Bike patrols a smart idea
The Daily Review, Published: June 25, 2015
At the recent Sayre Borough (PA) Council meeting, the police chief proposed the purchase of two bicycles so that the department can begin doing bike patrols.
Many police departments nationwide employ bicycle patrols for numerous occasions and reasons. When compared to driving, patrolling on a bike saves money on gas, is stealthier, provides a faster contact with suspected criminals, and may allow officers to access areas that vehicles cannot, according to the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association.
Sayre Borough Police Chief Dan Reynolds said bike patrols would be great for public events, such as the upcoming fireworks display in August, or annual parades. In cases such as these, officers could patrol on their bikes through the areas that cars could not, and could respond to incidents at these events faster than walking officers.
Just across the border in New York, the Waverly Police Department has used bike patrols. Waverly Police Chief Dan Gelatt said they have had two fully equipped mountain bikes to use for patrols for at least 15 years.
Gelatt himself has taken part in bike patrol school, where he learned riding techniques, practiced riding over steps and other obstacles, and even took the bikes to a shooting range to learn how to be proficient when shooting on a bicycle.
The Waverly Police Department has used the bikes to patrol at night, Gelatt said. The bikes are much quieter than vehicles, so people weren't as easily alerted to the officers' presence.
Using the bikes also puts the officers in direct contact with the community in a way that isn't as easy as when riding in patrol vehicles.
"It's a great way to interact with people," he said.
Gelatt recommends using bike patrols to departments considering starting them.
"Any department that has a village or city where they're expected to maintain public safety, if they have resources and manpower to (have a bike patrol), it has positive benefits," Gelatt said.
Reynolds said the cost of the two bikes, which are $1,600 each, totals $3,200, and the bikes come equipped with the necessary gear to be used on police bike patrols.
That price tag could easily be covered by funds acquired by the department in the recent sale of 12 outdated Tasers, which netted them $3,900.
The issue has been referred to the public safety committee, which will look into the topic more. We recommend Sayre Borough purchase the bikes to provide another avenue for police to patrol and protect the community.