Police looking to buy 16 bikesChief gets go-ahead to seek Wal-Mart Foundation grant By Prentiss Findlay (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
MOUNT PLEASANT — To catch a thief, sometimes pedal power is better than horsepower. Police Chief Harry Sewell on Tuesday asked a Town Council committee for permission to apply for a $4,000 Wal-Mart Foundation grant to buy 16 bicycles. With no discussion, the Police, Judicial and Legal Committee said OK. No town matching money is needed, he said. Buying the bikes for the Police Department will increase officer community contact, reduce fuel consumption and provide a new crime-fighting tool, Sewell said. An officer on a bike is quieter and can sneak up on a suspect, he said. The town has four bikes used for part-time police patrols. The 16 new bikes also would be used on a part-time basis. "We're trying to amp it up," Sewell said. The town's bike patrol means that participating officers carry bikes on racks on the back of cruisers. An officer leaves the car and switches to the two-wheeler when it provides a tactical advantage. For example, a bike is a good way to quickly navigate a wooded path in pursuit of a suspect. Sewell mentioned auto and air conditioner thefts as problems where more part-time bike patrols may prove useful. The Wal-Mart Foundation distributes millions of dollars annually nationwide. A community involvement coordinator at each store receives applications and awards grants. The Police Department applied to the Wal-Mart at Wando Crossing for funds for the new bikes, Sewell said. Sewell received the committee's approval to spend $20,000 in seized-asset funds for 10 new bullet-resistant vests for the SWAT entry team, the group of officers who would storm a building in a crisis situation. "I don't feel comfortable with the vests that we have, and I'd like to be able to protect our guys," Sewell told the committee. He also received approval to use $15,000 in seized-asset funds for new, more casual uniforms that offer greater comfort for nighttime patrol officers. Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 25 comment(s)
Posted by CharlestonJim on September 3, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone noticed the increasing crime in wonderful Mt. P lately? You would think the 24/7 traffic and overcrowding would slow the getaway cars fleeing back to the saftey of Nort Charleston.
Seriously, MTP is getting rougher.
Let the debate begin, but remember numbers DO lie. North Charleston got tired of being the 3rd most dangerous city with a pop under 100000 in the country behind Compton CA and Gary IN (Chicago), so they started charging rapes as assults, murder as manslaughters, etc. Does any feel safer in NoCh? I would say "no".
Posted by letstakeawalk on September 3, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that the $4000 is only a fraction of the actual money that will be allocated to buy the 16 bikes. That, or the Police should get a serious discount. At any rate, the idea of Mt. P police riding around on crappy $250 Wal-Mart bikes is laughable. Considering we have a brand-new Trek bicyle dealer in town, maybe they could be persuaded to help out... or Mike's. Support local businesses, forget the Wal-Mart boat anchors.
There are many decent bikes available to law enforcement agencies:
http://www.policebikestore.com
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/26/bikes.c...
Posted by CharlestonJim on September 3, 2008 at 1:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You don't think they are actual ride those bikes do you? On which of the packed roads will they chose to bring traffic traveling at 2 mph in rush hour to 0 mph?
I think they are for parades and to make the place look "cool". Mt. P reminds me of Apple. Nice overpriced products that are marketed well, but once you have one, you realize Mac and Iphone are good second computer and cell phone, not something you want to use everyday.
Posted by Cid95 on September 3, 2008 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ChsJim - What MtP are you talking about? 24/7 traffic? Crime? Not the same one I live in. Yes, the bypass / Hwy 17 sucks but that's not the real Mt Pleasant anyway.
Coleman Blvd is as easy and pleasant as ever.
I DO THINK MPPD should get on the ball and get us at least one prostitution arrest though! Maybe these bikes will help them deal with the OV ghetto? With SWAT back-up, of course.
Posted by hawks10 on September 3, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas how do you what vests Mt. P officers wear? Are you a Mt. P SWAT officer? Don't think so because you on here ALL the time. When it is your family inside and the SWAT officers don't want to make entry because their vests are below safety standards, you might change your mind. You blow more hot air than Obama.
Posted by shoelaces on September 3, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cid95:
If Hwy. 17 isn't the REAL Mt. Pleasant than what is? I grew up in a small neighborhood on 17 and at last check there are MANY more neighborhoods along this busy corridor. What a great way for a criminal to get in and out of a subdivision fast. That is if there isn't bumper to bumper traffic!!
I laughed a little at the idea of bicycles but in some of the areas in Mt. P it wouldn't hurt. A heightened police presence may be just what a GOOD area needs in order to avoid becoming the next North Charleston or other higher crime area.
Just a thought...
Posted by Cid95 on September 3, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coleman Blvd is the real Mt Pleasant. That's why 17 is called the bypass, it bypassed Mt Pleasant.
Posted by crankyyankee on September 3, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the fattest cops should turn in the keys to the patrol car and get the bicycles! How far is it from the station to the Krispy Kream?
Posted by tigerrecord on September 3, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Listen, last time I checked, seized assets funds weren't my tax dollars. In fact, depending on the nature of the crime, they may have never been taxed.
I don't see anything wrong with this as a Mt. Pleasant resident. Anything to keep my town, my business and my family safe is fine by me.
I just don't know where they are going to ride them, my guess is towne centre to give out parking tickets and catch up with the goth punks.
Posted by Larz13 on September 3, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There goes all of that poker money.
Posted by RTC on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cranky, they closed the Krispy Creme years ago. You really don't see fat cops in Mt. Pleasant anymore. Most all of them work out and stay in top form.
Chief Sewell, aren't any of your SWAT entry team members female? Or are you only interested in protecting the "guys"?
Posted by shoelaces on September 3, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
17 is not the bypass anymore. Most newbies refer to it as Johnnie Dodds because it does not bypass anything anymore. I still call it that since I spent 20+ years in Mt. P. It is stop and go....hurry up and stop at the next light. Coleman has always been the business section....but not the issue here.
Whatever it takes to keep a fine community FINE should be commended. I could see them using them to patrol Town Center or other large areas without high/fast traffic. A police presence doesn't hurt.
Posted by Halcyon on September 3, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CharlestonJim, North Charleston has never been the third most dangerous city.
As far as the police department in North Charleston "cooking the books" as you suggested, where do you get that idea? I notice you used the word "charge" in your post. You realize that the FBI UCR code of a crime and the actual statute that someone is charged with in connection with that crime are two very different things, correct?
Posted by mollycooper on September 3, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems to me that none of you know what a Grant is. The money is not coming from the Towns budget, but from a grant through Wal Mart. Why shouldn't the SWAT tean get new vest? They are the ones that are protecting us. If you have lived here all your life, you would know that the bypass has always been considered part of Mt. Pleasant, just on the eastern side. Now Mt. Pleasant has grown to include Park West and Dunes West. Growth has really brought a bunch of outsiders to our CITY, because we should no longer consider Mt. Pleasant a TOWN. Most of these outsiders are from up north and we all know what we call them when they come and stay!
Posted by hawks10 on September 3, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas, again how do you know the vests are fine? Do you know that the life of a vest is only 5 years? If you want to put on a vest that is over 5 years old and shoot yourself in the chest, be my guest.
Posted by commonsence on September 3, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Livin' in MP and loving it...
Posted by mollycooper on September 3, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776 you need to put on one those vest and take a bullet. Hawks10 is right they do deteroate after a time. Sometimes before 5 years. Would you put your life in danger like these men and women do?
Posted by nikkiP on September 3, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe someone would deny a SWAT team new vests. They're not asking for some ridiculous gadget that would never get use. It's a bullet proof vest, a basic need for members of the SWAT team. And something that really does mean the difference between life and death.
And money seized from assets does come from tax dollars. Chances are, it's drug money.
I think the bikes are a great initiative for the police force and I applaud them for taking the step.
Posted by nikkiP on September 3, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorry, meant does NOT come from tax dollars.
Posted by letstakeawalk on September 3, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@ Coldbeer - "You can get a pretty good bike for $250, or, as letstakeawalk pointed out, you could waste the money buying more expensive bikes that don't do anything more for you. Would you have the police driving around in Italian police cars too?"
I respectfully disagree. Police vehicles need to be durable, reliable, and easy to maintain. A bike from Wal-Mart may be perfectly adequate as a starter bike for a child, or an infrequently used plaything, but there's no way they would handle the day-to-day rigors of regular use. Simply put, you get what you pay for.
Interesting point though about the Italian cars... a Wal-Mart bike might be more reliable...maybe you meant German or Japanese?
Posted by letstakeawalk on September 3, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@Coldbeer - "No, it doesn't cost $800 or more..."
I agree with you there, on one of the sites I posted they have a patrol-ready Fugi for $600, or a Smith & Wesson for $400. Many of the Police packages also offer the strobes, racks, bags, and helmets that would otherwise have to be purchased seperately.
No one is saying they need the top of the line. Cops are known for being very easy on their equipment. The bikes will be kept in heated storage, never ridden in the rain or off-road, and they will certainly never be used for maneuvers more extreme than "maybe jumping a curb every now and then..." Now that's sarcasm.
If you'd really like to know the difference, I suggest anybody take out a Wal-Mart bike (the nicest you can find), and then go visit Mike's and look at their entry level bikes. Then ask questions about maintenance and replacement parts. I can guarantee you Wal-Mart offers neither. There's nothing wrong with making an informed decision.
Posted by drp7773 on September 3, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow someone must own stock in Mikes huh....just a thought.
Posted by sourhe on September 3, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The police can only use seized assets for certain things, if they don't use it they lose it. When I lived in GA the county sheriff had so much money they bought a brand new dodge VIPER !!!! They put a $15000 paint job and assigned a police officer to it. They said it was for the DARE program. I would rather they buy vests!!
Posted by letstakeawalk on September 3, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad to hear you enjoy your bike, CB. I never said anything about selling a maintenance plan - I only pointed out that they have trained mechanics who can make repairs, which is a nice service to offer. I mentioned Mike's because they are a good example of a locally owned business - I have no financial connections to them other than being a satisfied customer for almost 15 years.
Look at it this way, where do the cops buy their guns and other equipment? Do they go to the gun counter at Wal-Mart, or do they choose somewhere else? How about their uniforms? I'm not trying to start a huge debate, but are ya'll trying to imply that the only reason police-specialty equipment exists is to soak us taxpayers? Why can't the cops wear just any old pair of black boots? Have you seen the kind of tactical flashlights officers carry around? (rhetorical questions - but feel free to answer)
Posted by hawks10 on September 4, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.policeone.com/writers/columni...
There. Read it all. 5 years.