County Sheriff's Office Unveils New Bicycle Patrol Unit

Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono introduced the new MCSO Bike Patrol Unit during a press conference at the courthouse in Norristown on Wednesday.

The 10 member bike unit, which consists of the three supervisors and seven deputies, has completed training and will patrol outside the courthouse, the SEPTA Transportation Center, the Montgomery Intermediate Unit, the Montco bike trails and parks, and community events.

“I want to thank District Attorney Risa Ferman, Pottstown Borough Mayor Sharon Thomas and Police Chief Richard Drumheller for their generous support and donations to our new bike unit,” said Bono in a press release. “No tax dollars were used to pay for this unit.”

Drumheller donated over a dozen bikes from the Pottstown Borough Police Bike Unit, which had recently been upgraded. A $5,000 donation from an anonymous donor helped to get the bikes repaired and ready for service.

Ferman, who donated $10,000 for uniforms and special equipment, commended Bono on his new program and said she felt good about putting confiscated funds from criminals to good use.

“It’s important for citizens to feel safe and this will help in improving relationships between law enforcement and the community,” Ferman said.

Bono added that the MCSO Bike Patrol Unit is an opportunity to use deputies when courthouse activities are running slow.

Members of the unit have completed the International Police Mountain Bike Association Training. The certification requires a written exam and 32 hours of bike training that included riding up and down steps, emergency stopping, a 40-mile bike ride and riding through various obstacle courses.

Thomas said that law enforcement staff innovation in the sheriff’s office is enhancing safety around the courthouse and that it’s always positive to collaborate with the county seat.

(PHOTO/Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office photo. (front row) Dep. Brian Roth, Dep. Bryan Lukens, Bike Unit Commander Sgt. Patricia Haas, Cpl. Terrence Cullin, (back row) Dep. Christopher Bailey, Dep. Vincent Roncace, Lt. Thomas McDonald, Dep. Edwin Walker, Dep. Matthew Dean, (not shown) Dep. Brittany Rosenfeld)