Almost died tonight... had a panic attack

[tulip]

Call the non-emergency number today. Do it. If for no other reason that to empower yourself that you can do something about this. I once witnessed an incident and didn't call until the next day. The officer was extremely happy that I called because there had been previous reports about the person (I knew the address). Please do it for yourself, it will only take a few minutes, and do it for others. This guy needs to be documented. Your boyfriend is wrong to dismiss it now.

[colorisnt]

I thought about it while I was out on the ride and came back and called. They took a report. Said they can't do much once the person has left the scene but that there is a "cyclist reporting" thing or something similar. Basically, it's a place where they put cyclist complaints.

You guys are right. I feel better doing it (esp. if this guy hurts another person!). I think my boyfriend was just concerned that the police would be really dismissive and make it worse. A couple of weeks ago, a woman almost ran me off the road honking, blew through a stop sign, and this was all in front of a cop sitting in a SCHOOL ZONE. The cop did nothing. I think that was what made me think "they don't care".

[Blueberry]

Good for your for reporting! I'm late chiming in - but I have had mixed responses from cops. BUT most of them have been positive (and I probably would have reported the cop that did nothing, honestly).

Here are my good experiences: A guy passed my DH and I in a downtown area and a motorcycle cop pulled him. The cop chatted with us and gave him a stern warning. A motorist passed by DH way too closely one night and flipped him off. He got the address where the car went. The cop talked to the lady, explained that people always watch and she had better behave better, and gave her a ticket for parking the wrong way on the street. When I lived in a small beach town, an elderly lady cut me off (had to slam on brakes not to hit her) - she pretty clearly couldn't see where she was going. I asked the police if they could at least ask her to be more careful, and they went and talked to her (and called us back). I think most of them (cops) are trying to do the right thing.

[marni]

Thank you for calling the cops and reporting the incident. Believe me the paper trail is important.

re the cop in the school zone. Around here we have Independent School District cops who are allowed to police and ticket only within the school zone but are not allowed to ticket worn or interfere wi road traffic. Maybe that was what was going on.

[colorisnt]

I don't know. She blew through a stop sign IN the school zone, which I would assume was the case. I don't know of anything like that here. The reception was just that they have a local cyclist report file and if they get enough calls, they will go talk to the person. I don't think it did any harm, no one "blamed" me (which is why I feared calling) and if I had known it was that painless, I would have done it sooner!