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Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| TSU
police to begin bicycle patrol |
| The
Troy State University Police Department plans to launch a pilot
bicycle patrol program beginning the week of Jan. 8-12 when students
return to school for spring semester classes. University officials said the program will begin with one officer. Others may be added later, after the program has been properly evaluated. "Troy State University already has one of the safest campuses in the nation," John Schmidt, Vice President of Student Affairs, said. "This program will make the police officer more accessible and better connected to the students. We have studied programs on other campuses and we're excited about starting our own. Police Chief Rod Anderson said the program's benefits also include the ability for a rapid response in certain situations. "On a college campus, there are many places that are not easily accessible by car," Anderson said. "But a bike can go many places a car can't go." Anderson added that an officer on a bicycle also has the element of surprise on his side, because a car makes more noise. With rising fuel prices, a bicycle patrol also makes economic sense, Anderson said. Officer Leon Flowers will be TSU's first bicycle patrolman. He recently attended a five-day seminar to prepare for his new role. He is outfitted with a special lightweight racing bicycle built for speed. "It will be different," Flowers said. "I will be much more visible, and I'm looking forward to getting to know the students better." |