The Ocala Police Department has restarted a bicycle unit that will patrol multiple hot spots around the city to provide increased visibility and enable officers to maneuver quickly.
On Thursday, the department announced the return of its Bike Unit. The unit will patrol downtown Ocala, the Paddock Mall, and Tuscawilla Park.
The new bike units will be able to maneuver around downtown and the mall more quickly than officers in traditional patrol vehicles, according to police.
In a video shared by OPD on social media, bike unit officers spoke of the benefits of being camouflaged among the crowds.
They also suggested that they could see things that officers couldn’t see in a car and could pass by individuals multiple times by maneuvering on sidewalks and side streets.
Bicycle units are popular among police departments across the nation, including many departments across Florida.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office operates a bike unit of 10 deputies who are certified Law Enforcement Bicycle Association members. Those deputies patrol various portions of the county on bikes.
Where else would you like to see the Ocala Police Department bike unit in the city? Share your thoughts in a comment or a letter to the editor.