MIDDLETOWN, NJ — In an updated approach to having officers walk a beat, the police department has provided six of its officers with bicycles to patrol Middletown.

"We’ve always looked at our approach to police work as being community-oriented," said Deputy Chief Joseph Braun, who initiated the program. "Getting officers out of their cars and on bicycles reinforces the notion that we are friendly, approachable and part of the community. We want people to feel they can approach our officers because they have a problem or just want to say hello."

The bike patrol started as a pilot program with one officer and a bicycle borrowed from a neighboring police department. During the first eight days that Patrolman John Kaiser parked his car and peddled through his beat, he made 11 arrests, assisted in 22 incidents and issued three motor vehicle summons and three township violations, said Braun.

After a successful pilot program, Police Chief John Pollinger and the Township Committee were convinced it was an excellent idea. 

"I’ve had high hopes for the bike patrol since it was first suggested, " said Mayor Joan Smith. "The use of a bike patrol provides a pro-active, highly-visible police service to the community that furthers our commitment to provide top notch law enforcement,"

"We have always taken great pride in the relationship we have with the citizens of our community in deterring crime," said Chief Pollinger. "The bike patrol is an excellent way to further that relationship."

It took about $15,000, which is less than the price of one police car, to launch this cost- effective program. The money covered the cost of mountain bicycles, training for six officers and other needed equipment. Officers who have received training to join the bike patrol are Patrolman Ernie Volkland, Bob McNair, Anthony Gigante, John Kaier, Patricia Colangelo and Darren Simons

In addition to improving relations with the community, the bike patrol has allowed the department to step up enforcement in places where people are gathering and vehicular access is limited. This includes places such as the Henry Hudson trail, neighborhoods, shopping centers and parks, explained Braun. He noted 11 of the incidents during which Kaiser assisted civilians took place on the Henry Hudson Trail.

Other benefits of the bike patrol include increased speed and stealth. Officers mounted on bicycles can arrive at a scene quicker than those on foot. Arriving quietly without the bright lights and blaring sirens of a car can also prove to be very effective in certain situations, Pollinger noted.

Local residents are also convinced the bike patrol is an excellent idea. "The officers have gotten a lot of positive comments from residents," said Chief Pollinger. "Residents seem quite receptive and glad to see them."

In addition to regular patrols, members of the bike patrol make special trips to visit neighborhood children and mingle with residents. Members of the bike patrol have participated in the bicycle rodeo at the Middletown Swim and Tennis Club and greeted guests at Middletown Day. 

"The officers act as positive role models for the children -- as well as other cyclists -- by wearing helmets and obeying traffic laws, habits that make cycling safer for everyone," said Mayor Smith.

The success of the program has prompted Chief Pollinger to consider expanding the bike patrol to include another six officers . They will use the Cannondale Mountain Bikes the department has already purchased.

The Middletown Police Bicycle Patrol operates year round. The only things that will keep the officers off their bikes are temperatures in excess of 95 degrees or ice and snow on the roads, noted Braun. 

The use of bicycle patrols is an increasingly popular approach to police departments across the country. From 1997 to 1999 the number of percentage of population served by a local police department using foot or bicycle patrol units on a routine basis increased from 66 percent to 76 percent, according to a February 2001 report from the Bureau of Justice on Community Policing in Local Police. 

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