art is an excellent vehicle. (no pun intended.) in a city that is already so challenging and dangero

Yesterday, I got an email forwarded to me about a cyclist being attacked, beaten and mugged on the Ballona Creek Bike Trail. You may remember that there has been some controversy about gang activity around one of the entrances and whether or not it is safe for entrances to exist in communities . The LAPD, favoring gate closure , has protested that they don't have the manpower to properly discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may police the trail and entrances. This email shows that the problem is worse than we feared, it seems some police in the area don't seem to know that the trail exists.
Looks like we have another example of how cyclists in LA aren t actually considered citizens. Our safety is optional. The fact that one cop didn t know about the bike path REALLY illustrates the point that we re not LAST on the priority list, we don t even make the list.
Some of the La Grange riders were having problems. But there was a police presence effort. It is likely that the police officer discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may was trying to write a report, but didn t know how to fill in the street block.
When I rode it, I always had my beater bike and dressed down. I $25 bike and a guy in shorts is less a target than a $5,000 bike and spandex outfits. I also only rode it early in the morning, when most criminals (hopefully) are finally getting to bed.
Has anyone discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may been able to get confirmation of this report from the police? This story just reeks of internet meme. I also did a search of the CICLE and LA Bicycle Coalition websites and found reference to an unconfirmed attack reported on March 23, 2008, and this exact story with slightly discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may more detail.
I ve been taking the BC path a day or two a week for the past few months. Each time it s pleasant enough except discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may for the area around MarVista gardens. The underpass for the 405 and it s environs usually have the typical poulation of let s contribute to society by skulking and acting tough . My solution would be a simple round up and drop them off in falluja.
I was at the public meeting about the gate closure. Apparently it is illegal to loiter on the bike path. What about getting cyclists to call the police EVERY TIME they see ANYONE loitering discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may around the 405/MVG? If there are a steady stream of complaints, perhaps the police will make it a higher priority.
discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may This is so discouraging and creepy. I was running on the bike path last Thursday morning heading west. Just at the 405 underpass a cyclist stopped me to warn me off as two guys had just tried to attack him. I could clearly see the two up ahead hanging out on the path by that park watching us talk.
I run before discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may 7:00am and have also always figured any bad guys would either be asleep or at work at that time so I was pretty stunned discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may (pre-caffeine make that completely out of it). I hope that cyclist was okay, he seemed shaken but not hurt. I was curious if he reported it to the police, but I didn t have the presence of mind to encourage him to do it. I didn t continue down the path, but turned around and made up the mileage at the other end.
I would guess that the closure of the east end of the path has degraded the safety of the whole thing. As I drive down Jefferson, I notice much more graffiti over there these days, which I think means more gang activity overall. Failing to clean it off is like giving up and just handing the property over to the gangs.
It s very sad that in broad daylight in the center of a major city which considers itself prosperous and cultured anyone, bicyclist or pedestrian, can be violently attacked and robbed. It s a symptom of our state s descent into a libertarian Howard discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may Jarvis paradise where warlords rule their turf in defiance of the law.
I use the BC path for my work commute and I am very frustrated with these occurrences. I keep hearing that the path may be closed due to crime which is like putting a band-aid on a broken arm. If there is indeed discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may a crime problem on the BC path it is up to the police to resolve it.
Damien is there any chance you can use this site to help organize a response (e.g., to lobby or increased police patrols on the path, better lighting under the 405, etc.). I know other groups are already at work on this, and I am in contact with some of them, but a well-organized, coherent, and loud call for action is more likely to be heard. If anyone has ideas, feel free to email me at btreanor@lmu.edu
I ve been riding the path daily since 89. Back in the day I used to carry a pistol in my fanny pack, which, in hindsight, wasn t a bad idea (The pistol, discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may not the fanny pack). But then I became a weight weenie and carrying that Ruger around was, like, way too heavy- plus, my fancy new jerseys only have three pockets in the back and are ill-suited for proper carry.
At 9 oz. loaded, it s the perfect accessory for any serious roadie who must regulary navigate troubled discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may areas of our city. Unfortunately it only costs $232 so it won t appeal to many status seekers. Maybe they ll come out with a titanium cyclist s version in the future.
one thing to do would be get off the path, and get back on at inglewood. i have a sneaking discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may suspicion that the thugs would catch on to being avoided, and would simply move their operations to one of the several discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may bridges.
i m not an advocate of violence, but perhaps a big group of bicyclists could go out vigilante style and hunt these guys down. once they get their butt whipped they d be less inclined to do this type of thing.
discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may In an early August edition of the Downtown News, staff writer Kathyrn Maese (Resident discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may Advisor. A Jarring Downtown Wake-Up Call. 04 August 2008) wrote about being attacked and how her husband confronted the attacker. In the 18 August edition ( A Divided Response to a Wake-Up Call ), Maese quoted Central Division LAPD bike officer David Bowen: I think you had the right attitude. You and your brave husband did the right thing the right way.
One can easily infer that in light of the LAPD s lack of action, LAPD s implicit advice that commensurate confrontation should be employed and the nature of the attacks, that using lethal force in this situation is well-warranted and practically endorsed discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may by the LAPD. I would suggest taking action and eliminating the threat. One or two heads on pikes might keep away the other thugs, or invite them into an abattoir if properly discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may arranged by those who do not wish to be attacked or ride in fear any longer.
Killing people is not the answer. You ll end up in court, discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may having to explain your sorry ass paying discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may for a good lawyer to save you from yourself. Then, later on, you ll have your stupid regrets when you go over what happened in your mind constantly. You ll remember what the guys mom looked like sitting in the courtroom glaring at you.
I did contact LAPD and they do have a record of the August 19 mugging. They also indicated that they have a named suspect who will be apprehended shortly. For what s it s worth, they did not know of other attacks in that area and did not feel that daytime rides were a big risk. They recommended riding with a partner and that women especially not ride alone.
i have directed discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may several public art projects with youth and would like to offer the idea to do a large installation / performance intervention amassing multiple talents and skills. discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may through commitment and networking, we can make a change about the issue of gang members and others attacking bicyclists and its effects on the health discounts on suites at las vegas hotels for may of our neighborhoods.
art is an excellent vehicle. (no pun intended.) in a city that is already so challenging and dangerous for bicyclists, we need to make sure that this path is usable and safe for everyone. please contact me with whatever ideas you may have and we can get started on the work.
Killing people is not the answer. You ll end up in court, having to explain your sorry ass paying for a good lawyer to save you from yourself. Then, later on, you ll have your stupid regrets when you go over what happened in your mind constantly. You ll remember what the guys mom looked like sitting in the courtroom glaring at you.
If I had to kill someone to defend myself I don t believe I would lose too much sleep. Out on the path there would likely be no witnesses and I would simply pedal away from all that unpleasantness, whistling merrily as I went.]
[I don t have revenge fantasies, but I do know that there exists in our society a certain element which does not place as high a value on your life as you might. One of the few things they do respect, however, is your ability to take theirs- if you possess that ability. A gun is simply a tool enabling the small and weak among us to protect themselves from larger criminal adversaries.
This morning 11/11/09 at 5:30 I was riding the Ballona Creek bike trail as I do almost every Morning and someone walking tried to knock me off my bike (west of Ingelwood). I called 911 right away… waited 35 minutes and then left, at 6:45 the 911 dispatched called back to see if I still need response! Both I and the perp were long gone.
First, call Councilmember Rosendahl. 213-473-7011. He needs to know that the police in his district are unable to support the cyclists who dare to ride Ballona. He also needs to know that the fenced in and secluded bikeway creates a hospitable environment for crime.
Second, remember that the City of LA (LADOT) fought all the way to the State Apellate Court to have bike paths such as Ballona declared recreational facilities and you ride at your own risk, they are not responsible for maintenance and repairs the way they are on the streets of LA.
Third, ride on the streets. It s safer and there are witnesses. The residents around Ballona can t get to you if you need help. You re fenced in! (btw, even in rural wilderness parks, there are mile markers but on the City of LA s Bike Paths, how do you identify your location?)
This place is *still* not safe. A friend of mine likes to take a walk on the bike path and he has been attacked twice now. Each time it was by someone who was alone and clearly had no motive other than to cause bodily harm.