Attacks on cyclists in the area

[xuth.livejournal.com]

About an hour ago a friend of mine was pelted with eggs and beer cans while riding her bicycle on Boston Ave. While this isn't specifically Davis Square, this sort of thing has happened to me and several of my friends in this area over the past couple of years, typically at night but not exclusively. Usually it's just eggs (but even those can do damage or cause you to wreck) but I've second hand knowledge of significantly worse.

So among other things, this is a warning to cyclists in the area.

But I wonder if people can do things about this.



I'm guessing that if people were to call the police immediately after this happened there would be a decent chance of the perpetrators getting caught. Especially if they're in a car that can be described. But normally people wait until they get home and are less wound up before calling the police at which point the people involved are typically long gone.

There are many really cheap digital video cameras around, some are even waterproof, that can be attached to a bicycle or helmet. It might be worth doing so.

Anybody else have any ideas?

Comments

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Even if you can't get the plate number, it's a good idea to let the police know. If a vehicle matching that description does something else/worse later in the night then it'll help them put together a timeline.

[turil.livejournal.com]

It would be nice if the police could see that line of reasoning, too. Alas, they actually often refuse to even write up a report, saying "What's the point?" I've offered the point of having records of crimes for use by the government in deciding where to focus community police officers, and where to direct funding, but that sort of stuff tends to go over the heads of people who really don't care about anything and are just doing their job for the money. But yeah, I do tend to submit a report whenever possible.