Officer encourages cautious bike-riding
I am writing this to thank Officer Friendly of the Purdue Police, for saving my life.
I was riding my bike home from class, and the caring Officer stopped me. He said that
he was giving me a warning for running the red light. While I was stopped, this got
me thinking. I could have died out there, running that red light and all. I shouldn't
have been so careless. Granted there were no cars for at least two blocks, but you
never know. A car could have whipped out of University Street garage and taken me
out. It also occurred to me that while I was riding so recklessly, I could have
injured someone else or myself. What if I had hit one of the 20 jaywalking
pedestrians on Third Street by the Armory? Then how would I feel, since it would have
been completely my fault? I'm just happy that the officer was spending his time with
me, instead of being on patrol for people stealing cars or burglarizing homes. After
all, riding a bike recklessly could potentially kill someone, but that's not as
likely for grand theft auto. So thank you, Officer Friendly, for stopping me before I
did any harm to myself or other Purdue students.

Ben Penzick

Sophomore, School of Technology