To the editor:

As the Commander of the Gulf District with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, I felt compelled to respond to last weeks Letter to the Editor, “Path for walkers and cyclists”. First of all, let me confirm that the path is indeed for pedestrians and cyclists. The deputies on Pine Island are well aware that cyclists use this path. We took the time to find the “Written Warning” issued to Ms. Hendricks, and her male friend. The warning was for “riding bicycles at night with no lights”. I am sure everyone would agree that riding bikes at 11:30 p.m., an unusual time to be riding bikes, but certainly not against the law (if properly lighted), is very unsafe with no lights or reflectors. The bike paths cross many cross streets and a bike with no lights generates a severe safety hazard. This safety hazard would also be of concern for any pedestrians walking on the path at night.

The deputy, seeing these bikes at 11:30 p.m., and in an area of many recent business burglaries, decided to stop the individuals to warn them about riding at night with no lights and make sure the area was safe, since burglars have been known to travel at night using the silent moving bicycles. The deputy was met with a belligerent male cyclist who was with Ms. Hendricks. The deputy tried to make the point that pedestrians have the “right of way” on the path and cyclists must yield to them, when they are riding on the path. I find it interesting that Ms. Hendricks did not mention her male friend’s name. Of course his name was found by looking at both warnings issued that night. Since he has numerous file photos on the Sheriff’s Office web-site, the deputy did a great job in making it apparent to the male cyclist that he was being watched.

The Gulf District deputies are proud of Pine Island and are doing a great job in deterring crime. I am sorry that Ms. Hendricks and her male friend are upset that they were stopped that night. The deputy was doing his job. And it was done professionally as always.

Captain

Richard O. Dobson, Sr.

Gulf District Commander

Lee County Sheriff’s Office