Bike patrol reinstated

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Sunday, June 21, 2009

The police department’s newest system to fight crime moves quietly on the streets, the up-keep is incredibly small and it even is earth friendly.

Selma’s streets will be patrolled by an 1885 invention called the “safety bicycle.”

The Selma Police Department recently reinstated the Bike Patrol.

“With the bike patrol we are going to be in the crime hotspots,”Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley III said. “The last couple of nights we have been out and that’s the key – to get out there and do everything from issue loud music citations to making arrests for things like possession of drugs.”

Thursday proved just how effective the use of the bike can be on the road.

Officers on bikes were in the 1400 block of Eugene Street and saw a man holding something in his hand.

“Once the man saw the officers on the bikes he opened the driver side door and dropped something in the seat,” Sgt. Doug Stewart said. “The man then sat down on that seat. When officers asked him to step out, they found a white rock-like substance that is believed to be crack cocaine.”

The officers arrested Robert Reese, 60, and charged him with unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He was placed in the Dallas County Jail under a $5,000 bond.

Right now only a few officers are certified to ride bikes, but starting June 29 training will begin for other officers.

“We have a lot of supervisors who can ride the bikes, but we want to get the young officers out there,” Riley said. “We have already gotten a few out to get up their stamina.”

The police department had a Bike Patrol Unit at one point, but it was phased out. However with the 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant awards, Riley saw an opportunity to start up the program again.

The Selma Police Department received $113,000 that included a boost from the stimulus package.

The money from that grant will pay for the training and equipment for the bike patrol.

“Officers will be taught bicycle safety, maintenance, riding techniques, suspect approach techniques, tactical dismounts, obstacle negotiations, emergency skills and legal issues,” Stewart said. “Officers will be required to attend the school for certification.”

The department hopes that as more officers are trained, then they will be able to place more police on the streets in the high crime areas.

Benefits of a bike patrol range from cost to public relations. Bikes have very low maintenance and do not require any funds for fuel. Bicycles also can go where cars cannot and they also allow the element of surprise because people cannot hear them approach.

Officers have been hitting the streets at dusk and stay out until the early hours of the morning.

“We start the patrol at sunset because it gives you daytime and nighttime hours,” Riley said. “A lot of crime happens at night, but we need to be out in the day too. Another reason to start later is the heat.”

Officers riding bikes have had a place to cool down for a bit while they get acclimated to riding a bike for nearly seven hours. The department has also been sending out the large mobile unit, which is an RV.

The police have also been sending out special units purposely looking for larceny crimes as well.

“We look at the bike patrol as another way to help fight crime,” Riley said. “I think it is going to be a great tool and I look forward to getting out even more officers on bikes.”

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