Pedal Power
With renewed attention on community policing, patrol options like bikes have a variety of benefits for law enforcement agencies.
Some years back, the Madisonville Police Department (MPD) began to receive an increasing number of complaints regarding suspected drug dealing and prostitution taking place near a few apartment complexes in a camper.
The layout of the apartment complexes made it difficult for MPD to move in and out of the area in police vehicles without being spotted.
Undaunted, MPD deployed members of its bike unit to gather needed intelligence, which resulted in an arrest, according to MPD Lt. Van Killough.
“The bike unit was deployed and surveillance was conducted,” Killough explained. “The suspected owner of the camper was observed on foot cutting through a trail between the complexes. During the interaction, illegal drugs were located, and he was arrested. After the arrest, the foot traffic and complaints lowered in the area while he was incarcerated.”
Lt. Lawrence Hoppius poses with one of the Newport Police Department bikes outside the department. Hoppius said bike patrols area great way to surprise those engaging in criminal activity. (Photo provided)
Element of Surprise
Police agencies utilizing bicycles isn’t a new concept. The notion of police using bicycles for patrolling purposes originated in England in 1818, according to the International Police Mountain Bike Association.
Bike patrols are effective, and most importantly, would-be criminals are not expecting police officers to roll up on the scene riding a bike, Newport Police Lt. Larry Hoppius said.
“It is amazing how close a bike officer can get to criminal activity before the participants realize the police have arrived,” Hoppius said. “I remember one time when one of our bike patrol officers was able to ride up to a couple of people smoking marijuana and take the marijuana cigarette out of the person’s hand without them knowing the officer was there. Needless to say, they were surprised.”
One of the greatest benefits of having a bike patrol unit is the ability to target high-crime areas, Killough said.
“When we deploy the bike unit, we are hitting the criminal hot spots primarily,” he explained. “Residents in the area are more likely to speak with you because it is more discreet than having a marked cruiser in front of their house. Plus, they see the department is utilizing different tactics to resolve issues. This show that problems seen by residents are important to us, and we are doing everything we can.”
What helps law enforcement to gain the element of surprise is a bike’s ability to get into areas regular patrol vehicles cannot.
“Our city has many alleys and cut-throughs that patrol vehicles cannot travel,” Hoppius said. “Being on bikes allows officers to patrol some of these areas that could otherwise be neglected. Our city also has three bridges that have pedestrian crossings. Bikes are great for patrolling those areas.”
(Photo provided)
Bike units can also effectively conduct traffic stops, Killough added.
“The bike unit has also conducted traffic stops on suspected drug transactions,” he said. “We were conducting surveillance in areas and observed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction. Myself and another officer were able to catch up to the vehicle, pull them over and completed a drug investigation. Suspected crack cocaine was recovered from the vehicle and information was received to assist the VICE/Narcotics division.”
Once an officer on bike is seen in an area, would-be criminals have that in the back of their minds, Killough said.
“The bike unit is effective even when we are not in the area,” Killough explained. “Once we have been observed by residents, it leaves people wondering if we are still around or when others are riding through on their bike, offenders have to take a second look to see who it is.”
Community Policing Tool
Aside from catching the bad guys, bike units have enabled law enforcement agencies to connect to residents in a more intimate way.
One of the most obvious means are community events such as National Night Out and bicycle safety demonstrations, Hoppius said.
“While patrolling neighborhoods where citizens congregate in their yards, it’s a lot easier to strike up conversations or ride around with the groups of kids,” Killough explained. “While in the parks, you are in a bike uniform and able to join in the games.”
Being on bikes allows officers, and the agency as a whole, to build trust within the community, Hoppius added.
“To build trust, you must have connections and contact with members of the community,” he pointed out. “Bike patrol officers have the advantage of making more community connections, identifying more community issues that are important to the residents in the area, and finally collaborating to resolve issues.”
Newport Police Officer Steve McElroy demonstrates his bike’s ability during a National Night Out event.(Photo provided)
Healthy at Work
With many calls and community functions, bike patrol officers log many miles during a given shift. That is one of the many benefits of being a member of the bike unit, Killough offered.
“You not only focus on the exertion of energy to pedal everywhere, but you also have to focus on your surroundings,” he explained. “You want to be in the best shape possible, so that you and your partner can be an effective team. Also, you want to look sharp in the uniform, because you are out in the open more.”
Newport bike patrol officers can easily pedal 20 to 25 miles per shift, Hoppius said.
“That’s a pretty normal shift,” he said. “The second most enjoyable part of being on the bike patrol is the health benefits. In essence, the Newport Police Department is paying bike officers to get a great workout while performing their duties.”
Utilizing bikes can also save the agency money, as it costs an agency between $600-$800 to purchase each bike, but there are no fuel costs associated with bikes, Hoppius explained.The biggest benefit is reduction in crime in areas that are difficult to access, which makes bikes a double win-win for the agency.
“It does cost less to operate bicycles than it does to operate motor vehicles,” he said. “As for suppression of crime, in harder to access areas of the city, the bicycle is a game changer. People do not expect officers to be in the area, but on bikes they can be, and are, in the limited access areas.”
