To AM David Siffert & CM Harvey Epstein:Incident in Tompkins Square Park

Five 15 year olds riding Citibikes were harassing a Latina around 7AM Friday morning. The following is an account of my involvement and advocacy for mandatory licensing for youth riding bikes a la New Jersey.***Gentlemen- Yesterday-Friday-I was headed to Tompkins Square Park about 7 AM. On 6th St between First and A there were five 15 year olds harassing a slightly tipsy Latina. Slightly tipsy. Voluptuous. The adolescents were calling her a "pedophile." As I walked by she hooked my arm and walked with me toward Ave A. She wanted a way to avoid the pestering and possibly more aggressive behavior of the teenagers. Inside the park the teenagers came behind and again started with their talk. One in particular. The excuse was to return a pack of cigarettes she dropped. The purpose was to continue the harassment. An older Hispanic man sat down next to the woman on the bench. I walked toward the dog run. There were Parkies near the bathrooms. I approached them. One man. Two women. Described the situation. Asked that they drive by and tell the boys to leave the woman alone and leave the park. One of the female Parkies said that the boys had been around all night-on City Bikes. This indicated to me the value of New Jersey's new regulations requiring youth to obtain special licenses. If I had a cell phone I would have called the cops. Sensible regulations along the lines of those enacted by New Jersey are appropriate for NYC. I look forward to working constructively toward saner and safer sidewalks and streets with