From: cablader@ix.netcom.com (D Miles)
Subject: [sfskaters] Teflon coated Friday Night Skate
Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 02:39:15 -0500 (CDT)

Hi Skaters,

As you all know, Critical Mass is this Friday.  Since there has been 
some concern about skaters receiving some negative backlash from any of 
this,  I thought you would like to hear what has happened in the past 
week.

Last Monday, Mayor Willie Brown was on the channel 5 news commenting on 
San Francisco's "Friday Night Skate".  "They are really having a joyous 
time" said Mayor Brown.  "Law enforcement has always been respectful of 
that and where there is no need for enforcement, (of skate laws)  there 
will be no enforcement".  

Today, I went to Police Dept. headquarters to attend a press conference 
on the latest strategy on Critical Mass.   I got there late, so most of 
the participants had already left.  When I walked into the room,  Vic 
Lee of channel 5 news walked up and struck a great conversation 
acknowledging Mayor Brown's support of the Friday Night Skate.  Captain 
Martel, the police official closest to the Critical Mass police 
planning, came over to us.  He seemed  sort of tense, but as he 
approached he flashed a big smile and said, "Hi David,  how are the 
skaters doing "?

By now everyone in the room was coming over to where we were.  Deputy 
Chief of Police Rich Holder came over, shook my hand and said, "What 
ever you skaters want, we will bend over backwards to help you".  I 
said something like, "uh, uh, uh, oh yeah, uh".  He also said, "those 
bikes, they can just forget it".  

Chief Holder is very impress with the how we have cooperated with them. 
This has been echoed throughout the Police Dept. and City Hall.  We are 
being hailed as the example of how groups like Critical Mass or the 
Friday Night Skate should interface with the City.  That sentiment had 
been magnified as these same officials wrestle with Critical Mass.  The 
Mayor, the Board of Supervisors and the Police Dept. are proud of us 
and place high value on our contributions to the positive image of San 
Francisco.

If that is not enough for you, Travel and Leisure Magazine, that 
magazine that the news says San Francisco is the best pace to visit,  
has the Friday Night Skate listed as a "must do".  Watch for the photos 
in their next issue.

As for Critical Mass, I would advise skaters and cyclists not to go.  
There will be 400 police working the problem areas.  They know they 
won't be able to catch every law breaker, but they plan to VIGOROUSLY 
enforce the laws.  It will be very easy for a cyclist to go to jail and 
get their bike confiscated.  They are already preparing space in the 
jail and they are not kidding.  If you have never been to jail,  it's 
not meant to be fun at all.

Please keep one thing in mind.  A few skaters can screw up everything.  
Just because we're coated with teflon now doesn't mean we can slack up. 
Let's keep on doin' what we're doin'.  Skate safely.  Stop for  the 
lights.  Don't block traffic.  Be courteous to others.  Follow 
direction from the Skate Patrol.  If we all do this, we will see the 
Friday Night Skate live forever.

Keep Rollin',

D. Miles Jr.