Aksarben Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association raising money for new Omaha police patrol bikes
The group hopes to purchase two bikes for OPD
The group hopes to purchase two bikes for OPD
The group hopes to purchase two bikes for OPD
A growing area of Omaha wants to see more police pedaling their streets, but there is a need for more patrol bikes.
Residents in the Aksarben Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association said between the ever-expanding entertainment district at Aksarben Village and the number of trails and parks in the area, police bike patrols make sense.
"We found out about the bike patrol, and I was interested to know how I could get those bikes patrols in Aksarben," Jen Bauer, AEPNA president said, "And through that and through Vanessa, I learned that there's a shortage of bikes."
Bauer talked with Omaha Police Department crime prevention specialist Vanessa Urbach about the effort. Now, the neighborhood association is raising money to purchase new gear for the southwest precinct, which covers their area.
The online fundraiser seeks to collect $3,600 for two new bikes, helmets and accessories.
"We have trails, we have the Big Papio, there's been some incidents. I just think this would be a good idea," Bauer said.
The specialized bikes used by OPD are shared across all precincts. Urbach said many of them are dedicated to the riverfront and the Old Market. Urbach explained the southwest precinct typically has six bikes, but three are out of service right now.
"Trying to get more equipment is a struggle when you have limited budget so our community heard that and rallied," Urbach said, "We want to be seen, and we want to know our neighbors and we want that community involvement."
Omaha's southwest precinct covers significant ground, running from 42nd Street out to Elkhorn and from Dodge Street to Harrison Street.
All money raised with go to the Omaha Police Foundation.
"We believe in community policing, as they do, as a way to build the neighborhood," Bauer said.