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Bike Patrols Get Rolling in Spokane, Liberty Lake: Authorities Say Officers on Bikes Are More Visible, Approachable

Posted on: Saturday, 3 June 2006, 00:00 CDT

By Jody Lawrence-turner, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

May 23--Two-wheeled twilight patrols have begun in Spokane and Liberty Lake.

Police officers on bicycles are cruising Spokane's downtown corridor, as well as along the Centennial Trail from Harvard Road to Stateline and around Liberty Lake.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office will start its bike patrols in mid-June, officials said.

Spokane police began putting the bike patrol officers downtown in 2005 as a way to replace two patrol teams lost because of budgetary constraints.

Last year, four officers patrolled for four days a week during July and August, said Lt. Dave McGovern. This year, the patrols will be two to three days a week, but for a longer period of time.

Two Spokane Police Department bike patrol officers are hitting the pavement on their bikes between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. every Friday and Saturday. In July, two more officers will be added, and the patrol expanded to three nights a week. Then in September, it will go back to two officers, two nights a week.

Authorities say officers on bikes often are more visible than those in cars and are more approachable by the public, so their presence can deter crime. And in some cases, they can respond more quickly than those in cars and can approach criminals more stealthily.

The bike patrols will include Sprague Avenue and the alleys south of there to the freeway, McGovern said. Officers may take a ride through Riverfront Park now and then.

"What they are told to do is make as many contacts as possible with visitors, business people and citizens," McGovern said. "And it's an enforcement-oriented patrol."

Liberty Lake Police started bike patrols during the last week in April, said Chief Brian Asmus. One officer works 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., and the other rides from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

In addition to the Centennial Trail, officers cruise the trail systems throughout the town and work events held at Liberty Lake's Pavillion Park.

Sheriff's deputies' bike patrols will focus on the southwest portion of Spokane Valley, known as Edgecliff, and along the Centennial Trail, said Lt. Steve Jones.

But they may occasionally go to the Spokane Valley Mall or to a particular neighborhood, if needed.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

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Source: The Spokesman-Review

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