Are there any cops on bikes in South Philadelphia? I haven't seen any, and I wondered how much safer the streets might become if there were cops on bikes augmenting the ones inside their vehicles.

I think that in dense neighborhoods this would be an ideal way to patrol more thoroughly, and provide more low-level surveilance of what's going on in the neighborhood, than a cop driving by in a vehicle provides. The obvious goal would be that crime would drop, and a side-benefit to PB readers would be not having to see ljlong's constant posting of every criminal activity in S. Philadelphia, since there would be less to report ;-) .

There are other positive spin-offs that might occur, should the cops decide to pursue this method.
- South Philadelphia is flat, and would be easy to ride for cops.
- More awareness of the negative affects of poor parking enforcement in this part of the city.
- More visibility to the problems of trash being thrown everywhere.

Any thoughts on this?

South Street has bike cops, but I think you're referring to the residential areas. I think it would be a great idea. A few guys walking the beat too.


Passyunk Ave used to have a cop that rode around on a horse

There definitely need to be more cops walkin the beat everywhere in the city. I'll see like 30 cops beat cops on a Friday night in Old City, just standing around watching everything. But where they really need to be, never seen any cops on foot ever!

Funny this blog started, because just last night I saw 2 cops on bikes heading north on 22nd at 22nd and Washington. I have never seen them in this area and was surprised.....and hopeful this is the start of something new.

I think bike cops are a great idea. I see them every now and then on Frankford Ave. I wonder if the reason you do not see more of them is because they can't get the police to fill the postions. Everyone seems to like them and want more in their own neighborhood.

I would think the problem with bike cops would be cost.

A cop in a car can cover a much greater area and respond to calls in different areas of the city on assist calls.

Bike cops would be relegated to a small area only.

That being said, I like the idea.

-UC

A SOSNA Board member recently met with Community Relations Offcr. Nesmith of the 17th Police District, who stated that we have the bikes already.

Those bikes came from an initiative by Wash. Ave business people, who bought the bikes.

We just don't have the line item in the police budget for officers.

If we want to get real about funding the police (and schools) we really have to deal honestly with the issue of prompt property tax collection.

Right now, my neighbor owes about $8K in property taxes, but is having renovation done. I hear the Sawz-all going right now and she has a crew of guys in there. But she goes in to Revenue and says she's on a fixed income. Her income is fixed except for what she earns under the table.

Is it fair? Is it smart to have high crime and lots of unpaid tax bills in an area where the property taxes are much lower than the suburbs already?

That's true to an extent, but bike cops generally do cover quite a bit of ground in their districts and are far more nimble at pursuing suspects fleeing on foot than are cops in patrol cars. I know in Center City when I see a suspect cuffed on a street corner, it is more often than not bike cops who made the pinch, with patrol cars arriving a few minutes later as backup.

__________________
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Jayfar
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“I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional (sic) Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.

Let me give you an example of how bad the system is at collecting taxes promptly and fairly.

This week at Sheriff sale, there is a property for sale on the 2400 block of Carpenter. This person got the property transferred to her by a relative for $1.00. She therefore does not pay rent, and did not pay a mortgage until 1980.

Her taxes are $616.00 per year.

She owes $8,000.00 in back taxes.

The city lets someone stop and start a payment plan as often as they want.

So instead of letting the property sell to an owner who can stay up on the taxes, and instead of letting the taxes be paid in full this week, the city will let the person make a couple payments, then stop.

Then the collection process starts again.

This is John Street's idea of fiscal responsibility.

There is no way we can pay for police and schools without this income now.

This woman had a lifetime to figure out how to pay her miniscule property taxes, and if she can't, then isn't it true that she can't afford to own?

I frankly would rather have this person in a rental unit and bike cops on my streets.

But it takes a strong mayor who understands that citizens have a duty to contribute equitably to their city.

I was recently informed by a 1st District officer that the whole 1st District (Broad to Schuylkill Expressway, Moore St. south to the Naval Yard) only has 2 bike cops. He said there aren't more because of budget reasons, but he agreed that more are needed because they are great in areas such as parks, rec. centers, and alleyways.