NBís new bike patrol will go no patrol car can

By Barbara Brown
North Branch residents and visitors will see a new sight this spring and summer as the North Branch Police Department starts up its bike patrol.
Police Chief Jules Zimmer said the idea came from Officer Tim Olson who joined the force last year after working for the Chisago City force.
That department has used bike mounted officers for several years to get into areas of town that are not as easily accessible by car.
Zimmer said North Branch will use the same methodology while scouting the city on bike. The bike will become especially useful in the cityís parks where cruisers cannot regularly patrol in woody or pathed areas.
The bike, which costs about $375, was outfitted with reflective lettering boldly announcing that the electric blue two-wheeler is a police vehicle.
A saddle bag on the back, also marked with POLICE, will tote extra supplies for the officer.
The bike and all its accessories were paid for out of a fund that has collected money donated to the department for public safety.
The most exciting feature of the bike is the specially designed red lights mounted on the front and back of the bike that flash rapidly, much like the red, blue and white lights on a police car.
Bike patrols will begin later in the spring and continue at least through the summer, Zimmer said.
ìHopefully this will help cut down on certain types of curfew types of crimes,î Olson said.
He said nearly every officer on the 10-man force has expressed interest in the bike patrol option.
Zimmer said Olson will be the first bike officer until the other officers become more comfortable with the lights, abilities and other functions with the bike.
Zimmer said the bike officer would never be the only officer on patrol so that an officer with a cruiser could arrive quickly in case the bike cop needed backup.
The patrols will probably start in 4-hour increments, Zimmer said, because the police department does not have enough men to staff a bike patrol for full shifts.
ìWeíre still in the phase of working out what is going to work best with our officers and with the community,î Zimmer said.
Zimmer said one of the greatest benefits of the new patrol will be the visibility, especially in business areas like Main Street, Tanger Outlet Center and the North Branch Cinema.
He said an officer on a bike often is more approachable than an officer in a cruiser and the police in North Branch hope the new image will build strong relationships with youths in the city.
The North Branch Police, along with the cityís TRIAD seniors group, sponsor the bike rodeo each summer and hands out bike helmets to any child who participates, Zimmer said.
The rodeo does not have a solid date yet, but is planned for the last weekend in May or the first weekend in June, Zimmer said.
He said the bike officer also will set a good example for bicycle safety whether riders are out for pleasure or for serious exercise.
Kids spotted this summer wearing bike helmets and setting a good citizen example for others will be rewarded with an ice cream coupon from Dairy Queen, Zimmer said.

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