Officers D. Terry and K. Seafus patrol local parking lots at retail centers, apartment communities and hotels.

WESTCHASE DISTRICT LAUNCHES BIKE PATROLS

The Westchase District is supplementing its public safety program with bicycle patrols by bike-certified police officers from the Houston Police Department.

"These patrols supplement our vehicle patrols.  They don't take the place of them," said Westchase District Public Safety Director Mark Hubenak.

Officers on bicycles are focusing on apartment community parking lots, hotel parking lots and retail parking lots -- the places where criminals can often escape quickly thanks to the dense environment. 

"Officers are bikes are more mobile than their counterparts in a vehicle, so they're more likely to catch the bad guys," added Hubenak.

"We'll be experimenting with bike patrols during the summer months when criminal activity spikes.  If they're successful, we'll certainly continue them," said Hubenak.