Expect More Officers Bicycling this Season, Lafayette Police Updated Their Patrol Bikes
Lafayette police bikes will be back in action starting this spring. Several of the department's bicycles were updated to meet Indiana's emergency vehicle laws.
By: Micah Upshaw, March 24, 2021, WLFI Channel 18
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) -- These warmer temperatures bring a great reason to pull out the bicycles. At least, that's the case for Lafayette police. And it came just in time as the department has just updated several of its patrol bikes.
Be prepared to see several more LPD officers commuting by bicycle this spring. The department is in the process of updating all its bikes to meet state emergency vehicle requirements. The department's bikes have always met requirements however, it was time to replace and update the equipment. Bike patrol officers will spend most of their time focusing on the parks and various city neighborhoods. While these bikes are resourceful when traveling to areas where a police car or emergency vehicle can't fit, it's also used as a tool for community outreach.
"It was taking a little bit of time but we got some new equipment that we were able to outfit our bikes so that we're back up to speed and able to handle everything that we need to on our bikes," said LPD Officer Greg McDaniel.
The bike updates include brighter lights and louder sirens.
"It allows us to do everything we need to on the street, whether that be a pursuit of some kind, to warn other cyclist or pedestrians or even motorists that we're out on the streets or even nearby," said McDaniel.
But for McDaniel, his favorite part of the program is the unique way it's able to help police connect with the community.
"A lot of people ride bikes and that's something that allows us to really relate to people and it also makes us more approachable, you know, when you're driving around in your squad care you don't get as many people who just want to stop you and talk to you about something," said McDaniel.
He said a strong connection with the community and local law enforcement can actually help cut down on crime and this bike program is just another tool to help bridge the gap.
"We do need the whole community to get our job done," said McDaniel. "The more that we can do to make ties with the community, that we can start conversations, that we can show that we are real people just like they are even though we do a job that's very noticeable. It's really important to be able to make those connections."
Officer McDaniel's helped bring this bike program to Lafayette in 2006. And it takes 40 hours of training before officers can actually patrol on the bikes.