Bike Squad is Back in Pawtucket
PAWTUCKET ??? Bicycle Patrol began in the first week of May and will continue to operate through the end of September.??
The Bicycle Patrol program enables officers to be more present in Pawtucket???s neighborhoods. The patrols are conducted at a slower rate of travel and allows for officers to be more observant with less distractions than while operating a police cruiser vehicle.?? ??
The Bicycle Patrol initiative will consist of two officer patrols on the East side of the city and three patrols on the west side. In addition to their regular duties, the Bicycle Patrol is able to effectively deploy officers based on calls that come into the department for issues such as crowds gathering and noise disturbances. ??
Chief of Police Paul King notes that it is important to call in to the department for disturbances or suspicious behavior because that is what initiates the deployment of resources. ???If you see something, say something,??? stated Chief King ???We want to make sure residents know that they are not bothering us with calls. Residents know their neighborhoods better than anyone and if something looks to be suspicious, that call could be the difference in the police getting there in time to help someone,??? continued King.??
???The City and the Pawtucket Police Department have made a considered effort to take a community-based approach to policing through initiatives such as the Neighborhood Response Unit,??? said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. ???The Bicycle Patrol is an extension of that,??? said Mayor Grebien.