Lions learn of Bike Patrols
By Bradly Gill, News Editor, Camden News, July 25, 2020
Camden Police Department Public Information Officer Dana Wetherbee and Officer Ashley Watts spoke to the Camden Lions Club Wednesday at Catherine’s Bistro and updated the club on Camden’s bike patrol.
Wetherbee said, “We are very active in patrolling. Officer Watts is in charge of the bike patrol.”
Watts said that the patrols not only keep the community safe, but they offer a more personal experience between the officers and residents.
Watts said, “I like to use it for more community-oriented type stuff, I feel like we’re more approachable than when we are in a car. I feel like the youth will normally flag you down and want to talk and I like that communication because I feel like a lot of time, as law enforcement, the only type of interaction we have with them is negative.”
Requests have come from the community for officers to patrol the Trace during early morning and late evening hours.
Currently there are three officers assigned to the patrol, with a fourth on the way. Watts said that they must patrol two hours every pay period.
Wetherbee said the patrol can also be used in neighborhoods when police would need to keep a low profile to catch individuals breaking into cars or houses or access streets that may not be able to be traveled by car because of downed trees.
CPD will also be a part of Camden’s Great Outside Fun Day on August 8 with a bike safety training course to coincide with the 10k Bike Fun ride.
“We hope when COVID dies down we can re-do our program and do more bike safety programs for the kids and be able to give them helmets and kneepads and that kind of thing, so when they are out riding their bikes they have the kind of gear they need,” Wetherbee said.