BTW, I was called in to look at photos; I didn't have much useful
recollection, but I spent some time chatting with the detective (Bopp, in
the anti-gang unit at Pacific Division). He said there had been five
reports over the last few weeks, so apparently this group is thinking it's
a good time. Most people report them being fairly young (13-14 is my
guess). One gentleman lost his iPod (ripped off his armband), and the
serial number turned up when an iPod was taken from a youth in an
unconnected incident, and I was wearing my cheap MP3 player with white
earbuds, so....it's possible the reason they tried to grab for me was to
grab the MP3 player.

What's amazing to me is that the guy that lost his MP3 player had not
reported the theft until the police contacted him about the iPod they'd found.

Anyway, with five incidents of varying degree, they're concentrating on the
area now, apparently, so at least there is some police response to the
problem. If you see anything suspicious, please call either Pacific
Division at 310 482 6335, or if there's reason to fear an attack, 911, and
specify suspected gang activity in progress. And by all means, if you
*get* any sort of messing with, please please report that in great detail;
even if you're not harmed, the frequency of the event and any information
you can supply is helpful for all of us.


joanny alvarenga wrote:
> thank you all for such valuable information. I have been riding this path
every Sunday for the past year with my another female. We are been lucky thus
far, because our rides have been safe. However, i will reconsider riding that
area. thank you all for the info
>
> [ed. Note: Riding in pairs or groups is certainly preferable to riding alone.
If you commute regularly, consider posting here to see if there are others who
could ride with you.]