HELENA – The Helena Police Department has officially started its downtown summer bike patrol.
The bike patrol covers areas such as Last Chance Gulch and the Walking Mall that can sometimes be difficult to drive through.
Officers Mani Peterson and Kyle Walter were specially trained for the summer patrol. They took a 32-hour bike training course in Ogden, Utah to prepare. In order to become certified, each officer had to pass a written and practical exam.
Their bikes are brand new and were specially designed in Helena.
Officer Kyle Walter spoke with MTN stating, “With summertime coming and warmer weather coming in, obviously, the downtown area picks up. There’s a lot more foot traffic in the Walking Mall, the name says it all, ‘Walking Mall,’ so we obviously can’t get our cars up and down it too often, especially with crowds of people.”
Walter added that bikes are more accessible and approachable to the public.
Officials at the Helena Police Department stated they are excited to offer bike patrol officers as a resource to the community.
-Reported by Christine Sullivan/MTN News
