Sudbury police begin using fat bikes
Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) introduced a new program designed to increase safety and accessibility to officers in the downtown.
Community response officers have been utilizing fat bikes for the past two weeks, since it began to snow. These bikes are designed with thick tires to handle inclement winter weather like snow and ice.
“We got two fat bikes for our unit and that’ll allow us to continue our focus patrols in the downtown area,” said Constable Dale Bailey.
“Specifically, the businesses, the laneways, the alleys, areas that a cruiser isn’t easily accessed.”GSPS Constable Dale Bailey shows CTV News one of the force's new fat bikes. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)This is the first time Sudbury police have been able to expand their bike program to make it a year-round initiative.
Bailey told CTV News community response inspired the project.
“The need has been brought upon by the community and by the businesses in the downtown specifically,” Bailey said.
“There’s a need for a greater police presence. It allows us to be accessible in the community, in the downtown, very visible. It’s a great opportunity to engage with community members and businesses.”
Kyle Marcus from Downtown Sudbury said he believes there’s more benefits than negatives to this initiative.
“This is a great way for the GSPS to incorporate themselves into the community and really show they’re active, that they’re supporting,” Marcus said.
He added that an officer on a bike is a more calming presence.
“There’s more benefits than problems. I think what we’ll see is more community,” said Marcus.
He also told CTV News that he feels that increased police presence might provide comfort to people who don’t come downtown regularly.
“I would argue our members and businesses already feel safe, and what it might do is lend a little bit of opportunity to those who don’t come down here, and don’t educate themselves on what it’s actually like down here,” Marcus said.
He added that downtown is a hub of small businesses looking for support.
Officials with GSPS said they hope the program deters crime and increases safety.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.