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Grand Island Police Department Say Officers On Bikes Are More Approachable

By Andrea Braswell, Reporter, NTV ABC Nebraska, July 1, 2016

Grand Island, NE -Police in Grand Island may be pulling you over on a bike this summer.

As a way to reach heavier crime areas they say they're increasing their bike patrol team.

Although, fighting crime isn't all they are good for.

They say it's also a less threatening way to engage with the public.

Grand Island Police Officers say they actually get ten times more positive interaction with people on a bike than they do in a patrol car.

"We are a little more approachable on a bicycle," said Police Officer Jesse Parker.

For that reason the Grand Island Police Department has added ten more bike riding officers.

"We get waved at a lot, we get smiles, and people want to talk to us," Officer Parker said.

Don't take these guys for a joke; they say riding bikes actually makes it easier to approach criminals.

"Coming up on a suspect unknown they really don't recognize a bike officer riding up on them," said Police Officer Eric Olson.

They can also maneuver easily through alleyways and tight spots.

"It allows you to go places a police car can't get to a lot of the times," Officer Olson said.

Speeding past an officer on bike patrol can still get you a ticket.

"They are a little surprised when we work traffic operations and start flagging vehicles over," Officer Olson said.

No matter distance the wheels are turning.

"Sometimes we have to cross town on a bicycle, and we'll respond to that call," Officer Parker said.

Whether riding in a big white patrol car or a slender mountain bike Officer Eric Olson and Officer Jesse Parker say they're getting the job done.

"We take calls, we work accidents," Officer Olson said.

The police officers say they're trained on bike safety and typically work shifts as a two man team.

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