A bike patrol created by Red Deer Citizens on Patrol is hitting the trail system to provide assistance and extra eyes and ears for the RCMP.
“We’re out there doing whatever we can, wherever we can,” said bike patrol co-ordinator Brian Squires who came up with the idea for the patrol.
Six volunteers who work in pairs are trained for pilot program that started May 1 and runs until Oct. 1.
Squires said response from the public has been favourable and volunteers are starting to be recognized in their bright green shirts and backpacks filled with first aid kits and supplies.
So far he has been able to assist, for example, by providing bandages for a child who scrapped their knee, and contacting police on behalf of a resident concerned about downtown activity. He even encountered Citizens on Patrol from another area who wanted to find out about Red Deer’s bike patrol.
“You can’t complain about what’s going on if you’re not going to be part of the solution,” Squires said.
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RCMP Cpl. Mike Evans said the bike patrol is similar to Citizen on Patrol’s foot and vehicle neighbourhood patrols.
“We’re excited about it. They’re being well received. With the nice weather coming around, they are out there being visible. That’s the big thing,” Evans said.
Red Deer has a vast system of trails and the bike patrols will be very helpful, he said.
“The more people out there, the safer the community and those trail systems can be.”
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Squires said he was already a frequent cyclist on the trails.
He just added the green shirt and backpack.
“It’s all about being present and showing a friendly face.”
Anyone interested in joining the bike patrol is asked to contact Squires at briansquires.bp@gmail.com.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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