By Steph Crosier
[1]BELLEVILLE, ON (11/07/11) Constable Mark Hall explains that the new bicycles are able to go places the regular cruisers can't. Photo by Steph Crosier
Belleville Police today announced a new element of surprise they hope will catch law-breakers and law abiders where they don’t expect it.
They announced a new bike patrol program.
“A pleasant surprise for people who don’t do anything wrong but they like the idea of having that police officer right around the corner on a bicycle,” said Constable Mark Hall.
“This is one more tool,” said Chief of Police Cory McMullan. “One more initiative that the Belleville Police service is able to implement to enhance safety and the presence of police officers in the community and to enable our members to get to locations previously they wouldn’t be able to.”
The bikes are ideal for fairs, concerts, festivals, and parades. Hall said they are perfect in congested areas.
“There are just places that cruisers can’t go,” said Hall. “The trails, the parks, and honestly in congested areas they are quicker. I can get from A to B quicker on a bicycle than I can in a cruiser sometimes.”
Hall said that he could do anything on a bike except bring in a prisoner.
“My first day out on the bicycle I was writing a bylaw ticket for liquor infractions and for people riding on the sidewalk,” said Hall. “But I also went to a domestic dispute in progress. I stopped a possible impaired driver. There’s nothing I can’t do on a bicycle and sometimes its just having somebody close by.”
The Belleville Police previously had four other bikes on a patrol a couple of summers ago. Hall said that the bikes had fallen into disrepair. So the police fixed up the best two of the four bikes for daytime use.
“The other two were fixed up enough for a kid to use,” Hall said. “They were donated to a local group home.”
The new bikes have all the gadgets officers will need on the road or trail. Specifically made for police use by Fuji bikes, they include reflectors all over the bike, a carrier bag, radio, the classic blue and red flashing lights, and even a siren.
“The bikes are light-weight,” said Hall. “They have high-end components disc brakes, full front end suspension, they are lit with emergency lighting and sirens and total package for the rack, the bag, the bike, the helmet, and the light kit comes in just under $2,000 per bicycle.”
Sponsors from Hanley Corp., Kelsey’s, Montanas, Canadian Tire Belleville, and Peter Smith Chevrolet footed the bill for the bikes.