The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is expanding the Central Bike Squad to increase its presence in Downtown Portland.
PPB’s Central Bike Squad is growing with the addition of four officers and one sergeant. The team of five will work Wednesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. until midnight, but will at times adjust for special missions. They will compliment a team of five that is already working Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
“I am thrilled to be in a position to expand the Central Bike Squad,” PPB Chief Bob Day said. “Our Bike Squad does incredible work Downtown and growing the team will only improve upon that work. In addition, adding resources to our Bike Squad furthers my goals of transforming the dynamic between police and the public and reducing crime and the fear of crime.”
The officers and sergeant joining the Central Bike Squad will strategically address crime and livability issues, including drug dealing, unlawful weapons possession, stolen vehicles, graffiti, and other vandalism. They will also support Central Precinct Patrol response as well as PPB’s Entertainment Detail that works during the late-night hours on weekends.
Officers who ride bicycles are often more accessible to community members than those in cars. Also, being on bikes can improve response time to calls in the downtown core as they can ride places that patrol vehicles cannot go. And officers are better able to see, hear, and use their other senses to detect criminal activity and public safety issues.
Source: Portland Police Bureau