Why???? Mountain Bikes In Easton?
The Easton Police Mountain Bike Unit was established in the Spring of 1994. The main focus for this program started by acquiring State and Federal Grant money, to start a Police Community Orientated Policing Program. By doing this, and since then, the Mt. Bike Program has been a huge success within the community. The Mt. Bikes are being used up at Borderland State Park, where the police officer can patrol and prevent, and at the same time, be closer to the people to interact, and of course stay in shape. Car Beak In's have decreased since this patrol started, and from here, the birth of Police on Bikes started in the Town of Easton. .
There are a total of 10 Police Officer's which ride the Mt. Bikes. All of these police officers have been through State Training and certified through the C.O.B.W.E.B. Program. This means: "Cops On Bikes With Educated Bicyclists". The Mt. Bike Patrol is currently being used and is highly talked about among the community. Mobile Deployment (Bike on the rear of the police cruiser) is highly effective. Since the town is 29 sq. miles and there is alot of area to cover, this type of patrol becomes highly effective. The police officer can dismount the bike at anytime, and pedal throughout the neighborhoods, plaza's, condominium's/apartment complex's, and off road paths. By doing this. the police officer is getting in shape, but also using their 4 senses: seeing all around you, hearing, smelling and feeling the enviornment around them. Here is where the officer can observe alot of things that he or she cannot in the police cruiser. Also, the officer is closer to the people, where the sense of community interaction takes place with the public. This is ALSO good role model for the children in the town. Police on bikes can educate the safety aspects of bicycle safety and educate them how the police officer uses his bike on the job.
Again, this is a growing program and we are always finding new ways to enhance this type of policing. The trend is catching on to surrounding towns. They see how the program works and then they implement it themselves. Check us out while we are on the streets, we will be glad to say hi!