MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – This summer time, the Marquette City Police Department will proceed to cycle their manner across the downtown space.
Electric bikes, or E-bikes, have been a typical mode of transportation for patrol officers in the summertime for a number of years. But now, the division has an improve to their wheels.
“We’ve had E-bikes since 2017. We had some fat (tire) E-bikes that we used to patrol,” mentioned Chief Ryan Grim. “These are just a typical mountain bike with 29-inch wheels. They’re a Class 1, which means they’re pedal assist.”
With the assistance of a Walmart grant, the division has two new Class 1 mountain E-bikes from Down Wind Sports. They have a speedometer, an odometer, flashing lights, and a siren.
Grim says utilizing bikes permits patrol officers to attach extra with the general public.
“We’re a big biking and tourist community, so it’s just nice to get my officers out, give them some fresh air, and get them pedaling around,” Grim mentioned.
Trained officers use bikes to patrol downtown, in addition to the paths and trails by Lakeshore Boulevard.
Grim says this technique helps officers cowl extra space than simply town streets.
“These bikes get around in places that the patrol cars can’t get around. And even foot patrol has limitations, too,” mentioned Grim. “Sometimes, these are a good option for that kind of enforcement investigations, too (like surveillance).”
The division reiterated that security is its primary precedence.
“If you see the officers out and about, engage with them. Talk with them, and if you have any questions, we’d like you to talk with the officers,” Grim mentioned.
Grim hopes to get a pair extra E-bikes someday quickly to assist enhance patrols on the bike paths and the downtown space.
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