A potential safety issue has been raised as it relates to Police Officers assigned to the Bicycle Patrol Unit. In the discharge of their duties, officers have often found themselves in a position where they must either clear pedestrians from their path while riding at speed or engage a motorist for some sort of traffic violation or in the investigation of a suspicious incident. The bell affixed to their bicycle unit is often ineffective in gaining the attention of those they are trying to engage. A more efficient means of drawing necessary attention to themselves in the performance of these duties would be a bicycle appropriate siren attached to the police bicycles.  Such a siren is available and would make our officers and citizens safer.

The existing Village Code related to bicycle equipment precludes any siren or whistle being attached to a bicycle. An amendment to Section 18-501 of the Code, Bicycle Equipment, would allow a siren to be attached to law enforcement personnel bicycles.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board approve the attached Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 of the Arlington Heights Municipal Code to allow sirens on law enforcement personnel bicycles.