The Greenwood Police Department has brought back officers on bicycles, putting a new spin on patrolling downtown.
The program has been absent from the city for several years, but Greenwood Police Chief Terrence Craft said discussions with Mayor Carolyn McAdams brought about the return of a program he previously found to be successful.
“It was a good program when we did have it in the past, but we had gotten so short-staffed at the time,” he said. “We’re in the process of rebuilding our department and getting our numbers back up. Finally got guys we’re able to put down there and get that presence back in the community.”
The current patrol consists of two officers, Jamario Sanford and Jarvis Latiker. Sanford said the reaction among people and businesses downtown has been positive.
The police chief “thought it would be a great idea to bring it back, especially through the holidays, because it had a major impact downtown.” Sanford said.
Sanford said it allowed for a more personal approach to patrolling, with the opportunity to stop and talk to people while riding on their routes.
Latiker agreed. “This is my first ever time riding a bike as patrolling, meeting new people,” he said. “It’s a good experience to meet new people. They’re showing you love, and you’re showing love back to them.”
Bike patrolling has also provided a fitness boost for the two officers.
“I hadn’t ridden a bike in 10 to 15 years, but I can say the first couple of days, the bottom is a little sore,” Sanford said.
Latiker said the constant riding has given him more energy throughout the day.
Craft cited positive feedback and community relations as reasons for bringing the bike patrol back to the area. “The people feel safer with the officers down there knowing that there is someone close by if they need them,” he said.
Sanford said patrol cars often don’t allow the level of interaction that bicycles do.
It can become so busy when patrolling in vehicles that there just is not time to connect with the public the officers are serving.
“We’re answering calls; time is ticking. We have to leave on calls, go to another, might have two more pending,” he said.
A bicycle patrol lets them “take the time to speak to citizens,” he said. “Sometimes we stand out there 15 to 20 minutes. It gives them the time to express their issues or concerns.”
Latiker said he hopes the bike patrol continues. “In the future it would be good because we have people downtown actually patrolling and seeing what’s going on, that have the people feeling safe,” he said.
Craft said he would like to see the bike patrol program expand.
He said bike patrol uniforms will be available for officers to use during the summer months.
- Contact Kevin Edwards at 662-581-7233 or kedwards@gwcommonwealth.com.
