Michigan State Police use bicycles to patrol high-crime areas in Flint
By Molly Young, MLive.com, June 11, 2015
Photo: Michigan State Police troopers John Miller, left, and Craig Winnie speak with Stanley Turner, 62, of Flint during a bicycle patrol of a neighborhood near the Evergreen-Regency Town Homes in Flint, Mich. on Wednesday June 10, 2015. Turner said he was glad to see the increased police presence in the neighborhood and after speaking with the troopers about their bikes and various community rides around Flint yelled out "Welcome to the neighborhood," as they began their patrol again. (Christian Randolph/Flint Journal)
FLINT, MI -- State troopers have begun bicycle patrols to have a greater presence in Flint's high-crime areas after the uptick in violence the city has seen this year.
Michigan State Police deployed bicycle troopers for the first time in Flint this week. Troopers will patrol in daylight and in darkness for a total of about 20 hours a day.
Police believe this will break down barriers between cops and the community, as well as create a stronger police presence.
"I think people are sometimes intimidated walking up to patrol car to talk to a state trooper, but when the trooper is on a bicycle, it takes that barrier away," said Lt. David Kaiser.
Troopers on bicycle patrol will use cruisers newly equipped with bike racks to drive to the area they're assigned to during their shifts.
It's a new tactic in the Flint area, but it was used by the Michigan State Police in other areas.
"It gives them a lot of positive interaction with the public, and it gives them a chance to get to know the people in the community in which they work," Kaiser said, adding that some troopers will patrol on foot as well.
Kaiser said the agency is not releasing information on the number of bicycle troopers on the street at any given time, or precise patrol locations.
On Wednesday, June 10, troopers were patrolling areas near Evergreen Regency and Atherton East apartment complexes on the city's south side.