Bike Patrol Unit
One of the most popular patrol innovations adopted by the university police department is the Police Bike Patrol Unit. In 1990, UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety became one of the first departments in the east to form and staff a unit assigned to police bike patrol. Officers utilize specially adapted bikes for patrol and other duties, such as special events.
This is the eighteenth complete year of operation for the Unit. We are pleased to report it has been received with "open arms" by the University community, and has proved itself an invaluable tool for the department.
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We have found that the Bike Unit is a valuable resource in responding to
calls, since traffic tie-ups and maneuvering in congested areas do not adversely
affect Bike Unit response time. Bike Unit Members usually arrive to calls before
traditional vehicles.
The Unit is exceptionally effective with public interaction and assistance, as being on the bikes made us much more approachable and visible to the public, while allowing a "common link" that sparked many conversations. These "conversations" in turn, usually led us to more information and calls that we normally would not have received, thus making our overall coverage of the University community much more effective at an entirely new level.
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The versatility of the bikes are unparalleled pertaining to the enforcement of violations such as alcohol, drugs, suspicious persons, car break-ins, etc. In approx. 90% of the cases, (excluding vehicle stops), we were unhampered in riding right up to the offending individuals with no resistance. Most offenders are stunned to be caught so easily, however, after the initial shock wears off, many offenders actually congratulate us on our stealth and the overall idea of the unit. We are proud of the efforts of unit members to further the department's commitment to Community Policing. We welcome any comments or questions that you may have concerning our Bike Unit. Have questions or comments about the Bike Unit? Contact Lt. David Phillips @ 704-687-8474 or email @ Lt. D. Phillips.
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