What would you have done? Minor confrontation with a motorist

A little back story:  I live up north, like way up north; so far people think it is the burbs.  It is not, it is still the 606.  I also live along the stretch of Milwaukee that is up for redoing and possibly being made more bike friendly.  There is a bike lane but it isn't well taken care of, there are always cars parked hanging out into it, and it isn't well marked.  There are also the bus stops every 2 blocks or so.

So I was coming home and about to turn down a side street that I can access the alley behind where I live.  There was a black car parked blocking the bike lane, bus stop, and almost hanging out in the street.  As I rode bike I remarked about it not being a parking spot.  No swears, no name calling, but something like, "That isn't a parking spot" and proceeded on my way.

I then hear tires squealing, an engine revving, and a car fast approaching so I duck into an alley.  Same noises so I stop by a house and dismount.  It is the same car.  He then motions for me to proceed in front of him and revs the engine.  But this point I am off my bike and waiting for him to go.

He then goes to roll down his window but proceeds to open the sun roof, close it, open it again, roll down his driver's rear window, flip on his wiper, and FINALLY roll the passenger window down.  He then rolls up to me and this is where things get weird.

Him:  Are you a cop?

Me:  What does it matter?

Him:  Are you a cop?  How can you tell me I can't park there if you're not a cop?

Me:  Again, what does it matter?  You were illegally parked, blocking the bike lane and forcing me into traffic for no reason.  (he was pulled over on the phone, so I guess I can give him props for that....but he loses it later)

Him:  (exits his car)  Are you a cop?

Me:  Are you? (I see his FOP sticker on the windshield)

Him:  Maybe I am, and maybe you just blew my cover as I was watching a house 2 blocks down.

Me:  Well if your idea of surveillance is parking in a bus stop with no cover you must be the worst cop in the world.

Him:  Listen if you're not a cop you can't tell me what to do.

Me:  Are you drunk?  (I could SMELL the liquor on him, tell by his slurred speech, stumbling steps, and inability to stand straight)

Him:  You're not a cop and I see your tattoo so I know who you are.

Me:  (pulling my phone out)  And I see your car, physical description, and plate #.  

Him:  Random swears...You're lucky dude.  (a car had pulled up behind him at this point)

He then peels off, I am already on the phone with 911, gave a description and plate number, told the operator he threatened me with his vehicle, and was drunk as a skunk.  The operator told me they'd see what they can do but they had limited units in the area.

Should I have just let it go?  Honestly it is a huge problem in my area because the local district is so strapped for cops that they don't have the time, or want, to ticket these cars.  We have a funeral home that will place huge cones directly in the center of the bike lane for no reason.  People park campers at for weeks at times, and the potholes are ridiculous.  I guess I got a little overzealous but is it worth it?

Should I have started recording with my phone?  (I am waiting to get a helmet came from another chainlinker this week)  Should I let it go and just ride on since technically I wasn't hurt by it?  Should I have been grateful he was pulled over on the phone and not driving?  Or was I in the right especially since he was drunk?

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Permalink Reply by yai danche on June 30, 2014 at 5:06pm

I wouldn't have said anything in the first place.  I see comments on bike forums saying drivers would never park in a car lane so why would they do it in a bike lane.  Actually, I see that all the time.  People parking for church and at the little ice cream stand.  They are going to do it if they can get away with it.  That said, that guy totally sounded drunk and I would hope he got caught after you called it in.  I think a more effective way is to talk to your alderman or CAPS meeting.  311 now has a text and email feature.  Maybe documenting offenders could work.  

Permalink Reply by Tom Z on June 30, 2014 at 5:26pm

As for the confrontation, I probably would have gotten myself out of the situation.

As for that area of Milwaukee, I do know your frustration with that part of Milwaukee. For example, I can't remember the last time I drove or rode by the McDonalds at Milwaukee and Elston and didn't see a car or two parked in the tow-zone. Parking there is a problem in more than one way. One, the vehicle is blocking the bicycle lane, second it causes a blind spot for people trying to exit McDonalds.

I wish the City of Chicago would allocate more officers to the 16.

Again, let it go next time. It's not worth it if the person is really looking to start trouble.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 30, 2014 at 6:26pm

I probably would have skipped the whole thing and just went around the car; it's not really worth ending up in that sort of situation unless somebody is really being a shithead.

That said, sometimes we get pissed and just react to stuff...

I would sat how you handled the actual confrontation was pretty reasonable.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on June 30, 2014 at 11:53pm
Thanks for the replies everyone. The reason I stopped was I had no where to ride away to and not be in a position where he could hit me. I usually would have ridden on but didn't feel safe. Plus I didn't want him to know where I lived, I was a block away from my place. Looking back I should have kept quiet, blah on being self righteous at times.

yai danche - do you know that number to text? I can make that a lot more inconspicuous than opening my flapper.

yai danche said:

I wouldn't have said anything in the first place.  I see comments on bike forums saying drivers would never park in a car lane so why would they do it in a bike lane.  Actually, I see that all the time.  People parking for church and at the little ice cream stand.  They are going to do it if they can get away with it.  That said, that guy totally sounded drunk and I would hope he got caught after you called it in.  I think a more effective way is to talk to your alderman or CAPS meeting.  311 now has a text and email feature.  Maybe documenting offenders could work.  

Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on July 1, 2014 at 2:14am

I guess I got a little overzealous...

He, at least, was drunk. What's your excuse for being unbalanced?

Permalink Reply by David Barish on July 1, 2014 at 2:25am

You still do not know if he is a douche in a car, a cop on a mission into which you have interfered, a cop who is intoxicated and is currently neither serving nor protecting. Your original comment is a judgement call. I would likely ride by and forget about it but cannot fault you for making a comment. You might think twice about that from here on.  Afterwards you want to avoid all contact. Once he chased you it was a good idea NOT  to stop at your house. I may have stayed on Milwaukee figuring that I am safer on a busier street.

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on July 1, 2014 at 2:55am

http://www.thechainlink.org/events/jefferson-park-public-meeting-on...

Meeting on this area of Milwaukee, on Wednesday, July 2nd, at the Copernicus Center from 5pm-8pm.

Permalink Reply by Andy J on July 1, 2014 at 3:07am

Of course, your personal safety always comes first - never put yourself in harms way for the sake of making a point.

That said, it sounds to me like you stumbled upon a drunk cop (welcome to the club!). Now you need to choose between letting this slide (as I'm certain CPD will do if left alone) and pursuing the incident with your alderman, which will stir up a hornet's nest and open you up to retaliation.

I wish I could say that taking the latter course will result in some sort of disciplinary action, but as we've seen time and time again, CPD always protects its own.

Be careful out there!

Permalink Reply by Davo on July 1, 2014 at 3:12am

I think that you handled the situation quite well given the fact that he deliberately followed you after a throw away comment. I may be misreading this but are we supposed to not say anything while we ride now?

Permalink Reply by yai danche on July 1, 2014 at 3:20am

Mike, I was remembering this from a streetsblog article about repeat offender, a commercial limo company.  However, people called into 311 which was then transferred to 911 (this seems odd to me).  Maybe they will start writing tickets and that would be a deterrent.  FYI, the 311 email is good for reporting hanging branches and potholes.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on July 1, 2014 at 3:25am

I don't know if the FOP sticker means anything.  Don't people donate to FOP to get the sticker thinking it will get them out of tickets?  Why would an unmarked car have an FOP sticker?  Police don't use their personal cars on surveillance.

I agree CPD may feel ticketing minor crimes is a waste of time, but that is so shortsighted.  If CPD approached the vehicle to tell the guy to get out of the bike lane, they would have smelled the alcohol and been able to bust a drunk driver before he ran over a pedestrian.  People don't choose one law to ignore, and follow all the others.  Pulling over a car for a minor violation may result in catching someone driving on a suspended license or driving without insurance.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 1, 2014 at 4:21am

FOP is a union. You don't get a sticker unless you're a member of the union. Sounds like you encountered a drunk obnoxious off-duty cop. An unmarked CPD car would not have an FOP sticker on it, so that was probably the jerk's personal vehicle.

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