Coming Soon: Romeoville Bike Patrol

will soon have one more tool in their crime-fighting arsenal. Village trustees on Wednesday approved Chief Mark Turvey’s proposal to create a five-person bike patrol.

The unit would consist of a sergeant and four officers who would patrol neighborhoods, parks and bike trails during the warmer months, Turvey said. Officers would conduct bike patrols in teams of two and would also be a presence at local festivals and outdoor events, he said.

Turvey said members of the bike patrol will take a 40-hour training course. The police department expects to pay about $1,000 per bike, plus the cost of equipment including lights, sirens and saddle bags.

On Wednesday, Turvey said he wasn’t sure exactly how much the program will cost the village.

“It’s not really expensive but it’s going to be several thousand (dollars),” he said.

Turvey said benefits of the program include bringing police officers into closer contact with residents.

“They’re more likely to interact (with a bicycle officer) than an officer in a squad,” he said. “They’re more approachable.”

Officers on bicycles will also have access to areas that squad cars can’t reach, such as trails and paths.

“It’s an effective crime-fighting tool also,” he said.

Trustee Jose Chavez said the program will fill a need in the community.

“We have a lot of trails that exist now,” he said. “It’s the right time to do it.”