Vernon Cops Get E-Bike Grant From Gary Sinise Foundation
Vernon police will now have additional patrol options with a fleet of e-bikes.
By Chris Dehnel,,Patch Staff, September 15, 2023
Vernon police will now have additional patrol options with a fleet of e-bikes, courtesy of the Gary Sinise Foundation. (Chris Dehnel/Patch )
VERNON, CT – The town of Vernon is to receive a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation that will fund the purchase of four, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly electric mountain bikes for police officers to use for patrol and community policing.
The grant for $21,523 was secured by Nichole Greco, Vernon's project and grant coordinator in administration while working with police Capt. Lucas Gallant.
The grant covers 100 percent of the cost of the e-bikes. The Vernon Town Council approved the grant application in May.
"We are always looking for grants and other opportunities to enhance the services we offer our residents," Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne said. "These e-bikes will enhance the police department's ability to protect and serve our residents."
The new electric mountain bikes will replace traditional mountain bikes. Officers will receive special training to ride the bikes on patrol.
The Gary Sinise Foundation, established by the actor best known for his roles in the movies "Forest Gump" and "Apollo 13" and the TV show "CSI-NY," is designed to aid veterans, first responders, severely wounded veterans and the families of fallen members of the military.
"We encourage our employees to be creative and innovative and this grant is a perfect example of that," Town Administrator and Emergency and Risk Management Director Michael Purcaro said. "Captain Gallant came up with an idea to enhance community policing and engagement efforts with e-bikes, then worked with administration to find a way to fund them at no cost to taxpayers. We are truly grateful to the Gary Sinise Foundation for its generosity and recognition of the good work our officers do for our community."
Getting police officers out of patrol cars and onto bikes is ideal for community policing initiatives and for special events, such as July in the Sky and National Night Out, Gallant said.
"Officers on bikes can more readily stop to talk with residents to learn about their concerns, answer questions and build relationships," Gallant said. "Bikes can also get into places patrol vehicles can’t, such as our trail network."