Bicycle Patrol By: Chief Patrick J. Reynolds

The first time you see them you may do a double-take! Cops on bicycles in Maywood? Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Roy Sommerhalter of Park Ave. BMW, the size of the Maywood Police Department's fleet has been increased by four Mountain Bikes. The department's bicycle patrol recently made it's official debut. Last fall, Officer's Michael Murphy and Terrence Kenny, along with four members of the Paramus Police Department, had four days of intensive training with a certified instructor from the International Police Mountain Bike Association. Training consisted of basic bicycle techniques of braking, maneuvering up and down steps, how to take down subjects using the bicycle and being conscious of road hazards. One of the greatest advantages in using the bicycle is its' "stealth like" characteristics. The bicycle is basically silent. When people are committing crimes, they keep a keen eye for marked patrol units. Officers on bicycles can pull up to crimes in progress in virtual silence and subsequently go unnoticed. Some training also took place in the Garden State Plaza parking lot. There, officers practiced maneuvering between parked vehicles and other tight spots. While in the lot, officers observed several suspicious situations taking place where the actors involved never noticed that the people on bicycles were police officers. It is our intention in the near future to train at least two more officers and have them also certified by the I.P.M.B.A.

The Maywood Police Department's Bicycle Patrol program provides the Borough of Maywood with a community- oriented crime prevention tool. While designed to handle specific police related responsibilities, the overall goal of this program will be to facilitate a partnership between the Maywood Police Department and the community. The primary objectives of this program will include crime prevention, patrol of residential, business and park areas, promote bicycle safety, assist with special events and foster police community relations.

Each bicycle will be equipped with many of the same items found in a police vehicle including first aid supplies, automobile accident reports, flares and numerous other items needed for an officer to perform his duties. In order for the bicycles to be an effective tool, they had to have several modifications and equipment added to them. Mr. Tony Ward, owner of The Bikeworks in Rochelle Park, was most helpful and informative in assisting us in making the bicycles effective for police patrol. A bike rack has been added to the back of the department's Ford Bronco for quick transportation of the bikes to any location in our community.

It is our belief that officers on bicycles will afford our members an effective method of detecting crime and apprehending criminals, and allowing them the opportunity to communicate with our residents more frequently than occurs when on patrol in a police car.

It is our goal to effectively serve the residents of Maywood, and we are willing to deviate from traditional methods in order to provide the best service possible, and as always we are looking forward to your feedback and input. We are here to serve you!

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