Pedals of Justice: Carrollton Police Department’s bike patrol becoming more visible
Mike Albanese, The Carrollton Leader, July 22, 2015
Photo: From left to right, Officer Wes Crowder, Officer Josh Marshall, Officer Tyler Eberhart, Officer Danny Kim, Officer Michael Harding, Officer Whitney Gaspard and Officer Matt Moorhead have taken to the bikes in the Carrollton PD’s bike patrol squad.
They aren’t equipped with a Chevrolet Tahoe. They may not have a siren. But they still have a badge.
The Carrollton Police Department’s bike force is growing in numbers and is becoming a more visible force on the streets.
“We can do anything on a bike we can do in a car,” Officer Wes Crowder said. “If people see red and blue behind them, we’re stopping them too.”
Commander Andrew Horn said the bike team, which was started back in the mid-1990s, is once again growing in numbers and currently has around 15 members.
The force, however, was hurt by retirements and staffing issues, and although the program never went away, the patrol “naturally shrank.”
“In the past few years, essentially the team got some new blood, and when these guys got out there and rode more, then you get other people realizing that’s interesting, that’s fun, so more people want to do it and it built upon itself,” Horn said.
Horn said there has been a great deal of interest in the squad since the steady growth, especially among young officers.
“This is one of the first opportunities they have in the department … it’s a good chance to grow as a police officer,” Horn said.
Horn said the bike team is also a great community relations tool, as they like to ride during public events that are highly attended. He said the group recently road in downtown Carrollton at the unveiling of the new square. Horn also said the group normally rides during the Festival at the Switchyard, ribbon cuttings and 5Ks.
“Any of those [events] where we can go out there and not only do the traditional law enforcement task, but get to know people and let them get to know us, because it’s a lot more accessible on the bike,” Horn said.
Officer Tyler Eberhart said patrolling on a bike is more personal than being behind windows with a radio.
“The bike moves slower, so you’re able to interact with people you come in contact with … it gets to be more of a face-to-face interaction,” Eberhart said.
Crowder said before each shift the bike team will load a trailer onto a Tahoe patrol SUV and bring bikes on patrol.
“Wherever we go we can deploy all over the city,” he said.
Officer Matt Moorehead said most times the bike time will ride units. He said riding in units is a measure for officer safety and also, “two eyes see more than one.”
He said the bike team is able to patrol Carrollton’s vast trail system, an area vehicle patrol cannot get to.
“You’re able to sneak up on them and catch them before they see you coming,” Crowder said.
Crowder noted he has issued traffic citations and even a DWI while on bike patrol.
Crowder said the patrol car is highly visible and suspects are able to see lights. He explained he was able to ride up next to car and see two girls trying to conceal drugs. Crowder said he was next to the car before the suspects noticed he was there.
“ rode right up to them, and we have that element of stealth,” Crowder said.
“Nobody really expects to see a cop on a bike,” Horn said. “They may even be looking right at you and just not register that’s a police officer … you could be standing right next to them, and they are still in the middle of doing whatever thing they shouldn’t be doing.”
Horn said the bike squad deals with a lot of missing person’s cases, criminal activity, patrolling alleys, and crime prevention.
Crowder said the bike team will split time between getting calls and being on the bike but can ride anywhere from 5 to 7 miles a shift.
Moorehead said there are days where he will just patrol the trail system and has rode at least 20 miles.
“I think the mobility of a bike is crucial,” Moorehead said.
Horn said the police department has started an online form where residents can request for a bike team to come out. He said this is especially helpful in apartment complexes, housing developments and along the trail system.