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The Mobridge
Police Department Bike Patrol Unit (MPD BPU or BPU) was
established in 2005 by Officer Tony Larsen as a way to
better interact with the community and to enhance the
ability of an officer to detect and deter criminal activity.
The BPU is a volunteer unit currently consisting of two
police officers. BPU equipment is funded only by
donations from the public.
Using bicycles
to patrol promotes the department's community oriented
policing philosophy by allowing officers
to be more accessible to the public compared to patrolling in
traditional patrol vehicles. It also allows officers to be more mobile
compared to foot
patrol. Patrolling on bicycles also allows officers to be
stealthier when responding to incidents requiring the officers to be discrete about their presence.
The MPD BPU is
active typically from April through October, weather permitting.
BPU Officers patrol the entire City of Mobridge, giving
special attention to the City parks system, the Mobridge
Pool, the City sports complexes, the Main Street & Grand
Crossing business districts, motels, the drive-in movie theater, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail walking
and biking areas, as
well as at special events.
The MPD BPU
currently uses two police patrol bicycles, which are both 2008 Giant Rincon 24-speed 26" tire front-suspension mountain
bikes; one on a 22" frame and one on an 18" frame.
These patrol bikes are fully equipped police patrol vehicles with
red & blue emergency strobe lights, amber warning strobe
lights, 115 decibel "yelp" emergency warning
sirens, 105
decibel electronic air horns, LED taillights, 32 watt
dual beam halogen headlight systems with
"wig-wags", and reflective police
markings.
The police patrol bikes
are authorized
emergency vehicles, as defined by SDCL 32-14-1(2). BPU
Officers do conduct both vehicle traffic stops and
pedestrian stops while on patrol. Vehicles and
pedestrians must yield and stop for the patrol bicycles when
the red & blue emergency lights and/or audible siren
are/is activated, just as with any other authorized emergency
vehicle. BPU Officers may also issue voice commands.
Failure to comply with the laws regarding interaction with
emergency vehicles and directions of a police officer may
result in the issuance of citations for the law violations
and, under certain circumstances, may subject pedestrians to
a Fleeing from Police charge and vehicle drivers to an
Eluding Police charge.
In order to
ensure officer safety and efficiency, BPU Officers are
required to successfully complete a challenging 40-hour
basic police cyclist training
course presented through the International Police Mountain Bike
Association (IPMBA). BPU Officers are IPMBA members and are
Certified Police Cyclists. This training and certification allows
BPU Officers to
utilize efficient skills to operate safely and properly on
bike patrol,
reducing liability and increasing proficiency to better
enforce the law.
The MPD BPU is
proud to announce the addition of Officer Shawn Fox as the
second BPU Officer for the 2008 bike patrol season. With
this addition, the BPU has purchased the second bicycle and equipment
for the second officer, thanks to gracious monetary
donations by the public. Though the bike and equipment have
been purchased and are in use, the BPU still needs public
support to cover the additional costs of initial and
continued training and maintenance of the bikes and
equipment.
The unit is also exploring the
possibility of purchasing rechargeable battery-powered
electric hub motors as a safety measure for both patrol
bicycles. This technology would allow BPU Officers to quickly and
efficiently respond in an emergency to a call anywhere
within the city with much less risk of officer overexertion.
These electric motor systems are approximately $2,500 each.
One of
the attractive things about having police officers on
bicycles is the much lower operating cost compared to the
cost of purchasing a patrol car, with regular
maintenance and fuel usage. Comparatively, several bike
officers can be fully equipped for the same price as one
officer in a patrol car.
If you would like to make
a monetary donation to the MPD BPU or would like more
information, please contact MPD BPU Coordinator Tony Larsen
through
this email link or call
605-845-5000.
The MPD BPU
also hosts the annual MPD
Bicycle Safety Program for Mobridge area youth. |
