They're quiet and can maneuver into places that a police car can't reach.
They're bicycles, and now the St. Albans Police Department has a part-time bike patrol that has already paid dividends.
"We've never had one before. We had talked about it for years, but the money was not available," said SAPD Chief Michael Matthews.
So far, 11 police officers have signed up for the bike patrol.
"They do it on their days off, or when they come in early for a shift," Matthews said.
One of the bike patrol's biggest assets is its element of surprise. With no telltale headlights or engine noise to give them away, police officers on bicycles can sneak up on people breaking the law.
The surprise factor is especially important in catching those involved with "auto tampering," which there has been a rash of recently in the St. Albans area, Matthews said.
Bike patrol officers can "ride right up on them" in the act, he said.
The bike patrol will also be useful for such events as the upcoming Riverfest in St. Albans.
Being on a bike "is faster than walking, and they can go in places where you can't get a car. And we'll be able to observe more than in a car."
Bike patrol officer Kenny Davis said he was initially skeptical about the program.
"I didn't want to be pedaling around St. Albans," Davis said.
But after taking a training course from the Charleston Police Department's bike patrol, Davis said he's happy to be a part of it.
"I had a blast - they taught us how to go upstairs and downstairs" on bicycles, Davis said of the training.
And it was Davis who made an arrest his first night out on his bike.
"Me and another officer heard loud screaming," Davis said.
They glided up quietly on a couple arguing. The man possessed illegal drugs and had a stolen pistol in the waistband of his pants.
"They rode right up on them," Matthews said.
The St. Albans bike patrol officers have taken a preliminary training course with Charleston's bike patrol program, but will take the full course in September.
Officer Marc Gilbert, a 17-year veteran of the force, said he and the other bike patrol officers have gotten positive responses from the community.
"The people are glad to see us other than driving around in patrol cars," Gilbert said.
Being on a bike offers a stronger connection to the community.
"It's a modern-day walking beat, and it goes along well with Neighborhood Watches," Matthews said.
At present, the police department has four, mountain-style, 24-speed bikes. A lot of St. Albans is on flat land, but there are hilly sections, too.
Riding the bikes, the officers are "going to get in shape," he said.
Posed with their bicycles are St. Albans bike patrol officers Marc Gilbert, left, and Kenny Davis, right. In center is St. Albans Police Chief Michael Matthews.
Davis and Gilbert head out on patrol on their bicycles. The first night out on his bike, Davis nabbed a man carrying an illegal gun.
The police bicycles have flashing red and blue lights, as well as sirens.
To help identify them as law enforcement officers, each bike patrol officer's helmet has the word "police" on it.
Metro photos by BEN CALWELL
Copyright 2012 Charleston Newspapers
