Town of Islip Launches New Bike Patrol Unit

ISLIP, NY — The Town of Islip's law enforcement is rolling out a new initiative.

The town's Public Safety Division recently launched its Bike Patrol Unit, the first of its kind in the Town, Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter announced.

Through the program, rangers can patrol across the Town’s marinas and parks on bicycles. This will also allow harbor patrol units to widen their presence in multiple Fire Island communities in just one stop, through the Town’s corresponding ‘Boat, Dock and Ride’ initiative, a press release announced.

“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 Supervisor Carpenter. “The face-to-face contact with the public allows the bike unit to be more involved with the community."

The unit currently holds four bikes: two donated by Miller and Caggiano, LLP of Bohemia, as well as two purchased through the use of ARPA funding, the Town said.

The bike unit will be used for events like races, parades, and civic demonstrations. It will also focus on bicycle safety awareness, 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.

Town park rangers and Harbor Patrol Unit officers were recently trained on bike patrol protocol by the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group’s 5-day bike course, a press release said.

"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,” said Supervisor Carpenter.