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Atsugi Security Reinforces Navy Bike Patrol Program

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090818-09
Release Date: 8/18/2009 5:09:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Allison Pittam, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Physical Security Police enhanced the Navy Bike Patrol Program this year with a new training program that added 21 additional personnel and a night patrol unit.

While NAF Atsugi has had a bike patrol program since 2002, it has not had a certified instructor to train additional personnel. As of 2008, only five Navy bike patrol personnel remained in the department to conduct bike patrol. A change to the program and its capabilities began to take shape last year.

"When I was transferred to Atsugi, the bike patrol program was very undermanned. I worked with security to implement a training program to increase the number of available bike patrol personnel," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeremy Ferguson, who has been a certified bike patrol instructor since 2006.

Ferguson held the first weeklong training class in May. Since then, 21 students have graduated from the course. According to Ferguson, the program has proven effective and there are plans to add more trained personnel.

NAF Atsugi's weeklong Bike Academy course is held on base and covers basic bicycle maintenance and safety as well as more physically challenging curriculum including how to ride down a set of stairs.

"While some of the more physical training left some students with bumps and bruises, it has not stopped master-at-arms personnel from applying to be on one of the bike patrol units," Ferguson said.

To take the course, security requires that master-at-arms personnel meet basic rating requirements, are highly motivated and physically fit.

Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jessica Walker, who met all the basic requirements, applied for and recently passed the course and is now part of NAF Atsugi's bike patrol team.

"Bike patrol is exactly the same as being in a vehicle," said Walker. "We wear our bulletproof vest and our regular duty belt including our weapon. The only difference is we have to pedal."

Even after the bumps and bruises, earned while learning to bike down the stairs, Walker said it was worth it.

"It was a challenging week," said Walker. "We did a lot of riding around the base, maneuvering tight spots, going down stairs and learning shortcuts through alleyways, over grass and between houses."

Additional course curriculum included how to change front and rear flat tires, techniques for riding safely at night and the importance of protective gear.

"It's a good assignment because of the change of pace," said Walker. "Biking is great exercise, and it keeps me in shape to do my job. It's also community friendly because we're more approachable than in a vehicle."

Moreover, the units are able to approach more areas than in a vehicle, and this has become especially effective at night Ferguson explained.

"We conduct building and perimeter checks on night patrol and have found it is a big deterrent to vandalism," said Ferguson, who also trains personnel to patrol after dark. "We have also surprised a few occupants in the barracks who didn't expect to see us on bicycles."

In addition to decreasing vandalism and having a positive impact on the community, the program is cost effective. Ferguson said he looks forward to crunching the numbers to see how much the department saves during the next year.