My Email to the Torrance Police Department
I came across a story that got me really upset. So in response, I decided to email the source of my agitation. It went a little like this:
To whomever this may concern,
I came across this story online on http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_17766695 which described a 19 year-old woman who was under the influence and swerved onto a group of cyclists on Sunday, April 3rd. The part that really upset me was reading what Lt. Devin Chase had said, “It’s kind of a residential street, so we’re not sure if the bicyclists were staying on their side of the road or taking up more of the road.” First of all, why is this statement targeting the victims of the crime? If they were in anyway not on their side would mean that they were trying to fend for their lives by avoiding a swerving vehicle coming into their lane. Secondly, this type of response from the Torrance Police Department is insensitive to victims of the incident as well as to the entire bicycling community. It would have been more productive to not comment at all or perhaps use this as an example to help detract others from drinking and driving or under age drinking. Instead, the police department seems to go out of their way to blame the bicyclists.
I do not live in Torrance but have traveled into Torrance by way of bicycle. When I do come to Torrance I participate in the local economy by shopping at various restaurants, stores and vendors. Comments like this just shows that riding a bicycle in the City of Torrance is not welcomed. I will have to think twice before rolling into Torrance the next time I am in the area.
Regards,
Johnny Lam
Keep in mind this is my first ever call to action that was initiated without support from anybody else. I received a reply asking for a number to discuss further. Let’s see where this rabbit hole leads to.
Themocracy
I talked to Mike Brown, the Deputy Chief of the Torrance Police Department. He assured me that Lt. Chase was notified about the concern I voiced here. He was even sympathetic to cyclists saying we have many other issues to deal with on the road and said he had cringed while reading the quote Lt. Chase had given even before my email to the department.
Good for you! I’m so glad you wrote that letter to the editor!
Thanks Sirinya. I didn’t write to the editor but rather to the police department.
hey johnny,
i linked in from your xanga…i still remember how you were so into riding that bike of yours and driving that blue car. pretty surprising to see you hop on over to the cycling world. kudos to you!
-jen
Hey Jen,
Things have changed for the last 7 years. I no longer have a gasoline powered vehicle. I’m traveling around with a bicycle and the Metro for the past year and half. I sold both car and motorcycle. Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’re doing good.