Urbana U. unveils bicycle patrol unit

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Urbana University announced the addition of a bike patrol to its campus security efforts.

The unit is one of a number of security enhancements made at the university over the past two years.

Bicycle units have become a great means of providing improved community relations, cost savings, faster officer response times and environmental benefits. The security staff will undergo 40 hours of certified International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) training later this month.

During the initial basic training, officers will receive instruction on riding skills and equipment maintenance, as well as bicycle patrol tactics and slow-riding maneuvers.

Curtis Smith, Urbana University security manager, will be developing the policies and procedures for the Urbana University officers, utilizing his previous experience as an IPMBA certified police officer with the Department of Air Force stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

“University bicycle units can patrol campus in a way that cars and officers on foot can’t,” Curtis said. “Bicycles provide officers with the advantage of being able to hear and see things as if they are on foot, but also have the speed and ability to respond to locations on campus, sometimes more efficiently and faster than in a vehicle.”

For more on Urbana University’s campus security, visit www.urbana.edu/student-life/campus-safety.

About Urbana University

Founded in 1850, Urbana University serves more than 1,800 students from around the world from its 128-acre campus in Urbana.

Known for innovative academic programs that feature personal attention from faculty, the university offers more than 30 undergraduate programs and several graduate degrees, delivering course work in class, online, or a combination of both.

Blue Knights athletics includes 15 NCAA Division II sports along with intercollegiate bowling, cheerleading and shooting sports.

Curtis Smith, Urbana University security manager, shows the university’s new bicycle unit.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2017/07/web1_Bike-Unit.jpgCurtis Smith, Urbana University security manager, shows the university’s new bicycle unit. Submitted photo

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Submitted by Urbana University.

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