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 Chitown_Mike on July 1, 2014 at 5:19am

I know the CPD will protect it's own, and probably beyond an allowed extent then they should, but I wasn't going to say whether I was a cop because I wasn't about to get busted for impersonation in case he was.  From now on I will keep my comments to myself but if I have the time to take pictures and video when needed, and call in when that is needed as well.

Davo - Guess we have to be the silent minority (literally).

Bob - I am hoping to be there for some of it at least.

Bob Kastigar said:

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.



Reboot Oxnard said:

I guess I got a little overzealous...

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

I am not sure I follow?  Since I commute on a bike should I become unemotional and robotic, void of all feeling about my safety and just ride on the back of mother luck hoping my life won't be jeopardized by someone else ignorance?  I said something because nothing is ever done on the stretch I ride on, the cops could careless (it is basically a pre-retirement district), and we don't have the cycling community like other neighborhoods do.  I opened my flapper and then stood my ground, looking back I probably shouldn't have said anything, but I did and don't consider it as an unbalance.

Permalink Reply by Nançois on July 1, 2014 at 7:17am

Just a heads-up on the FOP: years ago, I got a call from someone asking me to donate money to the FOP. I was young and dumb enough to believe what I had heard people say about it being "bad karma" to turn down the FOP. So I did donate, and I got my very own FOP sticker in return! This annual phone call/sticker routine went on for about three or four years, until it finally dawned on me that I didn't even have a car to put it on, let alone a parking ticket to dodge! So I turned them down on the opportunity to donate again, and have never had cause to regret it.

I also think you handled this just fine. I make off-hand comments about people's driving all the time. They don't usually come after me for it, but when they do you can pretty much count on an unpleasant ending. At least you had the wherewithal to report the drunk driving and didn't get injured.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on July 1, 2014 at 8:13am

There is an FOP Associate organization.  People that are not police can donate and join.

Before I had caller ID, I used to answer the phone.  I assumed donation requests were a telemarketing company making the call, so I never felt bad turning down the request.

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on July 1, 2014 at 9:33am

If you think a car can/should be ticketed, call 911 in order to have a unit dispatched. 311 is for issues that have no immediacy.

I've spoken to drivers and gotten reactions from indifference to (rare) appreciation - luckily nothing as extreme as this. I think that in your case, once the driver was out of the car I would have dialed 911.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on July 1, 2014 at 9:55am

It took me about 3 years to learn to forget about everything but yourself when riding. And it has made my commutes so much better!  Only time I talk to drivers now is when they have a really flat tire! Nothing ever good comes out of correcting drivers or pedestrians.  Nobody likes to be told they are doing something wrong. (Unless its by a cop)

Permalink Reply by Michael A on July 1, 2014 at 11:02am

a donation will get you a FOP sticker, the gold FOP badge on the back plate is only possible if you an officer or their spouse (unlikey they get two)

Permalink Reply by Jon Cunningham on July 3, 2014 at 2:28pm

+1


Jeff Schneider said:

I *never* get close enough to a driver that they can touch me.  When he got out of the car I would have been riding down the street...fast.  I wouldn't stop for the driver of any car unless it is a marked police car or an unmarked car with MP license plates.

Trying to educate a numbskull is a fool's errand.  It makes more sense just to concentrate on keeping yourself safe.  Many drivers are unbalanced.

Be careful out there!

Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on July 7, 2014 at 4:39am

Anne and Michael are right - the gold FOP plastic badge (not a sticker) is what cops have on all their cars (they can get more than one).  There are two "FOP" stickers - the oval "Associate Member" is the BS group that "raises money" through phone calls.  If it is round, it's family or a cop.

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