Alton Police to Restart Bicycle Patrols
ALTON IL — City police are back in the bike saddles again, after putting up their two-wheelers for eight years.
“The (bicycle patrol) officers are able to make arrests when officers in marked cars are not able to do so,” Alton Police Chief Jake Simmons said during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Riverfront Park amphitheater for a public kick-off of the resurrected program.
Mayor Brant Walker also praised the program.
“It is a great idea. Chief Simmons brought this to my attention when we were talking about community policing,” Walker said. “I think it is terrific that Madison County Transit District is supporting us. It is a great example of the Police Department working with the citizens in community policing. I couldn’t be happier.”
Simmons said the officers can quickly and more unobtrusively arrive at an incident or to arrest a suspect, particularly if he or she is not expecting a police officer to be arriving on a bike.
“The Alton police are concerned not only with high-visibility crimes, but with minor offenses, which contribute to fear of crime and negatively affect public perception of city or neighborhood safety,” Simmons said. “Bike patrol officers are often able to make arrests when patrol officers in a marked squad car would not be able to, simply because the bike patrol officer’s presence is not detected until they arrive on scene, or an offender does not realize they are a police officer until they are unable to get away.
“A bike patrol officer may also be more approachable than a patrol officer in a marked squad car,” Simmons said. “The bike patrol officers will be tough on crime while, hopefully, cultivating relationships and building trust with residents in neighborhoods to identify and eliminate crime in focused areas.”
A side benefit is that the bikes will save on fuel expenses, he said.
Within the hour, Lt. David DeWall and detective Jennifer Tierney were out on patrol, cruising west down East Broadway on their retooled, decked-out F-500 Raleigh mountain bikes instead of traveling inside patrol cars.
“The guys want to get out, get exercise and fight crime,” Simmons said. “They will work all over Alton.”
The Alton Police Department initiated the first bike patrols in 1999 under former Chief Don Lovell, with now Pfc. Vince Warlick as one of two officers dedicated to the patrols that centered on the mid-city, Weed and Seed neighborhoods. The patrols were discontinued, started up with two other officers, then stopped eight years ago.
Simmons said when he became chief in May, he discovered the bikes in the sally port at the Donald E. Sandidge Alton Law Enforcement Center, gathering dust and cobwebs. He said he approached DeWall, who is in charge of the Support Services Division, who liked the idea, and solicited volunteers.
“I was surprised at the number of officers who want to do this,” the chief said.
The invitation went out to the entire Alton police force, with 14 officers signing up, including two detectives and Warlick. The officers will ride the bikes during both day and night patrols. Simmons said another difference between the 2013 program and the two programs in the past is that police will cover the entire city via bicycle, including Downtown, parks and bike trails.
Simmons said the patrols would involve regularly scheduled officers, and no overtime.
To help police cover the distance, Madison County Transit District is allowing police to affix their bikes on the buses’ front racks and ride free. Officers also occasionally will use a marked squad car equipped with a bike rack to transport the bicycles throughout the city.
MCT Managing Director Jerry Kane said the agency “is very excited to hear about this program. It makes them more approachable. We are glad to be part of it and look forward to seeing the system grow.”
Wild Trak Bikes Inc., 1001 E. Broadway, refurbished the bicycles that date to 1999, replacing sprockets and gears at cost. Drug Free Alton Coalition paid for the work, along with buying helmets and shirts with reflectors. Wild Trak owner Tom Harp said while the bicycles are mountain bikes, they were converted for urban use.
“They need something durable to handle the stress of urban use,” he said before the news conference.
“They asked me to perform miracles; that’s what I do on a daily basis,” Harp said during the event.
“They went together swimmingly; they will be able to use them without any issues,” he said about the bicycles.
“We could not be more grateful for this opportunity,” said Melanie Nagle, coordinator of Drug Free Alton Coalition. “We are excited this fits with our mission of getting out with the community.”
Hunterstown resident John Stephan, 70, said he is glad to see the bike patrols return.
“This is the third time I’ve seen it come around,” he said. “I’m happy it is back.”
After the short event at the amphitheater, the rain had cleared, police loaded the bikes on the front of a MCT bus, and the entourage headed to Stephan’s home in the 900 block of Sixth Street. There, he had posted his yard sign: “Welcome Back APD Bicycle Patrol,” providing police with a photo opportunity.
“This is my second time to put it up,” Stephan said. “It is my third go-around. It is unbelievable. There are a lot of things that need to happen. I’ve got my hopes up.”
He said in the past, the patrols did make a difference in his neighborhood.
Simmons then sent off DeWall and Tierney on their first patrol mission.
“Everybody will come out now that it has stopped raining; let’s make some arrests,” Simmons said.
In the event of a custody arrest, the bicycle officers will call for an in-car officer to bring the suspect to Alton City Jail.
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/local/article_2599121e-008b-11e3-94f7-0019bb30f31a.html