Chief Daniel Valadas announced the return of active bicycle patrols to the Ludlow Police Department. The active bicycle patrol officers returned to the first and second patrol operation shifts as of July 18. |
"Basically we've reestablished a bike patrol that we've had since the middle 90's through community policing funding," Valadas said.
Bicycles were commonly used by the department for patrol up unit the early 2000's. Valadas became chief of the department in May, but has served the town of Ludlow as a Lieutenant prior. Valadas showed a framed photo of him from earlier on in his career.
"Twenty-five years ago I was on bike patrol in Whitney park," he said. "My wife found this in our basement."
In recent years, the department has decreased bicycle patrol and only occasionally deployed bicycle patrol officers, most notably for special town events. These patrols were predominantly conducted by special police officers. This summer the bikes are back on the street.
"It's a great endeavor and the Chief before me did it and I thought it was probably in this unsettled times, I think it's a great thing to bring back," Valadas said.
Residents can only expect to see the bicycles during the day and early evening hours. The officers have completed specialized training.
| Over the past few months, the department has sent three officers to the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) Police Cyclist Course. That course is considered to be the national standard for these operations. The IPMBA Cyclist Courses are offered nationwide and many local cities, towns and states have offered the course throughout the years. Also the Enfield Police Department in Connecticut has trained several other offices. |
| Ludlow officers who have successfully completed the training so far are Sgt. Sean Knox, Sgt. Jason Chelo, Officer Jordan Liszka, Officer Jhon Wielblad and Officer Ryan Churchill. Several officers from the department's Special Police Unit are also certified. |
| The Ludlow Police Department also plans to have three additional officers -- Officers Nathan Goodrow, Jacob Stokowski and Gabriel Cordeiro -- attend IPMBA Cyclist Courses in September. Following their training, the department will have a total of two sergeants and six officers who are fully-equipped and trained in bicycle patrol. |
The bicycle patrol allows police to go through areas that aren't accessible to cruisers. Valadas said while there are many benefits, the relationships the officers build in the community is one of the biggest benefits of bringing this back.
"You really break down the barrier of an officer in a cruiser driving by as compared to you can actually pull over and speak to somebody and talk to them," Valadas said.
He also said the feedback from the town has been positive. Residents love seeing the bicycles out and people have even come forward to help pay for some of the added costs of equipment.
"It's expensive to buy bikes and uniforms, thousands of dollars to buy jackets and what not so we've had some donors come forward which I greatly appreciate," Valadas said.
He said this method of policing is proactive and allows the department to reach out and make those ties in the community they need to make.
"You can go to places, you can patrol parks, school grounds, neighbors and sometimes you make those little contacts with teenagers or young people and they preempt things," Valadas said. "If you see them in the park everyday, you talk to them everyday and I think that helps out."
The bicycle patrolling will continue until the end of October. The department has plans to bring it back again next year.