<p>If you run the regular bike lock through the helmet strap when you lock the bike, you can’t steal the helmet without cutting the strap, which makes the helmet worthless. That’s the method all the commuting cyclists I know use. Really.</p>
<p>Sent a link to campus security chief about a SFPD bike & vehicle safety video & he responded this morning that he thinks it’s great stuff. It does sound like he plans to follow through with LAPD & a student cinematographer to make a video for USC & wider CA about bike/vehicle safety. </p>
<p>I suspect they’re waiting to get back on how victims should be treated because it’s a much more sensitive subject. In their shoes, I’d do the same thing.</p>
<p>Whatever my D or any cyclist did does NOT excuse the way the incident was handled by DPS. I respect that it may take a bit of time for them to do all the investigation they need to and figure out how whether they need new policies & run it thru their legal department.</p>
<p>In any case, I’m glad campus security APPEARS to be looking to the “bigger picture” with me rather than just confining itself to the specific incident. It looks like some good will emerge.</p>
<p>Good point on how to lock up bike helmets to the bike.</p>
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<p>I bike in NYC and the one thing that doesn’t get stolen is the helmet. You have to lock tires and seats here, but no one wants a helmet.</p>
<p>And won’t it be a glorious day when helmets are so coveted that they ARE stolen!</p>
<p>OK, it looks like some significant changes are in the works for how future accidents are handled. They are talking about having ALL people knocked to the ground in a bike or pedestrian accident examined by an EMT & transported home. They are also talking working with LAPD to make a bike/vehicle safety video for training of students AND campus security. They are also talking about starting a bike helmet campaign.</p>
<p>Did also talk with them about amnesty RE alcohol/drug ingestion but am not sure how much that will fly, since they can cite folks for DUI/DWI under CA law. That might be a larger issue–maybe they need to watch “Gordie” and similar films to decide waht the school wants to do.</p>
<p>The sad thing is that D is somewhat disillusioned by all of this. She no longer has the trust she used to in those whose job it is to protect her or us. Maybe that’s an important reality check, but she’s most unhappy and upset about that. She now agrees with S’s cynicism.</p>
<p>HImom, wow, that is such good news. You are really making a difference.
Perhaps pointing that out to D might help her frame of mind. Gently point out that people, even professionals in their jobs, are fallible, but things can change if even one person makes the effort. She’s going from blind, naive faith to complete cynicism and needs to find a hopeful middle ground. Maybe what you are accomplishing can help her see that. Also, it might help her if you enlist her actively in this campaign, let HER own it.</p>
<p>You rock, HIMom!!! You’ve made the school a safer place for everyone’s children.</p>
<p>I can understand your D’s disillusionment. I was ready to be disillusioned about the school and how much it genuinely cares about students too over this incident…But that was before DPS and the administrators you contacted not only took an active stance in addressing this particular situation, but learned from it and are moving toward changing policies and making things better overall.</p>
<p>I won’t breath a complete sigh of relief, though, until I know what happened to the two cover-up officers. Once the two bad apples are out of the barrel, I’ll be ready to shed all vestiges of cynicism.</p>
<p>She prefers to distance herself from it for now, but perhaps in time her perspective will change. Intellectually, she knows that good is coming from all that she’s been through but like all young adults, she’d prefer to be invisible & anonymous. She will find her balance in time. If she wants to own any of the good things that come from the accident, that would be fine; if she prefers anonimity, that will be harder to come by, since she feels the entire department of campus security knows her (at least by name) now and she does NOT like that feeling.</p>
<p>Right now is midterm time and she really doesn’t want to deal with any more. She needs to focus on her schoolwork, projects and job. All this other stuff is a significant distraction.</p>
<p>I’m sure in time her perspective will change, as you say. Especially with a mother like you, what a role model you are!</p>
<p>The support of everyone here, especially Menloparkmom and everyone D & I have spoken with has helped us keep our focus on the big picture. We really hope that some important changes will come of this, that will have great implications for the campus and university culture. </p>
<p>I have been very impressed by the sincerity of the chief I have spoken and corresponded with. He does recognize and admit there is significant room for improvement and that he will work toward it.</p>
<p>“I have been very impressed by the sincerity of the chief I have spoken and corresponded with. He does recognize and admit there is significant room for improvement and that he will work toward it.”
Very glad to hear that and sorry it took an accident involving your only D to give them a wake up call![ It also helps that they had pressure from those at the top who are very concerned about USC’s reputation. Nothing like some angry parents asking pointed questions on the internet to get things going]</p>
<p>“I won’t breath a complete sigh of relief, though, until I know what happened to the two cover-up officers. Once the two bad apples are out of the barrel, I’ll be ready to shed all vestiges of cynicism.”
I agree. Don’t let them “off the hook” about the accident itself, because they are making nice noises about changes for the future, however commendable they are. They want you to move on Himom. Don’t until it is resolved. Keep on asking for the official report- when will you see it, what are they going to do about the 2 security officers involved, etc, etc. I don’t want incompetent security people in positions of authority at USC, and neither do any USC parents.</p>
<p>FYI, just got the October parents’ newsletter–the lead story is the school efforts for bike safety, but it’s more in the context that students need to follow traffic laws.</p>
<p>I agree with Mousegray about helmet (non)theft. I bike in a vacation area where, as i’ve been told by neighbors “you can leave your car unlocked with the keys in it, and no one will take it, but if you leave your bike unlocked for a moment, even in your yard, it’s liable to disappear” yet I can hang my helmet on my locked bike’s handlebars anywhere in town, and it’s always there when I get back.</p>
<p>Just got an e-mailed letter signed by President Sample, indicating he’s aware of the incident and that campus security is following up. It will be interesting to see what actually happens long-term in terms of any changes/improvements in security training of officers and students, especially regarding what to do when victims are knocked to the ground.</p>
<p>Will keep folks posted on what I learn.</p>
<p>D is scheduled to be interviewed one more time about the incident tomorrow, in the midst of her midterms and projects. 
Oh well, she sounds like her cold has pretty much resolved. 
Hopefully, this will be the last thing she has to do related to the incident.</p>
<p>Glad to hear that your D is ok and that the situation is being handled at the high levels.</p>
<p>After having spent many years at USC, this is one recent change here I have been glad to see - that situations like this now seem to be more likely to be picked up and acted on by someone with actual authority, rather than languish in the bureaucracy.</p>
<p>Probably nothing I can do, but if there’s ever anything, let me know :)</p>
<p>Thanks! Looks like things are moving forward. It does sound like campus security is genuinely trying to make some changes to improve student and campus safety. I hope it really happens and there is the promised follow-through.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if there will be additional safety sessions/breakouts at Parent’s weekend? Last year, a session was added at the last minute.</p>
<p>Here’s the contact info about Parents Weekend–send an e-mail or call the number they listed & they should be able to help you with any last minute scheduling changes/additions.</p>
<p>[USC</a> Office of Parent Programs](<a href=“http://sait.usc.edu/Parent/tpwfaq.asp]USC”>http://sait.usc.edu/Parent/tpwfaq.asp)
Questions?<br>
Prior to Wednesday October 21, please visit the USC parents website at [USC</a> Office of Parent Programs](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/parent]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/parent), e-mail <a href=“mailto:scparent@usc.edu”>scparent@usc.edu</a>, or call the Trojan Parents Weekend hotline at (213)740-6775. If you have questions after October 21, please check the website. Due to final preparations for the weekend, we may not be available in the office after October 21. We look forward to welcoming you in the Parents Pavilion. </p>
<p>Have a great visit!</p>