New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-06
POLICEMEN ON BICYCLES.
STRONG PROBABILITY THAT A SQUAD WILL DE
ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN NEXT YEAR.

ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN NEXT YEAR
It is altogether likely that next year will a
squad of policemen In Brooklyn mounted on BIZ
cycles. Superintendent McKelvey is a progressive
man and wants Brooklyn to keep up with the pro-
cossiou. II II does not lead the way. He has not
taken to the bicycle as yet himself but II II not
imposslble that he may do 20 before another year
passes. At all events he has high opinion OF the
wheel and believes that II Is well adapted for GER
tain lines Of police work
Among the members Of the police force the d.
cycle is constantly gaining in popularity be-
fore the bicycle parade last June the suggestion
was made to Superintendent, Mckeivey that IT
would be a good idea II escort OF policemen on
bicycles could be provided and accordingly the
Superintendent had inquiries made 10 see "hether
there enough men on his force VINO khe" NO"
to ride 70 render this possible. To mis- surprise
when the returns came In 1t proved that s<&y OF
seventy policemen were skilful riders. and owned
wheels. 1t impossible to take them all. on. a
selection made of a dozen or hfteen' iea''hs
four or five times as many disappointed.
The showing which they made in the parade was
creditable and this, In connection with the TACT
that three park policemen were put on bicycles
by Park Commissioner Squier last summer ana
set to patrol the Coney Island Cycle Path, I'M
pressed on Mr. McKeveys mind the deslrabty OF
mounting a number OF policemen on wheels and
a recommendation in favor OF the establishment OF
q bicycle police squad will be made in the Super
intendents next annual report. As matter or iact
a start has already been made In this direction Tor
two policemen wheels have been patroInhs
part of the Coney Island and Gravesend district
during the last summer
For a large part Of the city. OF course. bicycles
would be worthless for police work, and even II all
the streets were we'll paved there would De no
thought In any sane mind Of mounting all policemen
on wheels Necessarily patrol work IN oWi.-up
sections must always be done by men on foot But
in the newer parts OF the city, where the houses
are scattered and the posts long. 1t is obvious
that much more efficient work might De acco"-
pshed by wheei-mounted men.
Sunerintendent McKelvey Is also Of the opinion
that streets on which there is much driving ana
wheeling ought to be patrolled by policemen Oh o'-
cycles He says that II Il bcycle-rider KNOCKS
soma one down and rides fast as possible IN
order 20 eyade responsibility for his conduct II Is
useless for a. policeman on horseback to try to
overtake him: the only possibility Of catching him
is by an officer on a wheel who knows how TO ride
well and can do so safely In a crowded thorough
fare So also in the case OF wheelmen who ride
faster than the law allows. II Policeman on
foot or one OF the present mounted squad under
takes to arrest of them. the oflcer VIII merely
have his labor for his pains. for the "heemah
has all the chances In his favor and can ordinarily
escape and jeer at his pursuer into the bargain.
But several occurrences in Prospect PARK TINS year
reckless riders and those who have done MISCHIEF,
and the same thing has been seen seVerai times o'
the Ocean Parkway. -, . ,.,,
II is the Superntendent's intention to recommend
the placing of policemen on Dlcycies aons beo-
ford-ave and perhaps on one or two otner streets
used thoroughfares for carriages ana oicyeies,
patrol a part at least OF the territory recently
annexed TO Brooklyn BY this means p a,roi me
will be enabled TO cover much more GROUND tnan
would be possible for men on foot. and they can
On over their beats several times In the time tnat
s,ngie round Without the assistance OF the bicycle
would occupy. AS the annexed territory when
Flatlands becomes part Of the city VIII De several
eaav to see that without some such aid good
deal Of ground would be left without adequa.s
ppniy means OF getting about was their feet
Experiments with bicycle police squads nave oeen
In other cities with results that demonstrate
the practicablity OF the idea. and there Is little
doubt that effort will be made to carry II INTO
effect in Brooklyn early next year.