Pensacola Police Department to add full-time bike patrols downtown

by Jennifer Munoz, WEAR-TV, Friday, October 4th 2019

Pensacola Police Department to add 2 full time officers on bike patrol in downtown Pensacola. (SOURCE: WEAR-TV) <p>{/p}

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Pensacola Police Department will add two full time officers downtown to patrol the area on bikes.

Bike patrols aren't new to downtown but because of funding they have been present on and off.

The Pensacola Police Department just received the funding to add the new positions, the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Downtown Improvement Board each provided $60,000 to have the full time bike patrols.

Captain Kristin Brown with the Pensacola Police Department said they'll cover the area from A St. to 17th Ave. and south of Cervantes St. to the water.

"They are full blown law enforcement officers they will fight crime, they will take reports on crime, they will enforce traffic violations," said Brown.

Not only will they be enforcing the law but city officials hope the officers will make better connections with the community.

" You want to be able to build that relationship, we want officer that will take the time to build that relationship," Brown said.

Brown said having them on bikes will make them more accessible and approachable.

"Everybody wants to know the officer in their area, that works and protects them, that they are going to call when they need help," Brown said.

The Pensacola Police Department is currently interviewing for the position Brown said they hope to have the two officers out on the street full time by the end of the year.

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