Sometimes cops are pretty awesome...
On my way home tonight I had a valet for a club on Milwaukee almost open a door into me , having already lost 1/2 a tooth this week on a bike I am a little high strung so there where words about what, exactly, the law about the bike lane and doors is; I will admit my words may have been harsh. One of the clubs door men showed up and started to yell at me and told me, and I quote, 'fuck you get out of here no one cares about you, you're bike or your fucking lane.' I told him clearly what the law was and that his valet was in the wrong and that if he wanted to call the cops they'd tell him the same thing, it is illegal to open a door into traffic and I AM TRAFFIC!
No surprise this fell on deaf ears, I was informed I could fuck the law, fuck Chicago and fuck myself and that when I left he was going to get in his car and run me over and kill me, damn near exact words. In what was not my wisest moment I told him to go get his car and try it because I was looking forward to the cops arresting him for attempted manslaughter. He called me a pussy and said he'd kick my ass and I told him to bring it, he called me a pussy again. I explained to him that he was the guy threatening me with his fists and a car but doing nothing about it and started to ride off slow, he followed me at a trot so I paced him to see what was up, a block from the club he pulled a knife out and charged me from between the parked cars.
I hauled ass up a couple of blocks to get away and called the CPD.
Mad props to the 14th for showing up lights and sirens pretty damn quick. The officers took my statement and immediately stormed the club in force looking for the specific doorman but he had left quickly upon their appearance. The officer I first spoke to came up and discussed the issue with me and let me know he knew who I was describing and that he was a chronic issue and assured me that he would see him again and would make it clear the behavior was not right and would not be tolerated and asked me how far I wanted to take it all. I told him that if it was wanted I would go to court but that truth be told I was glad for the quick response and action because even if they didn't catch him it shows that the cops do give a shit about cyclists and even if there are no charges the guy knows his actions where wrong and can generate a FAST police response.
The officer responded by thanking me, letting me know that despite it not always looking like it most cops gave a shit about cyclists and recognized our right to the road. He then made mention that he wished we obeyed traffic signals and stop signs better because so often when an accident happens the car wins and many times the cyclist is in the wrong because of a stop sign or light violation have no chance of compensation. He also commented that it was excellent I rode with both front and rear lights and bade me a good evening.
Truth be told this may have been the most pleasant police experience I have had in my entire 33 years.
No surprise this fell on deaf ears, I was informed I could fuck the law, fuck Chicago and fuck myself and that when I left he was going to get in his car and run me over and kill me, damn near exact words. In what was not my wisest moment I told him to go get his car and try it because I was looking forward to the cops arresting him for attempted manslaughter. He called me a pussy and said he'd kick my ass and I told him to bring it, he called me a pussy again. I explained to him that he was the guy threatening me with his fists and a car but doing nothing about it and started to ride off slow, he followed me at a trot so I paced him to see what was up, a block from the club he pulled a knife out and charged me from between the parked cars.
I hauled ass up a couple of blocks to get away and called the CPD.
Mad props to the 14th for showing up lights and sirens pretty damn quick. The officers took my statement and immediately stormed the club in force looking for the specific doorman but he had left quickly upon their appearance. The officer I first spoke to came up and discussed the issue with me and let me know he knew who I was describing and that he was a chronic issue and assured me that he would see him again and would make it clear the behavior was not right and would not be tolerated and asked me how far I wanted to take it all. I told him that if it was wanted I would go to court but that truth be told I was glad for the quick response and action because even if they didn't catch him it shows that the cops do give a shit about cyclists and even if there are no charges the guy knows his actions where wrong and can generate a FAST police response.
The officer responded by thanking me, letting me know that despite it not always looking like it most cops gave a shit about cyclists and recognized our right to the road. He then made mention that he wished we obeyed traffic signals and stop signs better because so often when an accident happens the car wins and many times the cyclist is in the wrong because of a stop sign or light violation have no chance of compensation. He also commented that it was excellent I rode with both front and rear lights and bade me a good evening.
Truth be told this may have been the most pleasant police experience I have had in my entire 33 years.
Views: 87
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mattbikes1 on
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Some good officers out there? Thank god. I have never needed their help, but if and when I do I hope I am afforded the same type of experience as you. Glad that you didn't get knifed by the obvious psychopath that is employed as a bouncer. If you would, for all of our well being, let us know what establishment this is.
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Permalink Reply by jen on
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This gives me renewed CPD hope! If this officer can continue his positive lead, perhaps others in the dept will learn and follow....
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Permalink Reply by Shay on
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Fucking hell. What a week you've had. Thank God you weren't hurt. When you mostly hear about or experience cops behaving badly, this is a nice contradiction.
I'm glad this turned out good.
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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on
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It actually sounds a lot scarier then it really was. For one he was quite someway from me and I suspected his intentions and felt getting away from him on bike would be quite easy; I also don't feel he truly intended to stab me but thought he was going to scare me much like when he had been threatening to get in his car and run me over. I know it sounds like I'm full of bravado here but I was never really in fear of my safety, he didn't even chase that fast or far.
Mind you his behavior was still far from appropriate for any situation which is why I choose to call the police, I firmly believe that people should not be allowed to act like that without being shown that their actions can carry repercussions. It also helped draw police attention to the problem that started the whole altercation; the near dooring from the valet. Truth be told I think the behavior of their valets was a greater risk to myself then the idiot with the knife. The valet, while facing towards oncoming traffic, opened a door directly into the back line and directly into my path, had there been heavy traffic int he vehicle lane I would have been laid out.
The club is V Live and I notice from their Yelp reviews the bouncers are not very nice...
Brian Kennedy said:Man, DUG, I'm glad you are okay. Thank you for sticking up for all of us and I just wish it didn't have the potential price of your life. This bouncer is a complete psycho because you are not exactly a small person. Glad you are okay and got the support of the police quickly.
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Permalink Reply by Davo on
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When he pulled the knife on you was his arm fully extended or tucked in? My guess is that he never cut anything with that knife other than to look tuff. Also where on milwaukee was this? I'm thinking that we should start a list of business establishments that have a history of sucking towards bikes (like the one piano bar) and take critical mass by all of them.
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on
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I'm glad that you called the police and got a good response, and, most importantly, that you're okay. There ARE good cops out there.
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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on
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No, just get the word out so cyclists know to boycott these places.
Davo said:When he pulled the knife on you was his arm fully extended or tucked in? My guess is that he never cut anything with that knife other than to look tuff. Also where on milwaukee was this? I'm thinking that we should start a list of business establishments that have a history of sucking towards bikes (like the one piano bar) and take critical mass by all of them.
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Permalink Reply by dittoottib on
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few stories of good cops exist because praise is harder than criticism.
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Permalink Reply by Trachea on
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-chris-kelly-15-sep15,0...
Apparently, the nightclub owners were mixed up with Christopher Kelly, an aide of Blagojevich who turned up dead over the weekend. checkie the address...
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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on
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Amen!
dittoottib said:few stories of good cops exist because praise is harder than criticism.
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Permalink Reply by Barbra Mann on
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What club???
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