ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604190004
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON
When the Tour Du Pont rolls through Salem on May 6, the Salem Police will bring out their bikes also.
Chief James Bryant announced this week that the police will kick off a new bicycle patrol. And the Tour Du Pont will be the two officers' first assignment.
Bryant said the bicycle patrol - which will be present at major outside events - places Salem's police officers in direct contact with citizens while better mobility for the officers to respond to a call.
"With literally thousands of pedestrians and spectators attending events such as Old Salem Days and The Salem Fair, patrol car responses are limited," Bryant said. With the bike patrol, the officers "will be able to provide timely responses with the ultimate degree of safety required for pedestrians."
The department has purchased Raleigh 21-speed "police package bikes" for the patrol, Bryant said. Both the bikes and police uniforms will have reflective striping and letters to enhance visibility to citizens.
Senior officers Blake Critz and Chris Blomberg have been selected for the bicycle patrol, Bryant said.
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