CivFed meeting questions on getting vehicles out of bike lanes
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Randy Swart
Jan 13, 2026, 8:35:41 PMJan 13
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Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
Michael Raizen asked a helpful followup question: can we send them photos? They said yes, through their website, but they did not offer any assurance that they could do anything with them.
I think this is the kind of thing we will have to be doing in the future. It does not replace a visit to a BAC meeting by an officer, but it keeps our issues alive.
Randy
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Randy Swart
ra...@rswart.org
Michael Raizen asked a helpful followup question: can we send them photos? They said yes, through their website, but they did not offer any assurance that they could do anything with them.
I think this is the kind of thing we will have to be doing in the future. It does not replace a visit to a BAC meeting by an officer, but it keeps our issues alive.
Randy
__________________
Randy Swart
ra...@rswart.org
Michael Raizen
Jan 13, 2026, 10:25:03 PMJan 13
to arling...@googlegroups.com, BACList
The Officer who answered my question pulled me aside after his presentation and stated that they might be able to do something with the photo but they have man power constraints. I say we start doing this and see what happens.
Michael Raizen
571-243-9996 (cell)
> On Jan 13, 2026, at 8:35 PM, Randy Swart <ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>
> Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
> --
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Michael Raizen
571-243-9996 (cell)
> On Jan 13, 2026, at 8:35 PM, Randy Swart <ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>
> Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
> ~
> Please make sure you intend to send your message to the WHOLE list before you simply hit reply & send. Thanks!
>
> Ride safe, have fun. You are loved.
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Arlington BAC" group.
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>
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Randy Swart
Jan 13, 2026, 10:37:01 PMJan 13
to arling...@googlegroups.com
What we need is an email address to send the photo to while we are on the spot, not a vague reference to uploading some day to their website. If anybody can figure out that address, please let us all know.
Randy
At 1/13/2026, Michael Raizen wrote:
>The Officer who answered my question pulled me aside after his presentation and stated that they might be able to do something with the photo but they have man power constraints. I say we start doing this and see what happens.
>
>Michael Raizen
>571-243-9996 (cell)
>
>> On Jan 13, 2026, at 8:35 PM, Randy Swart <ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>>
>> Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
>To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/1A1CA6CC-79F6-4853-90D3-BB7486734F25%40gmail.com.
__________________
Randy Swart
ra...@rswart.org
Randy
At 1/13/2026, Michael Raizen wrote:
>The Officer who answered my question pulled me aside after his presentation and stated that they might be able to do something with the photo but they have man power constraints. I say we start doing this and see what happens.
>
>Michael Raizen
>571-243-9996 (cell)
>
>>
>> Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
__________________
Randy Swart
ra...@rswart.org
Steve Offutt
Jan 13, 2026, 10:37:40 PMJan 13
to arling...@googlegroups.com
Hi,
Thanks. What would we do with the photos?
Steve
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Thanks. What would we do with the photos?
Steve
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Allen Muchnick
Jan 13, 2026, 11:30:23 PMJan 13
to arling...@googlegroups.com
Simply file a report and submit the photo here: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Traffic-Enforcement-Request
Allen
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/20260114033659.0299A1A0E73%40mail3.g24.pair.com.
Randy Swart
Jan 13, 2026, 11:59:34 PMJan 13
to arling...@googlegroups.com
I want to send the photo the moment I take it. My phone is littered with photos I had intended to send to somebody and never did. I can't file a report on the spot. But I can attach a self-explanatory photo to a brief email and send it in about two minutes.
And anyway I have become an advocate for pressing the County to contract with Advanced Towing to clear the bike lanes. No police resources needed, instant pain for the blocker, thousands of bike riding snitches to report the blockages.
Randy
At 1/13/2026, Allen Muchnick wrote:
>Simply file a report and submit the photo here:Â <https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Traffic-Enforcement-Request>https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Traffic-Enforcement-Request
>>>
>>> Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
>>>
>>> --
>>> ~
>>> Please make sure you intend to send your message to the WHOLE list before you simply hit reply & send. Thanks!
>>> To view this discussion visit <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/20260114013538.AA3561A0D4F%40mail3.g24.pair.com>https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/20260114013538.AA3561A0D4F%40mail3.g24.pair.com.
>>
>>--
>>~
>>Please make sure you intend to send your message to the WHOLE list before you simply hit reply & send. Thanks!
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>
>
>
>__________________
>Randy Swart
><mailto:ra...@rswart.org>ra...@rswart.org
>
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>To view this discussion visit <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/CAN7Ar_E5ZyHjUD6kTUkAFD%3DXyNboS%3Dbnc2V%3D8R0eGaxZt8ieOg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/CAN7Ar_E5ZyHjUD6kTUkAFD%3DXyNboS%3Dbnc2V%3D8R0eGaxZt8ieOg%40mail.gmail.com.
__________________
Randy Swart
ra...@rswart.org
And anyway I have become an advocate for pressing the County to contract with Advanced Towing to clear the bike lanes. No police resources needed, instant pain for the blocker, thousands of bike riding snitches to report the blockages.
Randy
At 1/13/2026, Allen Muchnick wrote:
>Simply file a report and submit the photo here:Â <https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Traffic-Enforcement-Request>https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Police-Department/Traffic-Enforcement-Request
>
>Allen
>
>
>On Tue, Jan 13, 2026 at 10:37 PM Randy Swart <<mailto:ra...@rswart.org>ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>What we need is an email address to send the photo to while we are on the spot, not a vague reference to uploading some day to their website. If anybody can figure out that address, please let us all know.
>
>Randy
>
>At 1/13/2026, Michael Raizen wrote:
>>The Officer who answered my question pulled me aside after his presentation and stated that they might be able to do something with the photo but they have man power constraints. I say we start doing this and see what happens.
>>
>>Michael Raizen
>>571-243-9996 (cell)
>>
>>> On Jan 13, 2026, at 8:35â€Â¯PM, Randy Swart <<<mailto:ra...@rswart.org>ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>Allen
>
>
>On Tue, Jan 13, 2026 at 10:37 PM Randy Swart <<mailto:ra...@rswart.org>ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>What we need is an email address to send the photo to while we are on the spot, not a vague reference to uploading some day to their website. If anybody can figure out that address, please let us all know.
>
>Randy
>
>At 1/13/2026, Michael Raizen wrote:
>>The Officer who answered my question pulled me aside after his presentation and stated that they might be able to do something with the photo but they have man power constraints. I say we start doing this and see what happens.
>>
>>Michael Raizen
>>571-243-9996 (cell)
>>
>>>
>>> Tonight the two Deputy Police Chiefs came to address the Civic Federation and answer questions from delegates. I asked what we could do about vehicles that block bike lanes. One of the Deputy Chiefs said he and his wife are cyclists and encounter the problem. He usually gives violators "friendly reminders" about why they should not block bike lanes. He said they do the best they can but would welcome suggestions if we have ideas. They also said they are trying to figure out how a technology-based solution could help.
>>>
>>> Michael Raizen asked a helpful followup question: can we send them photos? They said yes, through their website, but they did not offer any assurance that they could do anything with them.
>>>
>>> I think this is the kind of thing we will have to be doing in the future. It does not replace a visit to a BAC meeting by an officer, but it keeps our issues alive.
>>>
>>> Randy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________
>>> Randy Swart
>>> <mailto:ra...@rswart.org>ra...@rswart.org
>>> Michael Raizen asked a helpful followup question: can we send them photos? They said yes, through their website, but they did not offer any assurance that they could do anything with them.
>>>
>>> I think this is the kind of thing we will have to be doing in the future. It does not replace a visit to a BAC meeting by an officer, but it keeps our issues alive.
>>>
>>> Randy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________
>>> Randy Swart
>>>
>>> --
>>> ~
>>> Please make sure you intend to send your message to the WHOLE list before you simply hit reply & send. Thanks!
>>>
>>> Ride safe, have fun. You are loved.
>>>
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Arlington BAC" group.
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>>
>>--
>>~
>>Please make sure you intend to send your message to the WHOLE list before you simply hit reply & send. Thanks!
>>
>>Ride safe, have fun. You are loved.
>>
>>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Arlington BAC" group.
>>- To post to this group, send email to <mailto:arling...@googlegroups.com>arling...@googlegroups.com
>>Ride safe, have fun. You are loved.
>>
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>
>
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>__________________
>Randy Swart
><mailto:ra...@rswart.org>ra...@rswart.org
>
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>Please make sure you intend to send your message to the WHOLE list before you simply hit reply & send. Thanks!
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>Ride safe, have fun. You are loved.
>
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Randy Swart
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Michael RAIZEN
Jan 14, 2026, 9:13:20 AMJan 14
to arling...@googlegroups.com, arling...@googlegroups.com
The police cannot actually charge somebody with a violation unless they actually observe the violation. So what the deputy chief recommended to me would be to call the police nonemergency number and have a roving officer observe the situation. If the roving offer does not come in a few minutes, you can always take a picture, submit it, and relevant information on the website and the police (depending upon manpower) will send a letter to the violator with a warning of the infraction.
Michael Raizen
571-243-9996 (cell)
> On Jan 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM, Randy Swart <ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>
> I want to send the photo the moment I take it. My phone is littered with photos I had intended to send to somebody and never did. I can't file a report on the spot. But I can attach a self-explanatory photo to a brief email and send it in about two minutes.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to arlington-ba...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/20260114045932.33B9A1A1836%40mail3.g24.pair.com.
Michael Raizen
571-243-9996 (cell)
> On Jan 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM, Randy Swart <ra...@rswart.org> wrote:
>
> I want to send the photo the moment I take it. My phone is littered with photos I had intended to send to somebody and never did. I can't file a report on the spot. But I can attach a self-explanatory photo to a brief email and send it in about two minutes.
> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/20260114045932.33B9A1A1836%40mail3.g24.pair.com.
Dana
Jan 14, 2026, 9:40:49 AMJan 14
to arling...@googlegroups.com
So I called about a bad parking job along Eads (not a bike lane, but annoying).
Called Arlington PD Special Ops Parking Enforcement at 703-228-4141 to report the problem. About 20 minutes later, a Parking Enforcement person showed up. As the Parking Enforcer was documenting the violation, the motorist came out and moved the car. The motorist works in a nearby business. Because the documentation apparently has to be complete before the citation is issued, no ticket was issued. Arlington seems to have a catch and release policy. This might need to be addressed some other way.
Maybe Randy is on to something with Advanced Towing
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/arlington-bac/B6B961ED-9C8B-4D4E-817B-8423C31DFD54%40verizon.net.
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