LA PALMA : Police on Bikes to Begin Patrols

At the suggestion of police officers who want to more closely patrol the community, the Police Department soon will deploy a team of officers riding black and white mountain bikes.

“Bicycles take the officers out of the car and closer to the citizens, but it gives them more mobility than walking a beat,” Police Chief Norman Hansen said Tuesday.

The La Palma Police Officers Assn. and the La Palma Reserve Officers Assn. donated $1,300 to purchase and outfit two bicycles that will be used on special-assignment patrol duties throughout the city. Initially, two reserve officers have volunteered for the patrol, although full-time officers also will become part of the bicycle patrol once the program hits the asphalt later this month or early November, Hansen said.