9 investigates: CMPD using bikes, dirt bikes to patrol parks, greenways

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There are nearly 200 miles of greenways in and around Charlotte for police officers to patrol, which doesn’t include the more than 120 parks.

Channel 9 got an up-close look at how officers are going to those areas with onboard cameras, as anchor Blaine Tolison tagged along on bike patrol.

CMPD Capt. Christian Wagner, who leads the new transit unit, said the team will be crucial to keeping you safe this spring and summer.

Officers are using dirt bikes and bicycles to patrol parks and greenways.

"I think it's great to be visible to the people that come through the parks,” Wagner said.

Wagner said they are more proactive than ever before, and it starts by officers being seen and heard.

Channel 9 learned the process is already working.

During the ride-along, officers tended to a woman who fell on the McMullen Creek Greenway.

She was OK and brought out by an off-road vehicle to waiting firefighters.

Officers are using this new transit unit to respond to crime quickly to make sure parks and greenways are safe for the public.

Tolison spent weeks looking at crime maps and requesting crime reports.

In the six months leading into spring 2018, Channel 9 learned that of the 126 parks, there were 15 serious crimes in parks, or just outside on the surrounding streets, including murder, two sex crimes and several robberies and incidents involving a gun.

"I noticed the police officers come with the bike and ride around,” Charlotte resident Dahina Joasial said. “Just that, make me feel, like, OK.”

Freedom Park, which didn't have any serious crimes in recent months, has been plagued with car break-ins. There were more than a dozen there in the past six months.

Wagner said car break-ins are the top crime issue in parks.

Some of the victims who found their window shattered at Freedom Park told Channel 9 they felt like someone watched them as they parked because of how quickly the crime happened.

Wagner said patrols can't be everywhere, so police want people to leave valuables at home and lock their car doors.

Wagner said an advantage of bike patrols is that thieves don't know when they are coming.

Cox Media Group