NCJ Number
45247
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 14-18
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT'S UNDERCOVER BICYCLE PATROL AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN APPREHENDING BURGLARS, PURSE-SNATCHERS, AND OTHER OFFENDERS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
EACH WEEK NIGHT, AT LEAST TWO PLAINCLOTHES OFFICERS RIDE BICYCLES THROUGH 3.5 SQUARE MILES OF STREETS AND ALLEYS IN LOS ANGELES' SKID ROW, CHINATOWN, JAPANESETOWN, GARMENT DISTRICT, AND FINANCIAL CENTER. THE BICYCLE PATROL OFFICERS FIND THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DETECT SOME CRIMES MORE QUICKLY AND SEE THEM MORE CLEARLY THAN IS POSSIBLE WHEN DRIVING PATROL CARS. THE BICYCLE PATROL HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN APPREHENDING BURGLARS. ALTHOUGH THE BICYCLE OFFICERS HAVE UNCOVERED CRIMES AT RANDOM, THEY DO NOT PERFORM A BLANKET PATROL DUTY. THE OFFICERS STUDY POLICE REPORTS TO DETERMINE PATTERNS AND THEN GO AFTER THE CAUSE OF A PROBLEM IN A PARTICULAR AREA. DURING A 30-DAY TRIAL PERIOD, THE BICYCLISTS MADE 22 ARRESTS, INCLUDING 11 DRUG BUSTS, 3 BURGLARIES, 2 ARMED ROBBERIES, AND 2 ASSAULTS WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. THE QUALITY OF ARRESTS IS IMPROVED DUE TO THE ABILITY OF THE BICYCLE OFFICERS TO APPREHEND UNSUSPECTING OFFENDERS IN THE ACT.