police motorcycle

University of Louisville Adds Motorcycle Unit to Increase Safety

University of Louisville students can expect to see two University of Louisville Police Department motorcycles around campus from now on. ULPD is testing out a new motorcycle program to enhance campus safety.

  • By Sherelle Black
  • December 03, 2019

As a way to increase safety and cut down response times on the University of Louisville’s campus, the university’s police chief has decided to introduce motorcycles into the mix.

“The University of Louisville Police Department has a consistent and proactive goal of innovation and enhancing safety across campus,” said ULPD chief Gary Lewis. “The addition of the Motorcycle Unit will enhance our ability to perform our mission. Motorcycles are cost and energy efficient, display effective mobility techniques, strengthen and builds [sic] upon public and community relations while improving campus coverage response times.”

The police department did not buy the motorcycles, instead they are leasing two bikes for a total of $30,000 from Harley Davidson for three years as this is just a pilot program for now.

Lewis said leasing the bikes are cheaper in comparison to buying a new patrol unit which can cost $40,000.

When it comes to patrolling areas of high traffic, Lewis said the bikes will be especially helpful.

“By their nature, high traffic areas can make it difficult to position a patrol car. Motorcycles, however, can be more effective at these locations due to the ease with which they can be positioned,” said Lewis. “Motorcycles can also assimilate into traffic for enforcement purposes easier than conventional patrol vehicles.”

Lewis said not only will the bikes help with traffic violations, it will also help reduce response times.

Any type of planning and you’re looking at resources that are available and what you can immediately deploy... absolutely," Lewis said. "This is something that we can add to that. We can add that response. You can look at it from a mobility perspective in navigating places where traditional motor vehicles cannot travel. So, I think it’s definitely a benefit.”

About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Gun Violence Report Finds Retail Spaces, K-12 Schools Most Targeted

    ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced the release of its annual Gun Violence Report, offering a deep dive into the landscape of gun-related incidents across the United States. This analysis extends beyond mass fatality events, providing a more nuanced understanding of when, where, and why shootings occur. Read Now

  • Cybersecurity is An Overlooked Threat on K-12 Campuses

    Improving physical security on K-12 campuses is always at the top of mind for decision makers like principals, superintendents, and many others with a focus on surveillance cameras, access control, and emergency drills. But cybersecurity something that needs as much scrutiny as in today’s digital landscape. Read Now

    • Communication

  • Four Fathers Stop School Shooter at Weekend Band Competition in Texas

    An 83-year-old man allegedly injured one during a school shooting at a band competition in a Houston suburb. According to a Facebook post by the Pasadena Police Department, the shooting happened after 6 p.m. at Pasadena Memorial High School on Saturday. Read Now

  • Tennessee School Shooter Partially Livestreamed Attack that Killed One

    The school shooter who killed one during an attack in Nashville, Tenn. partially livestreamed the attack. Read Now

Most   Popular