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Officers say new motorcycles get them where they're needed
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Published: June 19, 2008
Updated: 06/18/2008 08:41 pm
KERNERSVILLE
The signature growl of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle can now be heard in the subdivisions and other areas around town, followed in some cases by the squawk of a police siren.
After four days of extensive training on motorcycle safety and maneuvering last month, officers James Deeny and Greg Hiatt were ready to hit the road on the Kernersville Police Department's two new Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
"I feel like they're paying me for a hobby instead of work," Deeny said.
Deeny, who has ridden motorcycles for the past 12 years, said that they are working great and that they are easy to ride through places where accidents have occurred.
"I actually feel safer on the motorcycle than in my patrol car," he said.
"It's easy to get in and out of wrecks."
Deeny said that the motorcycles are also being used to patrol local subdivisions such as Kings-
wood, McConnell and Harmon Mill.
"We can go into residential areas and pull into a resident's driveway without blocking the home-owners," Deeny said.
Capt. Steve Bowman, who oversees patrol operations for the police department, said that the motorcycles have been a great asset so far.
"We've actually had them in different places where we've had speed complaints," he said.
Hiatt, who also had years of experience on motorcycles, said that in the past, it was hard to go into subdivisions because there wasn't any place to park a patrol car.
However, with something small like the motorcycle, he can park anywhere.
"We had a bunch of complaints in various neighborhoods," he said.
"Now we're able get in there to do the enforcement we need to do."
Hiatt said that because they are able to park in the subdivisions, they have increased their presence in those areas and there seem to be fewer complaints.
Bowman said that the motorcycles are being enjoyed by the department and the community.
"They are attention getters," he said.
"We've gotten positive remarks so far."
Bowman also said that Deeny and Hiatt weren't only ones having fun, either.
"I've actually test driven them," he said.
■ Erik Spencer can be reached at 992-0067 or at ehill@wsjournal.com.
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