TOLEDO, Ohio -
The Toledo Police Department is bringing back its motorcycle fleet to patrol high crime areas. The question is: Will motorcycles be an effective crime fighting tool?
The department hopes the new bikes will help fight crime, but the public isn't so sure.
Police say officers on bikes are more visible and approachable than when traveling in cars. TPD is getting nine new 2012 Harley Davidson electric glide motorcycles
Officers say the motorcycles are more than just a police toy. They're like a squad car, only on two wheels
The department's motorcycle fleet was disbanded in 2004 after the traffic unit was downsized because of the dwindling number of officers on the streets.
In the past, the bikes were strictly used for traffic enforcement.
Sergeant Tyson Coates says the unit will now patrol high crime areas.
"There will be seven or eight of us on motorcycles so we can saturate the area," Sgt. Coates says. "Stop cars, stop people, talk to them and try to get the information on to the dispatcher and patrol cars so we can try to solve the crimes."
Toledo has been plagued with gang activity, drugs and gun violence.
Some citizens question if the motorcycles will make a difference.
"I don't believe it will help anything," says one resident. "If they need to put more officers out, do that. But I don't think that motorcycles are going to answer anything. I just think it's them wanting to ride around on motorcycles toys, you know, big boy toys"
Others disagree.
"I think it will be a good idea," says another Toledo resident. "There's a shooting like every night in the summertime, on every corner"
Toledo resident Rochelle Sims says, "They can just get to the streets a lot quicker on a motorcycle rather than a car."
She's right. Police say the motorcycles are nearly twice as fast as squad cars and can maneuver down tight alleys or through traffic on crowded streets.
The owner of Toledo Harley Davidson is working with TPD to put all the bells and whistles on the bikes, so officers have what they need when they're on patrol.
"You might have to avoid some people or debris or get up into a yard. These bike are very capable of that, as opposed to some other bikes that don't turn around as well and can get a guy in a jam if he's not careful"
The police department also hopes the motorcycles will help to improve community policing, build relationships with local kids, and help with ongoing investigations.
"We'll be in the neighborhood patrolling, so people can stop and talk to us," Coates says. "We can see the problems."
Local taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for the motorcycles. Toledo police say they were paid for by a federal grant.
When can you expect the motorcycle unit to hit the streets?
TPD hopes to have the motorcycles out on the streets by March or April. Police say the motorcycles will not be used in chases. That will remain a function of patrol cars.
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