Police Bike Patrol in Venice Florida
Posted by Tracy Jones on Wednesday, September 5th, 2012 at 8:36pm.
The latest tool in fighting crime in Venice is the bicycle. Six Venice police officers will be patrolling areas of Legacy Trail and Venetian Waterway Park, downtown shopping areas, the beach, parks and some gated communities and their golf courses. It provides access to places police cannot gain in vehicles.
“This is another way of getting out in the community and fighting crime,” Chief Tom McNulty said of the new unit that is part of his COP (Community Outreach Program). “The bikes are stealth and officers are eager to use them in many capacities.”
Officer Dan Schuler has been the only officer using a bike for the past two years. Now as one of six, he says “anytime it’s possible, we park our patrol cars and go on the bikes. We are definitely more approachable. It’s a good way to learn what the people who live and work here want in their police service.”
Riding a bike is not just kids’ play. The officers had to train to work while riding at both fast and slow speeds and long distances.
Information courtesy of Pam Johnson, Marketing and Communications Officer, City of Venice.
For more information on Venice, Florida, visit http://gulfshoresrealty.com/ .