9/21/2004 The bikes are being released! Call ahead to the D.A. Property Release Office before you head down there to confirm you can get the release. (Sorry for the delayed update!)
New York DA Property Release Office
100 Center St. room 732
M-F 9:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m.
212.335.9864 general number
212.335.9480 Peggy Rodriguez (manager)
212.335.8907 Paul Carvajal (assistant man.)
9/15/2004 I got my bike back! See the general info section. Also, there is now a walking map because some people complained that the warehouse was difficult and confusing to find. Also, some helpful instructions were posted on the Times-Up BNC_legal list that are quite helpful in actually finding the way to the warehouse.
9/8/2004 I have updated the tips section.
The police are making it quite difficult for those who were arrested at the RNC Critical Mass Ride to retrieve their bicycles.
To avoid excessive confusion and runaround (you are probably already aware that there is plenty to be had) I am going to try to organize some information. Please contact me with corrections or additions to the information here, and let me know if any of the information I am presenting here is confusingly written. This page is intended to clarify things, not to further complicate.
I will update this site with any new info I receive (feel free to contact me with your experiences).
For those people who do not want to take the ACD, who want to fight the charge (a personal decision, one that I support but for personal reasons couldn't do on this charge): The D.A.'s office is supposed to be making a "good faith" effort to release everyone's bicycles by either the end of this week or next. Note that you will still need the D.A.'s release if your voucher is marked 'Arrest Evidence.' So hopefully you will not have to wait until the conclusion of your proceedings to retrieve your bike.
If your bike was damaged while it was impounded, or if there are any problems that you encounter, get in touch with Times-Up. They may be able to assist with courses of action.
First Attempt
I went to the warehouse at 520 Kingsland Ave (map) in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, where they are holding the bikes. While I didn't get my bike back, I learned a bit of information. For the most part, the sheet of paper titled "Procedures for the return of bicycles" (that you should have received when you were processed at the holding cells at Pier 57 in Chelsea) is correct, although it may be contradictory to what some officials may have told you (e.g. "don't worry about this or that", or "the D.A.'s release form isn't necessary"), and not altogether complete.
Here's a walking map from the Greenpoint subway stop.
If you don't have the voucher (pink sheet) for your bicycle, but you have your arrest number, or if you know your Arresting Officer's badge/shield number, try contacting the Property Division at the D.A.'s office at 212-335-8907. Having a voucher number is supposedly as good as having the voucher itself.
Read the Procedures For The Return Of Bicycles carefully! If you lost it, you can download a copy here. Despite what you may have been told, the bicycle return procedures appear to be correct, and to the letter, although if you are not familiar with the law it's easy to miss something. Prevent unnecessary headaches and running around by getting all that in order.
The Unit Supervisor of the Property Division at the District Attorney's office is Paul Carbahol, 212-335-8907. Open until 5pm (weekdays only?).
The hours for the warehouse:
8am - 2pm, M through F, starting Sept 7 (T).
The warehouse is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
When I went to retrieve my bike, there was much confusion from the officers on duty about the release procedures. They say it takes about 20 minutes per bike, but I have heard people say it took an hour. Be prepared to wait. Arrive early.
Check the Property Clerk's Invoice (the pink carbon copy sheets - you should have received one for your bicycle and a separate one for your personal property).
If you received a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) (when you were released from the Tombs), it is my understanding that you will not be able to retrieve your bicycle until after your court date (mostly 9/13 and 9/15? other dates?), as it is being held as evidence. You will not be able to get the Certificate of Disposition (necessary for the D.A. Release Form) until after your court date.
If you received an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD), you should be able to go retrieve your bicycle now. If the voucher for your bike is marked "Arrest Evidence" in the upper left corner, you will need the D.A. release.
When you do receive the certificate, make sure you receive an "Official" Certificate of Disposition, not an "Unofficial" certificate. If you receive an "Unofficial" certificate, you will need to take it to the Clerk's office on the first floor (room 102?) at 100 Center St. to get an "Official" certificate. After you have the "Official" Certificate, you must take the Certificate of Disposition to room 732 (The D.A.'s office) at 100 Center St to get the D.A. Release Form.
Make sure you bring:
If you haven't contacted the National Lawyers Guild (tel: 212-679-6018) since your release, I urge you to do so, they have been quite helpful and are looking to gather info about everyone who was arrested during the RNC.
