COLUMBUS — The wheels are turning at the Columbus Police Department — literally.
The department has a new bicycle patrol unit that will make rounds at events and in high-crime areas in the city, said CPD Public Information Officer Terrie Songer.
Patrolmen Kenneth Brewer and Dwight Smith have been assigned part time to the unit after completing training, Smith at the Mississippi State University bicycle school in Starkville and Brewer at the Tupelo police academy.
They will join the unit full time after they graduate from bike instructor school, which will certify them to train other officers. The department has yet to decide on an instructor school.
Eventually, the department hopes to add two more full-time officers to the unit, said Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John.
“There”s just so much you can do with them,” he added.
Smith, who was a scout in the military, said the bikes allow officers to survey areas without alerting criminals.
“We can observe things in high-crime areas that police may pass by,” he said. “Where they can”t go, we can go.”
“When we pull up on (criminals) like that,” he added, “it shocks them.”
But the bike unit is not confined to the sidewalks, Smith said. The $800, 24-speed Fuji mountain bikes are equipped with emergency lights, making it easier for officers to make traffic stops and patrol intersections.
“They”re worth the money the city spent,” Smith said.
“Overall, I think it”s going to be a positive thing for the community. I think it”s a great investment.”
Once Brewer and Smith begin teaching bike classes in Columbus, they could begin to bring in additional revenue for the city, they said.
They plan to hold classes on bike safety for children and adults and perhaps have a children”s bike rodeo over spring break, Brewer said.
The unit has also been a big success with officers, who are interested in combining work and exercise, he continued.
“There”s a lot of people in the police department who want to ride now,” Brewer said.
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