MASHPEE – After more than a decade without
bicycle patrols, Mashpee police will be bringing back the bikes.
Mashpee Police Chief Scott Carline said the department will begin patrols this fall and hopes to have between four and six two-officer teams implemented in the spring.
“The trial portion for me is I just want the officers to try it and find out which ones are interested,” he said. “Even though it is a bike patrol, I’m looking for an officer that is geared more toward community policing.”
The program is still in the early stages but several officers are interested.
“We have a lot of officers that are in real good shape and work out quite a bit and this is right down their alley,” Carline said. “They are looking to get out and get a little exercise as well as meet with the community.”
Carline said the officer selection will be critical for the success of the program.
“The group that we are looking for are those who like to interact with the public that will deal with the youth and get off the bike,” he said. “And just kind of get to know the community. That’s what I am looking for.”
Carline said strong relationships with the community will assist the department in the future when incidents might arise.
Some of the target areas of the bicycle patrols will be Mashpee Commons and New Seabury.
“The way traffic has been it’s that much easier,” Carline said. “[In] Mashpee Commons there are times when you can’t find a parking spot so it should be a nice strategic tool to assist us in dealing with the public.”
Carline said the Spit will be another area patrolled.
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