rockbottom
Steve
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I was on Skyline Drive yesterday and had been about 100 yards behind a park ranger for around a mile. Then he pulled over, flipped on his lights, and gave me a lecture about how "those things" can "easily speed." Keep in mind I hadn't broken any laws whatsoever. The he demanded to know how far I intended to ride on Skyline (which wasn't really any of his business) and felt compelled to correct my pronunciation of "Luray."
At the time, I didn't want to get confrontation so I could just continue on, but now that I've stewed about it, I'm considering filing a complaint. I'm a HUGE supporter of law enforcement but the fact is that there is some tiny minority of them who become abusive as a power trip, and this seemed like one.
Federal. And my problem with letting it go is that he's likely to just keep on with it until stopped.
I'd file a complaint............
jason
Recognizing the situation LEO are in, I really don't want to get the guy in trouble, just find some way to make him think more carefully. I'm less irritated by him pulling me just to "remind" me not to speed than by the piling on--demanding to know where I was going, etc. With hindsight, I think I would have just said "that's none of your business and if you want to elevate this to the official level, let's do."
I realize that we're all suffering from the publicity of the New York City motorcycle morons but I'm a middle aged, highly successful professional who was obeying the law and wearing full protective gear. I don't like being stereotyped.
Federal. And my problem with letting it go is that he's likely to just keep on with it until stopped.
Good for you, rockbottom! It would have been easier to just let it go but making the effort may be making a difference.
I suspect somebody in the National Park Service will be interested enough to read your note carefully and take appropriate steps, if any. Park rangers have a carefully crafted image (Smokey the Bear) and one bad apple will harm that image.
pete
"Be yourself. Everybody else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde
OK, I faxed this:
I am writing to express my concern about an incident that occurred on Skyline Drive the morning of November 2. I was riding a motorcycle on the northern segment of Skyline. For about a mile, I'd been a hundred to hundred and fifty yards behind a park ranger. We were averaging 30-35 MPH. A car pulled out of one of the overlooks in front of me and was going well below the speed limit. I was in a legal passing zone so I passed the car and continued at my previous pace.
About a quarter mile further along the ranger turned on his lights and pulled me. In his words he wanted to "remind me" that "those things can go fast." He did not write a citation.
Three things bother me about this. One was being pulled when I had broken no laws. But more than that, I was irritated that the ranger demanded to know where I intended to exit Skyline (which wasn't really any of his concern) and then felt compelled to correct me when I mispronounced "Luray." I did not make an issue of this at the time because I wanted to continue on but was deeply bothered by it.
To me this seems like an issue where I was painted with a broad brush because of the misdeeds of some motorcyclists. I am not one of the New York City motorcycle hooligans--I am a middle aged professional, a Department of Defense official (my bike had a DoD sticker on it), was wearing full protective gear, and, most importantly, had broken no laws.
I am a great supporter of law enforcement and do not wish to take any formal action. I realize what a tough and vitally important job the ranger has and am thankful for his service. But I would encourage him to think more carefully about stereotyping.
Unfortunately, this fell on deaf ears. "A" park ranger certainly isn't specific enough to even have a clue *who* that park ranger was.OK, I faxed this:
I am writing to express my concern about an incident that occurred on Skyline Drive the morning of November 2. .... For about a mile, I'd been a hundred to hundred and fifty yards behind a park ranger.
Unfortunately, this fell on deaf ears. "A" park ranger certainly isn't specific enough to even have a clue *who* that park ranger was.
Someone already said when things like this happen, the WILL happen again if you allow it without filing a complaint.
"State Police" and Federal Park Ranger are two entirely different agencies, of two very different in size and how they handle "unspecified" complaints. With near 35 years Federal and Military experience, I can tell you no one in National Park Service is going to go the extra mile on a complaint like this.I once wrote a complaint letter to the Virginia State Police when I observed a trooper treating another motorist unfairly. I didn't get enough information on the trooper to identify him specifically but I provided them with the interstate mile marker along with the day and time of the incident. They sent a Sargent from the State Police 40 miles to my home to personally interview me about the incident.
"State Police" and Federal Park Ranger are two entirely different agencies, of two very different in size and how they handle "unspecified" complaints. With near 35 years Federal and Military experience, I can tell you no one in National Park Service is going to go the extra mile on a complaint like this.
However, I certainly applaud VSP for following up. The sad part is, that's the exception - not the rule.