NCJ Number
194812
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 88-91
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the implementation of a bike patrol program on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and its impact on police and community relations.
Abstract
Over the years, the Maryland State Police have implemented two bike patrol programs. The first was founded in Frederick County and the second on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This article focuses on the bike patrol program on the Eastern Shore, in a county rated as one of the poorest. Within this region two areas were identified as hot spots or high crime neighborhoods under the Maryland Hot Spot Program. These areas were experiencing high rates of drug use and aggravated assault. The program assists neighborhoods infested with criminal activity to target both crime and attempts to build an infrastructure for strengthening the community. To address these hot spots, the concept of using police on bikes was introduced. However, certain obstacles needed to be overcome such as staffing, funding, and operations, with funding being the easiest. Once the concept was on board, the reaction from the community was mixed until it was evident that the bike patrol was having a positive impact on crime. Since its inception 3 years ago, the crime rate has dropped. This is due not only to the bike patrol being in the community but to officers becoming more involved in the community. The bike patrol has allowed officers to be confronted and approached with community problems, build safe neighborhoods, and provide personal satisfaction to the officer who attains the trust of the community.