Police Patrol Program Promotes Pedal Power

By Andrew Gorosko

Longtime bicyclist and police patrolman Steve Ketchum has gotten into the saddle for the Newtown Police Department, beginning work as the town’s first bike patrolman.

Mr Ketchum, 33, who has been on the police force more than 11 years, plans to patrol selected areas of town, when weather and staffing levels permit.

The supplemental bicycle patrol could be employed “all over town,” as needed, he said, adding that he expects the bike patrol will focus on congested commercial and residential areas, as well as town parks.

A police patrol car will transport the 27-speed mountain bike to areas targeted for bicycle patrol work. In some cases, Mr Ketchum may directly depart from and return to the police department on the bike.

Mr Ketchum recently began bicycle patrol work at Dickinson Park.

“I enjoy bicycling. I enjoy being outside. The physical activity appeals to me,” he said.

While on patrol, Mr Ketchum will wear a police bicyclist’s uniform, consisting of blue shorts, a blue pullover shirt, a white bicyclist’s helmet, bike shoes, padded gloves, and dark glasses. He will be carrying a pistol, nightstick, police radio, and other law enforcement paraphernalia while on patrol.

The advantages of patrolling on a bicycle include great mobility, plus presenting the element of surprise in certain situations, Mr Ketchum said.

“You certainly can cover more ground than on foot,” he said, adding that a person on bicycle has advantages over people on foot.

Mr Ketchum said he expects that bike patrol work will focus on Dickinson Park, Treadwell Park, the Queen Street commercial area, Main Street, Sandy Hook Center, and the Sand Hill Plaza area, including Middle Gate School and Riverview Condominiums.

“There’s no barrier between the officer and the public,” Mr Ketchum said, explaining that patrolling on bicycle puts an officer out in the open, rather than being enclosed inside a patrol car.

The Raleigh mountain bike has tires which allow it to travel on pavement and also off the road on rugged terrain. Bicycle patrolling allows police to maneuver in tight areas where it is not possible to drive a patrol car.

Bike patrols also allow police to be either highly visible or stealthy, depending on the situation, Mr Ketchum said.

The bike patrol may form the nucleus of a police department bicycle safety program, he said.

Mr Ketchum received specialized training in mountain biking under the auspices of the International Police Mountain Biking Association to prepare for bike patrol work. The Rotary Club of Newtown donated the mountain bike to the police department.