Aberdeen Police Resumes Bike Patrol Program

Aberdeen police won't just have feet on the street this summer.

They will have bike tires, too.

In collaboration with the Harford County Municipal Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128, the Aberdeen Police Department acquired four police mountain patrol bicycles to aid officers in patroling the city, according to a release from the department Monday.

Trained officers will patrol the city during all shifts, both enforcing laws and enhancing law enforcement by promoting safer environments with more visible presence on the streets, the release said.

Officers on the bicycle patrol group were trained by the International Police Mountain Bike Association.

The program was implemented by OFC Jason Neidig, with the goal of creating more interaction between the police department and the community.

The release stated, "Bicycle patrols allow officers to personally interact with community members as they patrol neighborhood streets and business areas. Officers on bicycle patrols can cover areas that are not accessible by foot or vehicle patrols and have the mobility to approach suspects effectively and on some occasions unnoticed. Bicycle patrols are an efficient and effective alternative to traditional police patrol tactics and in tough economic times they are inexpensive to operate. The bike patrols have already proven to be a successful and valuable resource for the police department and the community."

The FOP purchased two of the bikes, provided Aberdeen matched the donation.

The Smith and Wesson bikes were introduced in May and are currently in use.

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