Police work is constantly evolving. We are always looking for ways to improve on what we do and how we do it. Over the years we in law enforcement have strayed away from some things that worked in the past, for instance, the neighborhood "COP."

Bicycles are not a new idea. In the late 1800s many of the largest city police departments utilized bicycles to cover their beats. As time went on, the bicycle was replaced by the automobile. As evolution had it, cities grew and became more congested. Parks were built restricting motor vehicle access. Walking malls were designed for pedestrian traffic only.

Here in Newburyport we have the Waterfront Park , Inn St. Mall, along with the city's many parks and close-knit neighborhoods. The rebirth of bike patrols came in 1988 in Seattle Washington , when a sergeant, a mountain bike enthusiast, convinced superiors that mountain bikes would be a quick and efficient means of patrolling congested streets, alleyways and busy sidewalks, just to name a few.

The result in Newburyport has been a more efficient patrol officer who is more accessible to members of the Community providing direct ties to residents and businesses. In addition, the Mountain Bike Patrol has proven to be a great tool in enforcing the law as well as being a deterrent to crime.