Arrest charges dropped for FL teen

[Velocipede]

An update on Javier and his being arrested after his stop sign incident.

https://www.bikelaw.com/2020/02/arrested-teen-cyclist/

[redir]

Good! He most certainly didn't deserve a felony that would ruin his life.

Now just imagine this kid goes on to be a pro bike racer, that would be cool!

[parris]

This is just my opinion, but at most he should've snagged a ticket. The way the deputy handled the incident appeared on the video to be over the top.

The deputies actions alienated not just one family or group of cyclists. The path he chose to take will likely alienate many people that are friends and family of anyone that's close to the group that was there during the arrest.

[Peter P.]

G...
Now just imagine this kid goes on to be a pro bike racer, that would be cool!...

...or a police officer.

[echappist]

Anyone know if the kid was defended pro bono or if the family needed to pay for lawyer’s fees?

[bikingshearer]

That cop was looking for an excuse to assert (abuse) his authority. Write the ticket for running a stop sign (if that was the underlying infraction), lecture him if you need to, move on. This should have been a non-story. The cop is completely responsible for escalating it to the point of absurdity. A felony? A first-day student at a Police Academy (the real thing, not the movie) knows better.

I'm glad justice finally prevailed, albeit far too slowly. It says here that the only reason - and I mean the 100% only reason - for this outcome is the cop's body cam. No body cam, a harsher outcome for the kid.

I am most decidedly not anti-cop. I am anti-bad cop. On at least this occasion, this was a power-abusing bad cop. It would behoove that department to keep a very close eye on this guy - this may have been an aberration or he may straighten out, but this incident indicates that he has the potential to cause very real problems, and possibly a very real tragedy, unless he gets better training, more supervision and an attitude adjustment, and gets them right now.

[Tony]

That cop was looking for an excuse to assert (abuse) his authority. Write the ticket for running a stop sign (if that was the underlying infraction), lecture him if you need to, move on. This should have been a non-story. The cop is completely responsible for escalating it to the point of absurdity. A felony? A first-day student at a Police Academy (the real thing, not the movie) knows better.

I'm glad justice finally prevailed, albeit far too slowly. It says here that the only reason - and I mean the 100% only reason - for this outcome is the cop's body cam. No body cam, a harsher outcome for the kid.

I am most decidedly not anti-cop. I am anti-bad cop. On at least this occasion, this was a power-abusing bad cop. It would behoove that department to keep a very close eye on this guy - this may have been an aberration or he may straighten out, but this incident indicates that he has the potential to cause very real problems, and possibly a very real tragedy, unless he gets better training, more supervision and an attitude adjustment, and gets them right now.

Totally agree, well said Sir!

[Keith A]

Thanks for the update and I'm glad to hear this ended well...it certainly didn't start out that way.

[fignon's barber]

I am most decidedly not anti-cop. I am anti-bad cop. On at least this occasion, this was a power-abusing bad cop. It would behoove that department to keep a very close eye on this guy - this may have been an aberration or he may straighten out, but this incident indicates that he has the potential to cause very real problems, and possibly a very real tragedy, unless he gets better training, more supervision and an attitude adjustment, and gets them right now.


This. The focus should now be directed on the cop and what corrective actions are to be taken against him.

[oldpotatoe]

This is just my opinion, but at most he should've snagged a ticket. The way the deputy handled the incident appeared on the video to be over the top.

The deputies actions alienated not just one family or group of cyclists. The path he chose to take will likely alienate many people that are friends and family of anyone that's close to the group that was there during the arrest.

Agree...BUT as I mentioned before..even tho 'arrested', that doesn't mean 'convicted' of anything..I predicted as this made it's way thru the 'system', it would all be dismissed.

The kid sure was 'over the top' as well.

'Problem' is that this LEO sure hasn't changed his mind about 'cyclists'. He TOO has been effected by this kid's actions, words, along with the 'voices' from the riding group as this all unfolded...

MY takeaway?? IMHO and all that?
Don't run red lights. If you are stopped by LEO for whatever reason..be polite, don't be in the auto confrontational mode...

[Ralph]

I live in the county this happened. There will be more of this tough enforcement. And cops with an attitude.

On my way home yesterday morning, a large pack of cyclists came up a 2 lane road near my home....strung out and "mostly" 2 abreast (paceline) and using up so much of the only lane no cars could safely pass. But some would try I'm sure. Motorists backed up behind.

So I'm sure calls to police are still going out to do something about this (cyclists have rights also...2 abreast is legal if not backing up traffic), calls for why aren't they on the trails the public provided, and police will be under pressure to keep everyone safe.

[thwart]

On my way home yesterday morning, a large pack of cyclists came up a 2 lane road near my home....strung out and "mostly" 2 abreast (paceline) and using up so much of the only lane no cars could safely pass. But some would try I'm sure. Motorists backed up behind.


Idiots.

Angering drivers and therefore making it more dangerous for all of the other cyclists out there.

[Peter P.]

[QUOTE=Ralph;2669875
...On my way home yesterday morning, a large pack of cyclists came up a 2 lane road near my home....[/QUOTE]

This is occurring on group rides in my area.

My prediction (or maybe solution) to this will be to require any "group" of cyclists above a certain number to apply for a parade permit, and to hire police escorts. This will force the elimination of group rides, which will be the intention of the ordinance.

Large groups of cyclists do in fact impede traffic, but cyclists are too selfish to admit it.

[colker]

Large groups of cyclists do in fact impede traffic, but cyclists are too selfish to admit it.

Yes. Just because you are out there exercizing does not mean you are a peace nobel prize candidate or even an exemplary citizen to be applauded by the rest of mankind.

[FlashUNC]

This is occurring on group rides in my area.

My prediction (or maybe solution) to this will be to require any "group" of cyclists above a certain number to apply for a parade permit, and to hire police escorts. This will force the elimination of group rides, which will be the intention of the ordinance.

Large groups of cyclists do in fact impede traffic, but cyclists are too selfish to admit it.

Nor do cars have a monopoly on road use, and yet here we are on a cycling forum siding with drivers.

We excel at eating our own.

[Black Dog]

Nor do cars have a monopoly on road use, and yet here we are on a cycling forum siding with drivers.

We excel at eating our own.

Exactly. Would everyone be upset if a tractor was driving down the road taking up the lane? Roads are not just for cars.

[cmbicycles]

Idiots.



Angering drivers and therefore making it more dangerous for all of the other cyclists out there.There is something to be said for the safety of grouping cyclists closer together to make for a shorter pass for cars, as opposed to stringing out a group to make a much longer pass required. More time required in the opposite lane makes for a more dangerous pass and requires much more unobstructed view of oncoming traffic. Now I doubt most group rides actually think this way, based on the group rides I have done, it is more likely they feel they have a right to ride two abreast and darn it they are going to assert their right.

I cant control how a driver reacts if they are angry not much I can do about it. I can control whether I act responsibly towards all parties involved, whether that means taking the lane if I think safety warrants it, or moving over to let traffic pass more easily.