[RP TownTalk] Fwd: [HyattsvilleBikersUnite] Safety alert re: North-east Branch Trail

Tue Jun 15 20:40:37 UTC 2010

Dear bikers, park users and community members,

Please note that the message that has been widely quoted from Riverdale Park
Government shows we are aware, there has been one biker ambushed--not 3.
There were two other attacks in the general area, but the other two attacks
were not on anyone using the trail and the incidents were approximately 5
blocks apart.  They do have in common that they were on or near Park
property.

We are certainly working with all surrounding jurisdictions to try to better
patrol this entire area and ensure that prompt assistance is sent out when
any calls for help come to us.  This would be a simpler matter if there were
not increased activity farther afield for us to deal with also--the hot
summer evenings are here.

Best wishes,

Vern
-- 
Vernon Archer, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland

On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 11:51 PM, Dwight Holmes <dwightrholmes at gmail.com>wrote:

>  Forwarded with permission, post by Joe Scarupa who lives in Hyattsville
> (from his wife's email)
>
> Sent from my mobile
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>  *From:* MARIA BOROJA <mariaboroja at verizon.net>
> *Date:* June 14, 2010 2:04:17 PM EDT
> *To:* HyattsvilleBikersUnite at yahoogroups.com,
> rainier_riders at yahoogroups.com
> *Subject:* *Re: [HyattsvilleBikersUnite] Safety alert re: North-east
> Branch Trail*
> *Reply-To:* HyattsvilleBikersUnite at yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
>     Fellow Cyclists,
>
> Apparently I was the third of the victims of these attacks.  On June 7th
> while bike commuting home from work (from the College Park metro station to
> my home in Hyattsville) I was jumped by a gang of five youths in the
> underpass beneath Hwy 410.
>
> As I came around the right-hand bend to descend into the underpass there
> were four youths (est. high school age) sitting on the pipe railing that
> borders the bike trail on the river side of the trail and one standing on
> the opposite edge of the trail.  As I passed by, the one standing by the
> trail very violently shoved me and bike into the pipe railing which
> resulting in me being thrown off my bike over the handle bars and onto the
> trail pavement.  The force of my collision with the pipe railing was enough
> to bend my bicycle's frame.  As soon as I hit the pavement, all five youths
> immediately attacked me, mostly kicking me.  I managed to get up to my feet
> and struggle with them for a few seconds before they quit the attack and
> fled.  They never said one word throughout the entire ordeal.  Made no
> demands, gave no clue what they wanted.  They did not succeed in taking any
> of my possessions, but after reading the police report about the other
> attacks, I believe I may have been targeted because I was wearing a shoulder
> bag.
>
> My injuries included a dislocated shoulder (probably from my collision with
> the pipe railing and/or subsequent fall to the trail pavement), several
> broken/cracked ribs (from the assault on me after I hit the ground) and
> numerous abrasions and contusions (probably from both the crash and the
> assault).
>
> Facts of particular note:
>
> The attack occurred in broad daylight (about 7:40 pm) with the neighboring
> Riverdale Park still heavily populated with users of all sorts (i.e, the
> attack was extremely brazen).
>
> No one from the park came to my assistance, although I doubt anyone could
> see or hear what was happening... it's a perfect location for an ambush
> attack.
>
> 911 operators were totally incapable of directing any help to my location.
>  As incredulous as this seems, my description of being on the NE Branch bike
> trail at the Hwy 410 undercrossing totally stumped them... they could not
> find my location in their system!!  I finally, after 10 minutes (seemed like
> an eternity at the time) hung up on 911 operator and called my wife for
> help... she was there in 3 minutes.
>
> The Park Police who took my report at the Hospital Emergency room did not
> make any mention of previous attacks in the area, my guess is they did not
> even know about those prior attacks even though it appears that I was number
> 3 of 3.  My experience with 911 and law enforcement officials was very, very
> disappointing.  As a cyclist... you're on your own and should have very
> little expectation of help from officialdom.  Perhaps the attackers are well
> aware of this.  It defies logic why, after the first two attacks, this area
> was not under law enforcement surveillance!!  There should never have been a
> third attack and some m
>
> --- On *Sat, 6/12/10, Nathaniel V. Kelso <nvkelso at gmail.com>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Nathaniel V. Kelso <nvkelso at gmail.com>
> Subject: [HyattsvilleBikersUnite] Safety alert re: North-east Branch Trail
> To: "hyattsvillebikersunite" <HyattsvilleBikersUnite at yahoogroups.com>,
> rainier_riders at yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 2:31 PM
>
>
>
> Friends and neighbors,
>
> Three attacks on trail users have occurred the last two weeks on the
> NE Branch Trail near the East-West Highway under crossing, see below
> from Riverdale Park email list. Please exercise caution, especially
> when traveling at or after dusk.
>
> _Nathaniel
> Chair, Hyattsville Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee
>
> ======
>
> Advisory Message has been issued by the Riverdale Park Police Department.
> Friday June 11, 2010 5:27 PM EDT
>
> Please be careful - recent unprovoked attacks have occurred near the 5300
> block of Riverdale Rd and on park property.
>
> Three recent unprovoked attacks have occurred in the area of 5300 Riverdale
> Road and the parks and bike paths nearby. In two of the most recent cases,
> individuals were beaten severely by several young men. In two cases,
> personal property was taken from the victim.
>
> The description of the suspects has varied; however, all three crimes
> involved more than one suspect ? from as few as two to as many as 13. The
> crimes occurred between approximately 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. between June 1 and
> June 7, 2010.
>
> We are working closely with the Maryland Park Police to help identify the
> perpetrators of two of these crimes which occurred on their property, and
> we
> are following up investigative leads regarding the first of the three
> attacks that occurred on our area of responsibility.
>
> Please be aware of your surroundings and notify us if you see suspicious
> activity or if you have additional information regarding any of these
> attacks. You may reach the Riverdale Park Police Department at 301-927-4343
> and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission Police at
> 301-459-9088.
>
> For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/2492429/.<https://local.nixle.com/alert/2492429/>
>
> Contact Information:
> Teresa Chambers
> tchambers at riverdaleparkmd.gov
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
>
>
>
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