Palmer Police unveil revitalized bicycle patrol program during community bike ride and picnic

PALMER — The Palmer Police Department unveiled its rebooted bicycle patrol program during the first annual Bike with the Blue event held in August.

This new annual event is a chance for members of the public to ride bicycles alongside PPD officers from downtown Palmer to the Matanuska River Park for a free community picnic.

Palmer High School resource officer Keith Barkwood and Colony High School/Colony Middle School/Pioneer Peak Resource officer Virginia Calvert led the first groups of local cyclists of all ages to participate in the inaugural event Aug. 12.

"I love the opportunity. I'm glad I could get out and get active with the kids," Calvert said.

Despite the steady rainfall, over 20 cyclists participated in the first Bike with the Blue event.

"Can't let a little rain stop you from being active right?" Calvert said. "I think we had a great turnout for our first time, especially considering the weather."

The first Bike with the Blue event served two purposes: establishing a new community tradition that helps humanize local law enforcement officers and raising awareness for the resurgence of the once-dormant bicycle patrol program.

"That outreach already pays for itself for what we want to get out of the program," PPD Sergeant Luke Szipszky said.

According to Szipszky, PPD utilized the bicycle patrol program a lot in the late 1990s and early 2000s but it eventually dwindled out. He said that this summer served as a soft launch for the program which will be fully operational by the summer of 2024.

"We look forward to expanding it next year," Szipszky said.

Barkwood rode the first of two pedal-assist bicycles that were customized for their purposes. He said the motorized bicycle helps take the edge of the riding experience but it doesn't do everything for him.

"I'm still getting a workout," Barkwood said with a laugh.

PPD was able to acquire the new bicycles thanks to grants from Thrive Mat-Su and MEA. Barkwood said they also have support from various business owners and community members to push the project forward. He said that he has been the main person spearheading this project and he's thankful to finally see it come to fruition after years of pushing for it. He said that full-on patrols will start next year.

"This is just a taste of what's to come,"

Both patrol bicycles will be utilized next summer, according to Barkwood. He said that he and Calvert will be the main officers engaging in bicycle patrols with others participating as well.

"It's going to be an awesome program for Palmer," Calvert said. "We've been finding it's pretty fast in the downtown core."

Barkwood said the bicycle patrol program fits really well with the SRO program since they can ride up to local youth and connect with them on a more human level.

"We are really focused on community policing," Barkwood said. "We should just be your neighbor."

For more information, visit palmerak.org/police

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com