Law enforcement introduces friendly
bike patrols in base neighborhoods
By Christina Ko, Seoul Bureau
Andy Dunaway / Stars and Stripes
Army Pvt. Marcos Gutierrez, left, and Army Spc. Adam Trace, of the 94th Military Police
Battalion, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, talk with Patricia Dorsey in a family housing area. |
YONGSAN GARRISON — Patrol officers on bikes are pedaling the
streets here to give community members a more accessible police force.
“They’re here to encourage people to speak and interact
with patrolmen,” said Maj. Alan Kincaid, deputy provost marshal, of the program,
which started July 4.
Patrol officers traded their camouflaged uniforms and rugged jeeps
for less-intimidating white collar T-shirts, navy blue shirts and white bicycles.
“Last week, we got to know a family in the housing area,”
said Army Pvt. Marcos Gutierrez. “The next time we saw them, they remembered us by
first names, and that felt good.”
Bike patrols add a visible measure of security to areas often
inaccessible by cars, such as school areas and some neighborhoods.
“If something goes on, people will feel more comfortable calling
one of the bike patrols,” said Kincaid. “It’s important to establish trust
with the community.”
Bike patrol members must be physically fit, have good personalities
and sharp communication skills. Many patrol members are also younger.
Currently, the bike patrol program is designed only for the summer.
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