Police Back Pedaling Streets and Walking Beats

Police officers are walking beats and pedaling streets again as seasonal patrolling is underway.

A regular on these patrols is officer Michael Roads, a nine-year veteran of the Marblehead Police Department.

"Roads on the roads," said Marblehead police Chief Robert Picariello.

The officer, standing outside the station's entrance by his Trek bike, said he carries out duties from a bike as he does from a cruiser.

And the bike and walking beat brings him closer, more accessible to people, which he likes.

The department has six Trek bikes and a number of officers take turns on the seasonal patrols.

The police chief said bike and walking beat officers will focus on business districts (parking enforcement) as well as patrol remote areas such as the railroad bed on bikes.

People like to see the officers out and about.

The open air patrolling typically continues to the beginning of December.

In the meantime, look for officers — in polo shirts and shorts in the warmer weather to come — pedaling streets, parks and paths.