Sports
Effective law enforcement on two wheels
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| Photo courtesy of John Pilger Sgt. Ed Lopez, Ofc. Mike Blevins and Ofc. Thomas Johnston are key members of this area’s bicycle patrol. |
By Mike Touzeau, Special to the Green Valley News
Imagine a suspect fleeing down a flight of steps, a fight breaking out in a traffic jam or crowded parking lot, or maybe a couple of night burglars targeting a business’ back doors along an unlit narrow alley.
Those are only a few typical situations that are much easier for crime fighters to handle if they’re on bicycles.
Yes, cops on bikes is one of the fastest growing methods of law enforcement, which is one of the reasons the Sahuarita Police Department’s Bike Patrol was reborn.
The Town Council approved a restart with four officers two-and-a-half years ago for a program that has some history in Sahuarita over the years, said instructor Michael Blevins, who also serves as the high school’s resource officer, and ran a bike patrol unit when he was with Pima CC campus police.
“They were open to it,” he said, “because they wanted us to be out in the community and it’s a good law enforcement tool.”
With six officers on the team now, going to eight by October, the unit continues to create an image of officers who enjoy getting closer to people to prevent problems.
“It generates a lot of interest,” Blevins said, “because it’s out of the norm.”
The imposing armed officer patrolling in his cruiser is still a part of police work, but civic-minded cyclists in uniform not only encourage citizens to approach with useful information, but kids get a chance to interact positively, and potential criminals see a presence in places they thought that maybe they once owned.
“When you want to be seen, you can be,” Blevins explained, “and when you want stealth, you can.”
An officer’s senses are heightened on a bike, Blevins added, which can be a great asset if you think about being better able to hear a disturbance, smell suspicious items, or see something going on that might look like a possible crime.
“You see, hear, and smell a lot more,” he said.
Led by Sgt. Ed Lopez, Blevins and fellow officers Tony Bustamante, Kalene Carl, Thomas Johnston, and Ramone Moreno ride hard-tail mountain bikes, called Police Treks, whenever they can work it into their shifts, sometimes for special events, maybe small areas of patrol where cruisers can’t go, or when they want to create a presence or get behind the scenes.
Law enforcement from all over Arizona have attended the training Blevins provides through the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA).
Blevins, a high school track star and Pima College hurdler who assists the Mustang track squad when he’s not conducting investigations at SHS or helping high-schoolers get straightened out, teaches a one-year course for officers that imparts safety, road rules, night riding concerns, contact methods, and even bike maintenance.
They’re taught how to ride in tough spots, how to actually approach and stop a vehicle from a bike, deal with the public up close, and many other skills, Blevins said.
“We do all the normal things police officers do. We just use the bike as a tool.”
In addition, they do bike rodeos and safety fairs for families to promote safe riding and community education.
They also work Fiesta Sahuarita and are involved in the national Night Out program that organizes neighborhood block parties to educate residents on crime prevention.
Deploying whenever they can and when necessary, the Bike Patrol continues to expand services as well as a trained volunteer force that aids in checking vacant homes and performing duties at the station.
It’s great for the economy and the environment, too, Blevins pointed out, as he cited the fuel savings, adding that six bicycle officers can be deployed for the same cost as one patrol car officer.
“It keeps officers in shape,” he continued, “and there’s less chance for someone to run on an officer.”
Whether it’s crowd control or residential patrol, the bike unit gives the Town one more law enforcement tool it can use to attack crime when it happens and try to prevent it in cooperation with a more approachable police force.
“It’s a support service,” Blevins said, “that enhances our ability to patrol the community.”
Mike Touzeau is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.
Those are only a few typical situations that are much easier for crime fighters to handle if they’re on bicycles.
Yes, cops on bikes is one of the fastest growing methods of law enforcement, which is one of the reasons the Sahuarita Police Department’s Bike Patrol was reborn.
The Town Council approved a restart with four officers two-and-a-half years ago for a program that has some history in Sahuarita over the years, said instructor Michael Blevins, who also serves as the high school’s resource officer, and ran a bike patrol unit when he was with Pima CC campus police.
“They were open to it,” he said, “because they wanted us to be out in the community and it’s a good law enforcement tool.”
With six officers on the team now, going to eight by October, the unit continues to create an image of officers who enjoy getting closer to people to prevent problems.
“It generates a lot of interest,” Blevins said, “because it’s out of the norm.”
The imposing armed officer patrolling in his cruiser is still a part of police work, but civic-minded cyclists in uniform not only encourage citizens to approach with useful information, but kids get a chance to interact positively, and potential criminals see a presence in places they thought that maybe they once owned.
“When you want to be seen, you can be,” Blevins explained, “and when you want stealth, you can.”
An officer’s senses are heightened on a bike, Blevins added, which can be a great asset if you think about being better able to hear a disturbance, smell suspicious items, or see something going on that might look like a possible crime.
“You see, hear, and smell a lot more,” he said.
Led by Sgt. Ed Lopez, Blevins and fellow officers Tony Bustamante, Kalene Carl, Thomas Johnston, and Ramone Moreno ride hard-tail mountain bikes, called Police Treks, whenever they can work it into their shifts, sometimes for special events, maybe small areas of patrol where cruisers can’t go, or when they want to create a presence or get behind the scenes.
Law enforcement from all over Arizona have attended the training Blevins provides through the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA).
Blevins, a high school track star and Pima College hurdler who assists the Mustang track squad when he’s not conducting investigations at SHS or helping high-schoolers get straightened out, teaches a one-year course for officers that imparts safety, road rules, night riding concerns, contact methods, and even bike maintenance.
They’re taught how to ride in tough spots, how to actually approach and stop a vehicle from a bike, deal with the public up close, and many other skills, Blevins said.
“We do all the normal things police officers do. We just use the bike as a tool.”
In addition, they do bike rodeos and safety fairs for families to promote safe riding and community education.
They also work Fiesta Sahuarita and are involved in the national Night Out program that organizes neighborhood block parties to educate residents on crime prevention.
Deploying whenever they can and when necessary, the Bike Patrol continues to expand services as well as a trained volunteer force that aids in checking vacant homes and performing duties at the station.
It’s great for the economy and the environment, too, Blevins pointed out, as he cited the fuel savings, adding that six bicycle officers can be deployed for the same cost as one patrol car officer.
“It keeps officers in shape,” he continued, “and there’s less chance for someone to run on an officer.”
Whether it’s crowd control or residential patrol, the bike unit gives the Town one more law enforcement tool it can use to attack crime when it happens and try to prevent it in cooperation with a more approachable police force.
“It’s a support service,” Blevins said, “that enhances our ability to patrol the community.”
Mike Touzeau is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.
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