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Bicyclist Struck By A Brick

Written by Columbia Heights News

Monday, 13 March 2006

Today a DCist article, Columbia Heights Cyclists Beware, called attention to a Craigslist posting from an individual who claims to have been struck by a brick, apparently as he was bicycling down 11th Street in Columbia Heights. The brick was hurled from the balcony of an apartment building resulting in the individual breaking a leg. According to the victim, the police refused to take action because they didn't have a "postive ID of the perpetrator" and there weren't any witnesses.

A comment was posted in reponse to the DCist article by an individual identifying himself as "Andrew K." This individual claims to be the originator of the Craigslist post and the actual victim of this brick throwing incident.

I am the original Craig's List poster. Thank you to whoever cross-posted me here and thank you to all those who are adding relevant comments to this space.

My incident occurred across from Cardozo High School on 11th Street, and the object was thrown from a balcony on a building called the Garfield Terrace.

So far, from my CL post, I have received replies from three others who have had the EXACT same experience. If you're reading this and realize that it applies to you too, please follow the link above to the CL post and e-mail me your story from there. I am working on getting this story into the media and can use all the supporting incidents I can find.

We have written Andrew for comment and are awaiting his response. If this post is legitimate, it highlights an endemic problem in Columbia Heights. We have heard stories from a number of pedestrians and cyclists who have been pelted by rocks and other objects by young teenagers. Having a brick hurled at you from any height can easily be deadly especially if the head is struck. This is a heinous crime and should not be taken lightly.

We have started a thread in our forum, Bicyclist Struck by a Brick. If you happened to have witnessed this incident or can relate a similar story of a similar incident that happened to you or someone you know, please contribute to the thread. What can we do to curb these types of crime and incite more police action?

Comments

I've also been hit by stone
Written by on 2006-03-14 11:14:08

This is horrible, and, yes, I believe the report. Rocks have been thrown from these apartments (on 11th street between Florida Avenue and Clifton Streets NW) for years. I was hit by a stone about 4 years ago, but I've seen many more thrown (at me and others). I would encourage passersby (in cars and on bikes) to pay close attention, especially if there is a group of boys hanging out on the hill near the apartments, atop the staircase, or on the balonies. It seems to happen especially when there are groups of peers (a term I use loosely--if there are "adults" present, that does not mean the youths will behave). Also, if you stop to challenge their actions, they may continue throwing stones at you. If I could identify an attacker or an apartment balcony, I'd gladly call the police while they watched.

Rocks hurled at me too
Written by on 2006-03-14 12:48:47

Okay, a year ago a friend of mine and I were walking past Garfield Terrace where were were bombarded by rocks (big rocks, not pebbles)from several teanagers with good arms. Of course we ran. I phoned the police but, unfortunately, did not file a formal report. My friend and I are both Columbia Heights residents and would like something done about this too.null

Written by on 2006-03-14 15:04:26

This is the same complex where boys and men fired fireworks during the national fireworks display of 2005 into the crowd watching from the hillside near Cardozo Highschool. I recall a little boy no older than four being hit while in his father's arms. I left the display for safety reasons since the police were not in the area.

I also want to note that there is a legitamate bike path on 11th street on both sides of the road. If the city decides to develop a bike path for use by residents, it should provide safety for dedicated usage by bikers.

Written by Columbia Heights Resident on 2006-03-15 06:24:50

This is interesting to see this post, today. This weekend, around 11:30pm, Saturday Evening, I was walking home from Mount Pleasant, when this kid stopped me to ask for money. At that same time someone ran up from behind hit me upside the head with a blunt object. The one kid in front pushed me to the ground, at that time and they both ran off yelling "Go back to the burbs!". It was not a mugging, as they didn't take anything. Fortunately, it was not anything that required medical attention and I honestly couldn't understand what on earth would provoke these kids to do such a thing, other than shear hatred!

Neighborhood Watch, Anyone?
Written by Mr. D on 2006-03-17 11:08:36

It seems like there is a general understanding about where this trouble is located. I'm not sure if there's a neighborhood watch program or similar resident organization in CH, U-Street, but if so... Would anyone be opposed to the thought of giving a couple of residents a small video camera for a few nights to try to catch some of this activity?

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 March 2007 )

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