- The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Bike Patrol has been logging miles in county neighborhoods. Â This past week deputies spoke to children about bicycle and pedestrian safety and answered questions about Indiana’s bicycle laws.
- Deputy Nathan Espenlaub explained, “It’s amazing what you notice when you are moving along silently on a bike. Â I introduced myself to several people who had no idea I was in the area until I spoke.” Deputy Espenlaub added, “The kids seem to spot me quick enough though, I passed out alot of stickers.”
Deputies will be on the bicycles throughout the summer and fall and will patrol neighborhoods, bicycle trails, walking paths and special events like the 4H Fair. Â Sheriff Dave Wedding stated, “I am looking forward to getting out there on a bike myself and talking to our neighborhood residents about their concerns.”
The new program utilizes specially outfitted bicycles that allow sheriff’s deputies to patrol areas commonly used by pedestrians and cyclists. The goal of the program is to increase bicyclist and pedestrian safety. Funding for equipment and overtime is being provided by a grant from theIndiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Pictured below: A few of the neighborhoods and trails the bike patrol has already visted (the route riden is shown in color.)
Previous Press Release:Â 2016-NR-018Â
