APD Downtown Police Augment Patrols with New E-powered Police Cycles

Albuquerque, NM – Officers with the Downtown Police Command have extra tools to increase their visibility and community presence with two new e-powered police bikes.

Albuquerque City Councilor for District 2 Joaquín Baca and APD were listening when Downtown businesses and residents requested more foot patrols in the area. Through meetings with APD Downtown Command, Councilor Baca learned that officers on foot patrol downtown needed to be able to respond more quickly to calls for service. The councilor asked the patrol officers what they thought would help. The APD Downtown Command staff shared that the use of e-bikes would maintain officer visibility in the community while eliminating the time needed to walk back to a patrol car to answer dispatched calls.

“Our community wanted increased community policing in Downtown,” said Councilor Baca. “We also want fast response times to our calls when we need police. Bicycle police patrols have a proven record of providing officer visibility without affecting response times to dispatched calls in an often-congested area.”

APD Downtown Substation Deputy Commander Jose Sanchez, told Councilor Baca that RECON Interceptor Power Police Cycles were already in use by the department. The Councilor approved the purchase of two RECON Interceptors for the Downtown Substation. The units will be used primarily downtown and in specific areas like the Silver Market.

“The response from residents and businesses downtown has been extremely positive,” said Commander Jose Sanchez. “Our bike patrol officers can maneuver better with the Power Bikes during high traffic periods and special events.”

The RECON Interceptor Police Power Bicycles can reach speeds of up to 30 mph and can travel as far as 50 miles on a single charge and come loaded with tech that assists the officers in their duties.