City Police Implementing Bicycle Patrol

(FROM LEFT, EFFINGHAM PARK DISTRICT DIRECTOR JEFF ALTHOFF, CITY POLICE SERGEANT JIM DILLOW, AND BIKE AND HIKE MANAGER ROBBIE SAMS)

Through a donation by the Effingham Park District of two Police Model Trek bikes, local residents will begin seeing officers on Bicycle Patrol, effective immediately.

The bicycles were purchased through Bike and Hike and are fully equipped for police patrol. Several officers have already completed the Certified Police Bicyclists training, and others are scheduled to go through the program in the near future.

Police Chief Jeffrey Fuesting is excited about the program that allows more community engagement between officers and the public. "Not only will this increase the capabilities of our law enforcement officers, it will allow us to interact more closely with citizens. Jeff Althoff with the Park District was instrumental in making this program happen, and I look forward to working with him to ensure a positive police presence in the city's parks, on the TREC Trail, at special events and in neighborhoods throughout the community."

Althoff was pleased to partner with the police department in the venture. "It's great when we can work together on projects like this that will truly benefit the community."

The Bicycle Patrol Program is part of an effort to enhance the quality of life in Effingham by providing responsive and professional services working with the public, preserving the peace, enforcing the laws, and maintaining safe neighborhoods.