LHT banner graphic,Too
Preserving the Legacy of 2000-2003

Police Bicycle Patrol

  
Pictured is Corporal Michael Mazzeo
 
The Long Hill Township Bicycle patrol unit consists of 7 certified officers and four bicycles.  The police officers on their mountain bikes create a more approachable atmosphere for the community.  Bicycle patrol provides an excellent opportunity for the officer to interact with individuals on a one on one basis or in a group setting.  The informal contact strengthens community trust and allows for the officer to be perceived in a humanistic manner.  Bicycle officers patrol areas of the community that are not as easily accessible by patrol vehicles.  These areas usually consist of shopping mall parking lots, school grounds, parks, wooded areas and other locations with a heavy concentration of pedestrian traffic.  Having the officer in close proximity to the public allows for the officer to hear citizens' concerns and the ability to act directly to those areas.

The bicycle unit plays a significant role during the Freedom Tour Bike Race, the Five Village Five Run, the Memorial Day Parade and the Street Fair, as well as the Berkeley Heights Fireworks.  At those events, the patrol officers keep the pedestrian traffic safe and assist those in need where a patrol vehicle could have created a possible hazard. 

The bicycle unit can also be seen during neighborhood block parties.  Officers attend the gatherings to explain bicycle safety to the children and answer any concerns the parents might have.  The Long Hill Township Police bicycle unit annually sponsors a bicycle rodeo at Central School.  The event stresses the importance of bicycle safety and maintenance for each child. 

  
Pictured is Corporal Michael Mazzeo and
Stephen Toal of the Neumann Foundation
 
On June 6, 2001 at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains, The Neumann Foundation presented fifteen fully equipped police mountain bikes to several police department bike patrols.  The Long Hill Township Police Department was one of the recipients.

The Neumann Foundation is a non-profit organization established in memory of fallen Essex County Police Officer Kenneth Neumann, who was killed during a pre-dawn drug raid August 3, 1989.  Officer Neumann was 24 years old at the time and had been married for only six weeks.  The Foundation's purpose is to provide support to police departments and their community bike patrols through a bike donation.  The aim is to promote the use of bike patrols within the community to fight drug use, reduce crime in parks, town centers, school and recreational areas.

The new bicycle, a Cannodale Police Mountain Bike valued at $1,300.00, will be used to supplement the existing three bikes in use by the Long Hill Township Police Department.

Small Police Department Patch Return to the Police Organization Page
Return to the Police Home Page

Return
Please send comments to the webmaster from this or any other page.
This is not an official government website.  © 2003-2012