December 3, 2007
Bikes are back — come show your support of reinstituted police program
The Petersburg Bureau of Police announces their partnership with Old Town Merchants and the Retail Merchants Association during the Dec. 4 (joint) Council meeting at 6:55 pm in the Petersburg High School Auditorium. The Partnership will involve an announcement to reinstitute the foot beat Officer to the patrol function in the area of the downtown and Old Town merchant areas.
The Retail Merchant Association has agreed to both sponsor the officerÔø?s uniform purchase as well as the purchase of a specialty Police Bicycle as an alternative method of transport and Bike Patrol.
Bicycle Patrols in high traffic merchant areas have shown to be a focused approach to crime and specifically a personalized problem solving strategy for these specialized areas.
In addition this assignment will create an ambassadorship and liaison function between the police, merchants and citizens who frequent the downtown areas. Mr. Preston Perrin, Retail Member Services Director and Mr. George Peyton Jr., VP of Government Relations for the Retail Merchants Association and The Old Town Merchant association met with Petersburg Police Chief John Dixon, to create the partnership plan.
Upon receipt of the equipment, a formal presentation is planned for Dec. 14, 2pm to kick off the Friday for the Arts event.
The coverage area of the bike patrol will be Halifax Triangle, downtown Petersburg, and the Old Towne Merchants area.
Also, it appears the public presentation on Dec 14 has been moved to 3:30pm, per this flyer.