HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 10 13 Regular Item A
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM A
REGULAR X
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL
October 13, 1997
MGR
Meeting
TITLE: Police Department requesting the Commission accept the donation of two (2) Police
Mountain Bikes to initiate a Bicycle Patrol unit to enhance the Community Policing philosophy
of the Department.
PURPOSE: To request the Commission review, approve and accept a donation of two (2)
Police Mountain Bikes from Pizzuti Development, Inc. for the purpose of beginning a Bicycle
Patrol unit.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Winter Springs Police Department has recently adopted a
Community Oriented Policing philosophy. This philosophy creates strong working partnerships
between the Police and the citizens. The Department is continually seeking to enhance the level
of services provided to the community. To make this happen, we must make the Officer more
accessible to the neighborhoods and businesses, and make the neighborhoods and businesses
more accessible to the Officers. One such way to reach this goal is through the use of Bicycle
Patrols.
Over the past several years, Bicycle Patrol Officers have proven themselves to be a valuable tool
of a Police Department. The advantages of Bicycle Patrols include:
· very open/approachable appearance, encourages friendly relations with citizens
· mobility of bicycles, ability to travel where cars cannot (paths, trails, parks, schools, etc.)
· quiet nature of bicycles allow Officers to approach dangerous situations relatively unheard
· positive "role models" for good safety habits, inspire younger children to ride safely
· increased relationship with business owners in commercial districts
· improved relationships with home owners in residential districts
. clean, cost efficient mode of transportation
The Police Department has received a donation of two (2) completely outfitted Police Mountain
Bikes, valued at a total of $900.00, from Pizzuti Development, Inc. to initiate a Bicycle Patrol.
Officers for this assignment will be selected from the existing Patrol force. Plans for the
initiation of this Unit will have regular shift Officers on Patrol in a marked Patrol car for a
portion of their watch, with times set aside to change over to Bicycle Patrol. The Bicycle Patrol
Officers will be deployed throughout the city in various areas, as need dictates. The Bicycles will
be moved from area to area mounted to carriers attached to the Officers patrol car. This ensures
that the Bicycle Patrol Officers will be available and utilized throughout the City, rather than
only a few areas. Officers selected to participate in the program will be trained by the University
of Central Florida training staff. Classes for eight (8) Bicycle Patrol Officers are tenatively
scheduled for late October:
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the donation of two (2) Police Mountain Bikes from Pizzuti
Development, Inc. and approve the initiation of a Bicycle Patrol Unit of the Winter Springs
Police Department..
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: Upon approval by the Commission, allowing sufficient
time for selection and trairiing of personnel.
ATTACHMENTS:
COMMISSION ACTION: