The creativity of the Batanes Police Mobile Force Platoon in patrolling the island on bike is a fresh start to further improve community presence and relations, energy & cost savings, a faster police response in all community calls and law enforcement activities at the northernmost province in the country.
In an effort to increase police presence and public perception, police officers on bike is enough to start overcoming some negative perceptions towards the police especially to some members belonging to the culturally diverse population towards the police.
Unlike patrol vehicles on the beat, bicycle patrols give an opportunity for the police to mingle and talk to community folks along the way. The strong and negative attributes associated with patrol cars – loud sirens, flashing lights, always on emergency mode are not associated with bicycle patrol. As a result, people who come in proximity with the police officers on bikes have an initial point of contact and most likely be more cooperative and willing to listen along the way.
Not only bike patrol increases police visibility and presence in the streets; it promotes sustainable development and preservation of its old tradition and culture, interconnectivity, and reduce pollution for safer and greener Batanes. In law enforcement, it is very helpful in pursuing suspects especially in a congested area such as alleys in the Barangays.
Patrol on bikes serves as an extremely versatile approach and tool for police officers for an immediate and fast response to law enforcement and even for emergency medical needs. One of the biggest advantage of bicycle patrol is its ability to navigate around swiftly, avoiding obstacles and hazards in its tracks compared to patrol cars.
The bikes being used in street patrols are privately owned by PNP personnel assigned in the Batanes island province.
by: Empoy Kabrador
source; https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=306163131554646&id=100064828835197