TPD on last night’s ride
Hey folks, I just got this email from Capt. Perry Tarrant:
Mr. Ryberg:
All of the feedback I received from our staff was positive and indicates to me that you have the capacity and the desire to keep your event going and don’t need our presence. During the ride, it was good to see your safety monitors/marshals asking a few riders to comply with the rules. My observations from both of the events, which I have been present, lead me to believe the core of the group wants to do what is necessary to keep the ride and enthusiasm alive. It is very likely you will see me next week, but only briefly. You will not have direct participation by our organization, but I would offer a couple of suggestions to make things safer for your group and motorist: Please encourage the riders to use lights at night; continue to identify safety monitors/marshals (the vest idea is a good one); share the road; and lastly continue to have fun.I hope you and your group will keep the lines of communication open regarding this and other endeavors that might impact traffic or public safety, so that we can work together.
Good luck,
Perry Tarrant; Captain
Specialized Response Division
Tucson Police Department
270 S. Stone Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-791-4000
–Erik Ryberg
November 1st, 2007 at 8:36 am
I appreciate Captain Tarrant’s willingness and ability to listen and respond appropriately, and thought they did an outstanding job on October 30.
I just wish they had done their homework about us before their show of force on October 23.
“Shoot first, ask questions later” is no way to run a Police Department. Those guys still spook me.