photo by Diane Krauthamer
“Dear PoPville,
i didn’t get to thank a very kind stranger for intervening on my behalf. i (a female) was biking by myself around 11:30 pm on friday night, headed north on 6th st in southeast. as I was approaching the intersection of 6th and penn, there was a man in the street that was shouting at cars. i stopped a good way back from the intersection so as not to interact with him as i waited for the light to turn green. unfortunately for me, he saw me and rushed towards me yelling nasty things and getting incredibly and uncomfortably close. he was blocking my bike and screaming in my face and i did not know how i was going to get away from him.
the driver of a jeep(?) (also waiting for the light to turn green) got out of his car and intervened on my behalf. he told the man to leave me alone, etc, allowing me to escape. im not sure what i would’ve done without his help- i was quite scared and thus rode away shaking but feeling grateful for kind strangers. if that’s you (or you know them), please know i am very very grateful! keep being kind!!”