when the first guys said it was cool. You'd think they'd radio in and another sg would've said, "It's cool... I already talked to those guys." But yes.. it would totally piss me off. I'd like to put a lock on the bikes of those sg's... see how they like it.
digablesoul09.30.08 - 6:31 pm
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Is it really that hard to check with security first?
You can't randomly park your bike on private property any more than you can randomly park your car on private property.
Sure, some security guards are jackasses, but acting self-entitled really doesn't help the situation.
Cyclists have enough real problems to deal with without making more unnecessarily.
JB09.30.08 - 7:02 pm
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Well John it will be an issue when more property becomes private... WERE ALL DOOMED
CORPWARS.
franz09.30.08 - 7:27 pm
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It's about 50 yards from the street to the hot dog stand.
I could push my bike 50 yards and get a hot dog or enter the parking garage through the service entrance with the trucks, ride down three levels, lock the bike then go up two escalators to be 50 yards away from the hot dog stand
self entitled definitely not, would it kill them to add a bike rack on the street level? Atleast post a sign?
no it's more cost effective for bored corporate security goons to bust chops.
mr.easy09.30.08 - 8:12 pm
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Isn't it technically theft if another person adds a lock to your bike?
markedge09.30.08 - 8:50 pm
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You should NEVER EVER be hassled by a security guard. They are not cops. If a cop did that, he would probably get fired at some departments. Security guards are regular citizens with a responsibility to be good witnesses...THAT IS ALL. If they start acting like cops, they can be charged with impersonating a police officer. I don't give a shit if they start talking about POST 832 (which few of them take) or powers of arrest or guard card this, guard card that...they do a citizens arrest...they are liable in civil court. Most security guards have handcuffs. Very few of them are stupid enough to use them.
If you really wanted to make a big deal out of that, you could call the property manager and threaten to sue because the security guard, under contract by them, followed shitty procedure and pretty much committed theft. Private property or not...the penal code is still in full effect on private property.
I would of been fucking pissed.
NOTE: If you start acting stupid/belligerent and the security guard calls the cops...the cops will probably side with the security guard before they side with you. Keep it professional. Don't bust out with "I'm a law student" lines. If the cops are called, you make it known that you know whats up.
el_spaniard09.30.08 - 10:12 pm
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Oh, and I forgot to mention. Policy is Policy on private property. Most security guards are just trying to do their jobs. If you know that the policy states "NO BIKES" or something along those lines...then better to avoid conflict and do things the way they want them done.
BUT...there is no reason for them to fuck with your bike. Locking Up, Cutting your lock, and/or Confiscating your bike is illegal. Your bike is YOUR property...they have no right to fuck with your property. Towing a car off of private property is risky. If one of those security guards PPT's your car...they can get in huge fucking trouble. Thats why most Malls have a 72 hour grace period before they lift your car. Same goes for parking in the white. They won't tow your car...too much liability.
Same goes for your bike. Especially if your bike is over 400. Then it becomes a grand theft.
el_spaniard09.30.08 - 10:20 pm
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pfft, they towed my car after 30mins, bastards!
aksendz09.30.08 - 11:57 pm
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@imachynna
I used to work for a police department and WE got in trouble for PPTing a car once.
Things change when people start making threats. No one wants to get sued or fired for stupid shit.
I don't know what everyone's policy is. Obviously, all private properties are owned by different people/come with different rules. Its your responsibility to know the policy. But again, their policy does not overthrow state law. If what they are doing looks illegal...then it probably is. They can get away with a lot...especially when uneducated eyes don't catch it. Its like security guards pulling traffic stops in parking lots. Can they do it? They can try! Will the person stop? Probably! Will they get sued and lose? FUCK YEAH.
I know officers who used to cite people for VC violations on private property. Do people know the difference? Hell no! Your all stupid humans. You'll pay the ticket or plead guilty. Will it get thrown out if you fight it...90% of the time...YES! Most VC and Muni codes are NOT enforceable on private property. But you guys don't know that.
Never let stuff like that go. It doesn't matter whether its the cops or security guards.
We all need to educate ourselves and stop believing the FUD.
el_spaniard10.1.08 - 12:13 am
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Aye, the same pretty much goes for standing on private property with an open container, it's not illegal unless a tenant or the owner complains, if i remember correctly. open container is only illegal in "public".
As to plazas and shit that suck for bikes, that thing with the Target on santa monica and la brea, where bevmo is and all that, they hate bikes, they have one rack, on the outside of the la brea side of the complex, completely out of view from the rest of the building (perfect theft rack), it's a wheel biter, and if you even walk a bike onto their property (like to say use the kiosk atm by the green burrito) you'll get an over-weight indignant asshole telling you no bikes and that you have to park it on the other side of the building.
like someone said above, security guards are private citizens, not cops, depending on the situation just ignore em.
I'd love to hear the station's reaction when someone called the cops
guard: "uhh, there's a guy here with a bicycle, and he's using our facilities"
officer: "what is he doing?"
guard "he's walking his bike to the ATM, oh, he's done now and leaving"
officer: thanks for wasting our time.
seriously...
politely remind security guards that they cannot touch you, if they do, press assault charges if the cops show up.
FuzzBeast10.1.08 - 12:55 am
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In the end, the over-fed security guard was pretty much apologizing for the lock up and told me the "spirit of the law" (law? wtf?) is to keep out the messenger because they are all criminals.
mr.easy10.1.08 - 1:15 am
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YOU SHOUDA LEFT A BOX OF DONUTS NEXT TO YOUR BIKE AS YOU WALKED AWAY,
SEE YOU COULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS SHIT.
eddieboyinla10.1.08 - 1:18 am
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@Fuzzbeast
Unfortunately, YOU CAN GET CITED FOR OPEN CONTAINER ON PRIVATE PROPERTY...BUT...it all depends on the cities municipal code. Some cities have municipal codes that are specifically for enforcement on private property. In other words, the section they cite you for will state that you were cited for drinking on private property. Though it will only be an infraction. Minors in possession is going to be a misdemeanor under a Business & Professions Code. That is the 10% of Muni & VC codes that CAN BE ENFORCED on private property. If you park in the red, 330 dollars. You park in the Handi-cap, 330. DUI or reckless driving on private property is also enforceable. Rolled a stop sign...fight it. Loud muffler...fight it. Loud music...fight it. But also remember that some roads that run through private property are part of public streets. That will fuck you over.
el_spaniard10.1.08 - 9:33 am
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@mr.easy
He was apologetic because they know damn well what they can and can not do. Many times they think they will get away with it because most people don't know what kind of powers are possessed by security guards...pretty much "0" power. They do not enforce law. The cops don't want to waste their time with stupid shit. Most of those calls will be held by the dispatcher until LONG after you have left the property. And if/when the cops show up...they will just act as peace keepers.
I WILL WARN YOU AGAIN THOUGH. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU TREAT AS A SECURITY GUARD. SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THIS STATE HAVE NON-SWORN OFFICERS. Community Service Officers, Public Safety Officers, Cadets, Police Aides, Police Assistants, etc are NOT security guards. Some of them have access to JDIC. That means they can run you for warrants, run your plates, cite you, and do a whole array of shit you couldn't imagine. And when they call for back-up...BACK-UP WILL COME...AND BACK-UP WILL BE PISSED. They will testify in court. And unlike security guards, some of them do take POST 832 and some of them are allowed to search and possibly arrest you. Do not call someone a security guard if they are not a security guard. That will get you handled on with no vaseline.
el_spaniard10.1.08 - 9:41 am
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If it really is a matter of appearences, then it won't be long before it's the Fashion Police dictating which bikes can be in front of the stores, and which bikes need to be out of sight, down in the parking garage.
Eric Hair10.1.08 - 10:41 am
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@Fuzzbeast
"Target on santa monica and la brea, where bevmo is and all that, they hate bikes, they have one rack, on the outside of the la brea side of the complex, completely out of view from the rest of the building (perfect theft rack),"
This is so true... I wen tdown there on one of the firt few mom rides to get a speaker...they said i had to put it over on that rack...when i came out there was some dude striping my bike of lights and tryin' to get mt basket off...
and you remember when we went there before on a ride...they came and chased us away...
not the place to go...if you are on a bike
MOM-RIDA-Raquel10.1.08 - 10:48 am
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i think you should just carry these around and park yout bike wherever the fuck you want.
larsenf10.1.08 - 2:55 pm
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For what it is worth, most of the businesses in that target/bevmo strip mall will allow you to bring your bike inside and the guards have got nothing they can say to that. I live right there and go there all the time. The guard inevitably accosts me while I'm still making my way to whatever store I'm going to and I always respond with "I'm taking it inside" at which point he shuts the fuck up. None of the businesses have ever complained and several (target, cafe fresh) have gone out of their way to make sure I had a secure place to stow it. I enjoy sticking it to the guards, so now I'm going to eat at Cafe Fresh on my way home tonight.
ideasculptor10.1.08 - 6:15 pm
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WHOA WHOA WHOA I SAW YOUR BIKES THERE THAT DAY!!!
I WALKED BY THEM and check them out but didn't notice the lock. I work there but didn't know that they do that crap.
our bike racks are in the garage and not easy to get to. that is sooo not fair!!!
fuckers
tomato10.1.08 - 6:29 pm
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