Three police departments receive donated bikes
by Rachel Trotter, The Standard-Examiner, TUESDAY, MARCH 03, 2015 - 9:45 AM
Drew Johnson, owner of Ogden’s City Cycle, donated police bicycles to the Ogden, Harrisville and North Ogden Police.
OGDEN – Drew Johnson, owner of Ogden’s City Cycle has a great deal of respect for the police, so he wanted to show it. He donated police bicycles to the Ogden, Harrisville and North Ogden departments last week.
The Cannondale Police bikes are outfitted to work for police and ready for use. The bikes are about $1,200 to $1,400 each and are designed specifically for law enforcement.
“I think it’s always good to have more police presence,” Johnson said.
“The police have been getting really beat up lately and it makes me mad,” Johnson said. “We just want them to know we love them.”
The cities are feeling the love. Harrisville Police Chief Kevin Jackson said the bike will be put to use right away. His force only has one other police bicycle and it is 10 to 15 years old. Now, Jackson can add it with the other one and make some repairs to the old one. The city now has two parades and a torch run and Jackson likes to use bicycle patrols for those events. With two bikes, it will be more efficient.
“Bike patrol has its merits. You can see better. You can hear better,” Jackson said.
Both Jackson and North Ogden Police Chief Kevin Warren said catching criminals is more efficient with a bike.
“It’s not unheard of to ride up on crimes in cases like auto burglaries and things of that nature,” Jackson said.
“It kind of puts them in stealth mode because they can roll up on things and no one detects them,” Warren said.
Both chiefs like the visibility it gives their departments, especially at outdoor events. They can also be used easily in parking lots during events as well, Warren said.
Now Warren can use the two old bikes they have for training and get the new one out on the road and put it to work.
“Sometimes bicycles are down on the list with the budget so this is a bonus to be able to have one donated,” Warren said.
Johnson lives in North Ogden, owns a business in Ogden and has worked much with former Harrisville police officer Chris Rowley, who is an avid bicyclist.
“We really appreciate this fantastic donation and it is a much needed and welcomed addition to our police department,” North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor said. “We appreciate businesses who view themselves as members of the community and actively take part in making the community better.