Letter to a coward

A despicable crackhead mugger has been preying on older women in broad daylight in central Hamilton. The scum cruises streets and sidewalks on a blue or possibly black bicycle looking for a target. The older, the better. A frail woman, he knows, is easy prey. When he attacks, he does it from behind.

He pedals up at high speed, and grabs the unsuspecting woman's purse. He doesn't care if she is flung to the ground. Six women -- the youngest 45, the oldest 90 -- have been attacked by the purse snatcher.

Police did make an arrest in connection with a purse snatching yesterday downtown of a cycling bandit. The man has been charged with one count of robbery. This garbage wasn't caught due to the vigilance of our police. No, he was caught because area residences have had enough.

The woman gave chase and a passing motorist stopped to assist and then called police. Two local business people saw the commotion, jumped in their vehicle and also chased the thief.

The man lost control of his bike and crashed at Catharine Street South and Hunter Street East. He then ran off on foot, but was apprehended by the good Samaritans and held for police. The purse was recovered.

Yesterday's purse-snatching victim is the youngest of seven women who have been attacked by a bicycle riding bandit. The oldest was 90. On Monday, a man attacked two women, the first at breakfast, the second nine hours later. The mugging spree began last Thursday, with purse snatching at the corner of James and Bold streets at 9 a.m.

He struck again early Saturday afternoon at George and Hess streets, breaking the 62-year-old woman's wrist and leaving her with facial injuries from her fall. He attacked twice Sunday, first on Park Street South, then three hours later at King and Summers Lane. Those two women are 90 and 87. Monday's victims, both robbed along Hunter Street, were 45 and 72. The attacks left them with cuts and bruises.

The problem is the cops didn't get involved until Monday, setting up a task force. For a couple days their will be a noticeable police presence in the downtown, then they will disappear.

Seniors have complained to police on numerous occasions. They do not react fast enough. This time waiting until four women had been attacked before setting up the surveillance.

Of course Deputy Police Chief Tom Marlor is towing the line saying police put together an operational plan to catch the guy as quickly as they could.

"The investigators were working from Day 1, right away," he said.

The good hard working people of this city need more than rhetoric from it's police, we need action. It's a sad joke that one of the favourite pastimes to partake in while visiting downtown Hamilton is "freak of nature" spotting in Gore Park. While checking out the weirdos can be fun while sipping a cup of joe in one of the nearby cafes, after these attacks, I'm not laughing.

I beg these cowards to get help and I plead to our Police Chief, ask for help if you can't get the job done.

Later,
Kenaz