By Lauren Campoine

THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Joe LoCascio, executive director of Ann’s Choice recently presented a check for $3,000 to Warminster Township Police Chief Mike Murphy, for his department’s new Police Bike Patrol Unit.

After the check presentation, Chief Murphy demonstrated the police bike and explained the training program for officers working in the Bike Patrol Unit.

“One of the fastest growing trends in law enforcement and emergency medical response today is utilization of mountain bicycles. The bikes enable our officers to be in closer proximity to our local residents and more accessible to the community,” said Murphy.

Quiet, cost efficient, and effective, mountain bikes are able to bridge the gap between automobiles and foot patrol. Experience has shown that citizens are more likely to approach a bike patrol officer than even a neighborhood beat officer, optimizing community-oriented or problem-oriented policing efforts.

Bicycle officers are better able to use all of their senses, including smell and hearing to detect and address crime. Bike patrol officers are often able to approach suspects virtually unnoticed, even in full uniform.

Mountain bikes have proven effective in a number of different environments and are good for park patrol, parking lots, campus areas, residential patrol, business security, athletic or civic events, and specialized details, which may otherwise be difficult to access with motor vehicles.

“Ann’s Choice is proud to sponsor our local law enforcement in their efforts to keep our community safe,” says Joe LoCascio.