The Town of Islip Public Safety Division launched its Bike Patrol Unit, the first of its kind in the Town. Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter made the announcement after the Town Board approved the donation of two bicycles by Miller and Caggiano, LLP of Bohemia, as well as the purchase of two additional bicycles through the use of ARPA funding, making a total of four bicycles available to the Town’s park rangers and harbor patrol unit.
Through the initiative, rangers will have the ability to patrol across the Town’s marinas and parks on bicycles, and through the Town’s corresponding Boat, Dock and Ride initiative, harbor patrol units can now widen their presence in multiple Fire Island communities in just one stop. Town park rangers and Harbor Patrol Unit officers were recently trained on bike patrol protocol by the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group’s five-day bike course.
“The bike unit provides a unique opportunity for rangers to focus on proactive policing, and engage with the citizenry on a more personal level,” said Carpenter. “The face-to-face contact with the public allows the bike unit to be more involved with the community. People are more likely to approach a ranger on a bicycle, and this fosters positive interaction, by making personal contact with our youth, our businesses community and homeowners.”
The bike unit will be used for events like races, parades, and civic demonstrations, and will focus on objectives including an increased awareness of bicycle safety, education and training; safety concerns for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists; quality of life issues or hazards; and deter criminal activity, where motorized or foot patrols are impractical.
“Through Boat, Dock and Ride, we’re able to dock in one location, and patrol multiple communities,” said Tony Prudenti, commissioner Town of Islip Public Safety. “If you see a town ranger on a bike, say hello,” said Prudenti.
