UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 31, Page 3
May 14, 1992
Bike brigade shares skills

     There's more to being a police officer on a bicycle than pedaling
a beat.
     To learn such skills as riding up and down stairs and about
safety at night, "mounties" from the University, Newark and Rehoboth
Beach attended a seminar, organized by Paige Seppanen, master police
officer, and Vince Shipman, investigator, both of public safety.
     During the one-day session, the group practiced basic bicycling
techniques, such as maneuvering around obstacles, and watched
videotapes of crime prevention and intervention. Later, they took to
their wheels once more and practiced more difficult
skills-multi-terrain riding, riding up and down outside stairs and
jumping curbs.
     The use of bicycles for patrols and surveillance is increasing,
according to Jim Grimes, University police manager. For example, he
said, in a parking lot where there have been break-ins, bicycles are
superior to cars for surveillance, patrols, crime prevention and
intervention because they are quieter, less noticeable and can go
where cars cannot.
     Bicycle patrols have been effective at the University since they
began a few years ago and they will be expanded, Grimes said. Newark
also plans to increase its "mounted" police, and Rehoboth is starting
a bicycle brigade.
     -Sue Swyers Moncure