By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
 Coaster Photo: Bradley Beach Police Officer James Arnold speaks with business owner Alex Laverde on Main Street during a department directed foot patrol. |
Area police departments are feeling the pinch of high gasoline prices as much as their residents and some have implemented fuel saving strategies.
In Bradley Beach efforts at controlling fuel costs are having the added benefit of increasing personal relations with merchants and residents, said Lt. Neil Scully.
Scully said officers have been directed to devote at least one half hour twice during their shifts to walking the beat.
It serves a dual purpose, conserving fuel and helping with community policing efforts, Scully said. It gives the police one-on-one time with our merchants and residents as well.
One time, Scully said, an officer began walking the beat where some kids were playing whiffle ball.
The kids really got a kick out of it the next thing, the cop had a whiffle bat in his hand, he said. They see the officer in a different light.
Scully said although the new program just started they are already seeing a decline in the number of gallons of gas tracked each day. Officers are also doubling up on non-busy days, he said.
Obviously not on a Friday or Saturday night, Scully said. Or (if) we start getting a lot of calls coming in.
Liquor store owner Alex Laverde said he is enjoying the personal attention from patrol officers.
I love it, he said. They gotta do their jobs, he said.
Laverde said it makes him feel safer as a business owner in town.
They should be able to do their jobs, he said.
In Asbury Park, Chief Mark Kinmon said his department is working to conserve fuel as well.
Its a little bit easier this time of year, he said. We have officers walking and on bikes.
Kinmon said police are using the electric cart near the beachfront and in the business district.
I would like to get another one of those, he said.
The chief also said the two horse units that have been added to the department save on fuel.
We use them everyday when we can, he said.
Kinmon also said the department is looking into purchasing hybrid vehicles in the future.
There is a police department in North Jersey that just bought one, he said.
Kinmon also said officers have been instructed to turn off patrol cars when they make a stop.
Dont leave the car running, he said. Sometimes they are at one call for a half an hour.
Lt. William Monroe in Neptune said his department has not changed its methods, but since 2004 the department has been looking for more fuel efficient vehicles.
We definitely noticed that the Chevy models we have been using are more fuel efficient , he said.
We have walking patrols in Ocean Grove in the summer and we have the Segways, he said, referring to the stand up scooters the township purchased two years ago.We are always trying to look toward more efficient equipment. Ill probably see the day when well have hybrids they are not in the police market yet.
Monroe said LED lighting on police vehicles is also more energy efficient.
LED lights have a longer battery life, he said.
But Monroe said in police work, its safety first.
In Neptune City Chief William Geschke said he is doubling up if he has extra officers on instead of sending out a third car.
 Coaster Photo: Bradley Beach Police Officer James Arnold begins his walking patrol at headquarters. |
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