West Jefferson Police Add Bicycle Patrol

By Joel Frady

The West Jefferson streets are now being patrolled in a new way by local police, who now take to the streets

on two wheels to locate and fight crime. Michael Andrew Smith, who works the third shift for the West Jefferson Police Department, has been spending two to three hours a shift watching over the town from his SPECS bicycle.

Chief Brian Grogan said the decision to patrol on a bicycle was an effort to enhance the department's Community-Oriented Policing and was made possible by a $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart and a contribution by local business Biking Buddies.

"Community Oriented Policing is simply a philosophy of policing where partnerships are developed between the Police and the Community to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police," Grogan said. "West Jefferson being a small community makes it easier to get to know and work with both business owners and residents."

He noted that the bicycle will also give Smith an advantage over criminals.

"Bikes give officers the 'stealth' advantage because they are silent," he said. " Bikes are also less visible than a marked patrol vehicle, thus bike officers can ride right up to the scene of a crime or illegal activity before they are noticed. The bike will also be used to patrol special events such as Christmas in July and our upcoming Halloween Walk.

"Bicycle patrol has been used by many departments throughout the United States with great success," he continued.

Smith said that the "sneaky" aspect is also among the aspects he enjoys of riding the bicycle instead of his patrol vehicle.

"Especially at night, we've had a lot more break-ins and stuff," said Smith. "With the way the economy's going, I'm afraid there will be a lot more. If people are stealing things and they see a car coming, they'll stop and hide. And there's no way you can really see them in a car. Whereas on a bike, you can sort of slip up on them and hear stuff a lot better because you don't have the roar of the car. They can't hear you until you're right on top of them." He noted the same methods can be used to fight vandalism in West Jefferson and pursue narcotics users.

But Smith, who has worked with the department for more than a year and a half, has also enjoyed the "green" side of bicycle patrol.

"It saves all kinds of money," he said. "The way gas is going, people have been complaining about the consumption of gas. Riding around on a bike doesn't use any gas, and keeps me in good shape, which I like." Smith added that he would like to patrol on bicycle more than he has been, but is restrained by the rain and cold weather.

"Whenever you get on riding it, it heats you up pretty quick," he said, but noted that the cold can still be hard to handle. He also can't patrol on bike in heavy traffic, because "it's hard to catch a vehicle on a bike."

To find out more about the bicycle patrol or the West Jefferson Police Deparment, call (336) 246-9410.