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Altoona PD bringing back, amping up bike patrol

Monday, June 25, 2018
Brooke Schwieters | WEAU

ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) -- Summer time in the Chippewa Valley means more people outside.

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Altoona in particular has many flocking to the city, as it's become a new hot spot for big events, venues and parks.

"It's just been a really nice thing for Altoona to have now," says Becca Hemphill, who spent the day at River Prairie Park this afternoon with her family. "We've been out here a few times now, it's really great for our kids, and we have two little boys."

To keep people safe, the Altoona Police Department is getting officers out in the community in a bit of a different way.

"We've had bike patrol for many years; it's kind of gone to the wayside though," says Timothy Peterson, with the Altoona Police Department. "So we're trying to bring it back, get some officers trained up in biking tactfully so we can be out there in the community."

The Altoona Police Department started rolling out its bike patrol squad in early May, and had more officers trained just last week.

"It's nice to see the different forms they can actually use to protect, not just cars, but bikes," says Paul Hemphill.

The department says this type of patrol makes officers more accessible in emergency situations.

"If there's an emergency on a bike trail, and emergency in the big crowd, we can get there faster to help people," says Peterson. "We have a pouch on the back of our bike that will have first aid stuff in it if someone's having an emergency," says Peterson.

"I think it's nice to know they're always helping the community, making sure everyone is safe," says Becca. "And it's just nice to know we're protected."

The bike patrol is also a way for law enforcement to interact with the community.

"We'll hopefully be more approachable, have people approach the officers more," says Peterson. "Interact with them, talk with them, finding out what the community wants from us, and just being there for them."

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