Re: RC: Re: Re: Road riding question

[Nancy DuPont <Htrails@Earthlink.net>]

Make em sweat?  Let me tell you what happened when I tried to make a driver
sweat! There is about 100 feet of road from my house to the Park Trail head.
Cars leaving the park on a Sunday afternoon are driven by people who have
had a bit to drink at the park.  They speed into the Equestrian Crossing
without regard for the signs.  The Equestrian Crossing is in front of my
house and I can either go the 100 foot gauntlet to the gate or cross the
street about 50 feet the other way. With two beginners on my horses
following me I started down the street. They had not left my driveway.  I
signaled the driver to slow down coming into the Equestrian signed area. I
was worried about the beginners lack of control even though my horses would
follow on their own. The driver kept coming fast.  I had a whip in my left
hand and as he passed, I smacked his driver side window so hard my whip flew
out of my hand.  
Then he screeched to a stop.  His wife was with him.  He accused me of
assault and battery to his car.  After he made a big deal out of it
including demanding I "get off your horse and look at my car!" I did not
dismount.  We looked at the roof of the car where he claimed damage from the
whip. When we looked and found no damage he said, "Well, you can go, but you
better not do that again or I will have you arrested."  
I said no way - I am taking your licence and reporting you for reckless
driving. Then he got upset at me and wouldn't leave, demanding that I once
again get off my horse and show my drivers licence.  My friend, who teaches
for me, told him to calm down. I said, "I will get off my horse," passing my
reins to another friend, "and call 911!" I did this while my friends told
him not to trespass in order to catch up to me to get my licence.  
The call brought two sherriff's cars, one highway patrolman.  Three in all.
We stayed for 3 hours in the burning heat awaiting the highway patrol so
that I could make a citizens arrest for wreckless driving.
The Deputy Sheriffs asked me questions and when I said I hit his car window
with a whip, they winced.  They apparently were sympathetic to me but my
admitting I hit the car made me subject to arrest.  They did not arrest me
however, but warned me.  They stayed while the Black and White came. Officer
Gottfried (whose daughter came to my summer camp the September a year ago)
- I will help you fill out the forms to arrest this man but I suggest you do
not do it. He could slap you with a lawsuit for malicious arrest.
I said I was not interested in arresting him, just getting him to understand
what he did wrong and not to speed again. That he put us in jeapordy.
The Policeman assured me that the man would see the light after he talked
with him. He said that the man needed to respect that it was my neighborhood
and he was intruding.  
It turned out that the man (whose name was Don) was the Chief of the Fire
Department of San Francisco.  A short man complex - very militant and
controlling.  But if I had him arrested, he would have been fired for the
incident.  Fire Chiefs are a form of law. Not supposed to disregard crossing
signs.  

If I had it to do over, I would not beat up a car window with a whip.  The
benefit to me was the guy had to stand around for two hours in 105 degree
heat in front of my house while we waited for the law.  He was as the
policeman said: "Shaking in his boots" when he found out he could really be
arrested. So I wasted my time, but he never got anywhere in a hurry that day.
Nancy DuPont, Executive Director
Heritage Trails
1350 Castle Rock Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Our Mission: To preserve and protect trails and answer the question, "Where
are you going to ride your horses, and where are you going to keep them."
Telephone (925)937-7661 FAX (925) 943-7431


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