I would have thought they'd be here somewhere. Instead I had to hear about it from the strib.

The first news and subsequent discussion is buried in TOTH/WOTF so it is hard to find if you don't read that thread. Here's a link to it starting with the initial post.

http://www.mplsbikelove.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7436&start=7470

that's what I was wondering, any chance the thread can be moved?
more info. (http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/137690793.html) the description of the assailants, along with the severe beating that continued after the victim already handed over the their stuff makes it sound very similar to the dudes who were pretty much doing the same thing last spring. the ones who got shot at before making an escape (http://www.startribune.com/local/minnea ... 37649.html) star trombone even says one might have a limp. I never heard anything about those guys getting busted. so lets all be very highly extremely aware.

surprised to hear about this. I recognized the name right away...when i heard this morning. Ive hung out with her a few times a long time ago. Sad.....i hope they catch these assholes.

Nah, they caught those dudes. These are a different group of scumbags.

Additional information about some of the robberies:
http://swjournal.com/index.php?&story=1 ... ategory=63

hmm....scary. I hope they can put some law enforcement down there in wider numbers to patrol, catch...or ward off this crap. Put a few more cops down there and it may help athough it is hard to be everywhere at once....even on the green way. Something needs to happen though......

Sadly that doesn't exactly jive with our current culture of "no new taxes and lower the ones we have".

Sadly, Monday night we had another assault that seems to be the same two guys. Certainly, it is in the same M.O., the same description of the attackers, and the same location (between 12th and 13th Avenues). The victim this time lost his phone and his wallet, but no cash. Trail Watch is going to be trying to focus on this area for the next few weeks, and the police have been stepping up the number of patrols they are sending down there whenever they can.


Gabriel

any details on this?

Everything the coalition knows is on our website, here.



Gabriel

Not to take away from the trail watch group, but everyone should be their own trail watch every ride they're on.

Absolutely, when you ride anywhere, you should keep your eyes open. Trail Watch is different because we focus on a couple of trails which have had problems, and we are out there riding BECAUSE we are keeping an eye on the trails. We also have safety in numbers on our side, and we have a bit more experience in calling things in, which shouldn't be hard, but sometimes it can be tough to figure out exactly where you are (the Greenway Coalition is working on that one), and even tougher to get the 911 operators to actually understand what you are talking about! But yes, if you are riding, you should keep your eyes open, and if you see something suspicious, call 911.


Gabriel

be your own trail watch? an individual can do only so much.... plus, really, that comment rings a little like blame the victim... if that individual had been paying attention or dressed different or riding a different bike, it would not have happened.

i don't mean to jump on your shit, but people doing this crap is kind of like cancer - you can do lots of stuff to reduce your risk, but it's impossible to decrease the risk to ZERO. we are all vulnerable.

trail watch offers safety in numbers and a huge visible presence.

in our department, a student started up a commuting google doc in hopes of finding people to ride home with.... kudos to him! that's a great way to improve safety - ride with a buddy or two or three.

just my two cents.

lee