Police to get two Harleys

By John Grant Emeigh, of The Montana Standard - 12/15/2007

Not all bikers are outlaws.

Some of them will be wearing badges this spring.

The Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff’s Department was awarded a state grant to purchase two Harley-Davidson motor-cycles, and will start its new motorcycle patrol by May.

The Montana Department of Transportation announced Friday that it awarded the department $45,000 to purchase the bikes, police equipment for the bikes and uniforms for the two officers on the motorcycle patrol.

Sheriff John Walsh said the department officially requested the grant money in June.

Two police officers were already sent for motorcycle training in Lansing, Mich., in July. Walsh said he would announce the new motorcycle patrol officers at a later date.

The motorcycle patrol will be used primarily for enforcing traffic and drunken driving violations. Walsh says motorcycles prove to be more effective in rooting out traffic violators, because they are quicker and harder to spot by motorists.

The new patrol will also be used during special events, such as parades.

“It’s going to be a good p.r. (public relations) thing for the department,” Walsh said.

Walsh expects the motorcycles will be used from May until late September, depending on how early the snow comes. Once winter arrives, the officers on the motorcycle patrol will be moved to regular patrol cars, the sheriff said.

Jim Lynch, the transportation department director stated in a news release that this grant was a portion of $4.6 million secured by his department from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Lynch believes motorcycles will be effective in keeping the roads and highways safe.

“Motorcycles increase the mobility of police officers and aid in creating high visibility enforcement,” Lynch said.

Reporter John Emeigh may be reached at john.emeigh@mtstandard.com.