by Kristin Casale
Associate Editor
Stow -- Jumping curbs, going off road and riding down steps -- these were a few of the activities the Stow Police Department's recently-revived bike patrol performed during training exercises May 2.
Police Chief Louis Dirker said the division, cut three years ago due to a lack of available staff, allows officers to patrol on bicycles during spare moments in their regular patrols in cruisers.
When the division was cut, he said, the department had 36 officers, and there was less time for officers to patrol on bicycles. However, Dirker said, the staff size since has increased to 44 officers.
With more officers covering shifts, he said, there is more time for bicycle patrols.
"We waited until we got eight new officers," said Dirker. "We didn't want to have a patrol and then have it die."
The patrol will return at no additional cost to the city, he said.
Bicycle patrols could take place during high school football games or on the city's bike paths.
Stow Police Sgt. Ron Jones, who helped to oversee the May 2 training exercises, said nine officers will patrol the streets with their bicycles and Sgt. Steve Dunton will supervise the division.
"They're young, they're eager, we'll keep them busy," said Jones. "I think it will work out really well."
He expects the patrol to be on the road by May 20.
Dirker said he considers the patrol a good form of "public relations" between the community and the police department. But, he said, the patrol also will serve a "strong law-enforcement" purpose.
"Sometimes you need to be a little quiet," said Dirker, explaining bicycles can aid officers in that respect better than cruisers.
"It's also very hard to outrun a bike," he said with a laugh.
The patrol's training exercises took place during rainy weather, so officers took extra care during some of the activities.
The officers made their way through a series of cones set up behind the Stow Safety Center that required them to make tight turns.
Jones explained officers could be required to perform such maneuvers when patrolling plazas.
Additionally, he said, cones were assembled to simulate instances when officers must perform "quick-turn dodges, in case of pot holes or cars turning in their paths."
Officers later were trained in riding off road and going down steps. The patrol took its time riding down a set of stairs due to the slippery conditions created by the rain.
Officer Andy Calvey joked, "This might be ugly," before the optional exercise began.
But, Jones and Dunton urged everyone to take their time, and no one was injured.
Dirker said he is eager for the patrol to get on the road.
"They'll go pretty much anywhere," he said. "I think they'll do a great job."
E-mail: kcasale@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3917