The Reading Police Department utilizes bicycles to supplement our traditional patrol function. Stealthy, cost efficient, and astonishingly 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; optimizing community relations. 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.
Established in 1991, our bicycle patrol has been a useful addition to our patrol efforts. Our officers are able to frequent areas that were never patrolled by police. This is especially true of our wooded areas and parks where suspicious activity is often out of public view. In addition, stubborn community problems have been affectively addressed by bicycle patrols where increasing the patrollable area can be a nuisance for criminals.
The Patrol Division has approximately six officers, which regularly patrol on bicycle in addition to their other responsibilities. In an effort to continue our constant diligence toward maintaining the excellent quality of life we in the Reading community have come to expect, we offer our residents the form below so that you may type in a request for where the bike unit may be of assistance in your neighborhood. It could be a problem that has come up, or a point of concern that you feel the pedal bike may help in assisting you with your situation.
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