ThereB次元官网网址檚 a new set of wheels in town patrolling trails throughout the the West Shore.
The West Shore RCMP recently added a full-time bike patrol unit, consisting of four members. As part of the unit, officers head out in pairs on red and black Rocky Mountain bikes to patrol trails such as the Galloping Goose and the E&N Trail, as well as smaller, lesser travelled trails throughout the western communities and First Nation reserves.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to be enhancing police visibility in the community,B次元官网网址� Const. Alex Berube said. B次元官网网址淲e have that opportunity to get closer to citizens by approaching them on a trail and give them a sense of safety. WeB次元官网网址檒l just stop and talk to people B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 a way to connect with people as well.B次元官网网址�
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The local detachment had a summer bike patrol in the past, but this is the first time it has had a full-time, year-round unit to enforce criminal code offenses and provincial statutes in areas that are difficult to access with police cars.
The unit has been up and running since July, and has received positive feedback from the community so far. In addition to stopping people to chat about various topics and providing support to general duty officers, officers have made arrests as well.
Berube said in recent weeks the unit had three arrests on the Galloping Goose for outstanding warrants, as well as another arrest in a back alley for someone breaching their court imposed conditions.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in Victoria, weB次元官网网址檙e in shorts and riding bikes, these are all things we love to do,B次元官网网址� Berube said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e engaging with the community and on top of everything else we feel like weB次元官网网址檙e making a difference in the sense that weB次元官网网址檙e providing enhanced visibility and weB次元官网网址檙e getting closer to the community.B次元官网网址�
Cpl. Dave Vunic, supervisor of the local bike unit, said an increased police presence is necessary as the population grows on the West Shore, and more people take advantage of the regionB次元官网网址檚 expansive trail system.
B次元官网网址淚 think as the city grows thereB次元官网网址檚 a need for it,B次元官网网址� said Vunic, who served on a full-time bike squad at the North Vancouver detachment for several years. B次元官网网址淭he Galloping Goose goes through many different municipalities and a lot of people travel on that. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard to get a police car down there, so itB次元官网网址檚 nice to have a presence and it makes the public feel safe.B次元官网网址�
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