In an effort to increase their visibility in key areas of the city, the Ukiah Police Department is deploying officers on bicycles to more proactively patrol the downtown and other locations.
“The implementation of bike patrols is part of our ongoing commitment to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community,” the UPD explained in a press release announcing that it had new bicycles that officers would be utilizing to provide them “increased visibility and accessibility, allowing them to interact more freely with residents, local businesses, and visitors. This initiative aims to create a welcoming environment while promoting safety and security in our neighborhoods.”
UPD Sgt. Adam Randall is coordinating the patrols, which he said for now will not replace any standard patrol shifts that officers currently conduct in their vehicles, but instead will be used to augment the existing patrols as needed, and as available.
So far, Randall said, the UPD has two electric bikes and two pedal bikes, which will be used by officers who volunteer for the two-wheeled duty, once they have completed the necessary training and have their new uniform readied.
“We need to be more visible, so instead of the darker uniforms, the bicycle ones are a brighter blue and have different patches,” Randall said, noting that as of last week, he was one of the only officers who was both trained and had a properly outfitted new uniform at the ready.
Once more officers are ready to patrol on bicycles, Randall said they will be deployed strategically for special events like Sunday’s Low Gap bicycle race and Pumpkinfest, rides on the Great Redwood Trail, or when “we have an issue that needs to be addressed.”
“Bicycle patrols will enable our officers to engage with the community in a more approachable manner,” Chief Cedric Crook is quoted as saying in the UPD press release. “We believe this proactive strategy will not only enhance our law enforcement presence but also strengthen partnerships with local businesses and residents.”
Randall said the patrols have already been well-received by business owners, noting that in the first patrol he completed downtown, most of the people he spoke with welcomed the idea, particularly if it involved a more visible law enforcement presence.
He said the patrols could be utilized when business owners are having issues that need to be addressed, such as people camping in areas that are easier to reach by bicycle, and he spent much of his first bicycle patrol “just talking with owners and letting them know to contact me with concerns or questions.”
Having officers on bicycles will not only help in friendly situations, Randall said, but could also prove useful for apprehending suspects, especially fleeing thieves, “because they may not be looking out for someone on a bicycle, and won’t know to run away from us.”
The UPD notes that “in addition to enhancing community relations, the bike patrols will also focus on targeted enforcement in areas that may benefit from increased law enforcement presence. Officers will be equipped to address issues such as public safety, parking violations, shoplifting, and other community concerns while promoting a positive atmosphere during local events.”
For more information about the bicycle patrol program or to learn more about community engagement efforts, contact the UPD at 707-463-6262 or [email protected].
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