Bike Patrol Makes the Rounds

READY TO ROLL-The Harris County Hospital District Bike Patrol, standing, left to right, Darron Jackson, Anthony Smith, Reginald Hoskins and Anthony Gordon; and Chris Menekou, sitting, are members of the only bike patrol in the Texas Medical Center certified by the Houston Police Department.

Riding atop black mountain bikes, five of the Harris County Hospital District's finest patrol parking lots and sometimes escort employees and visitors going to and from their cars at the hospital district's three hospitals - Ben Taub, Lyndon B. Johnson and Quentin Mease.

HCHD's Bike Patrol, the only one certified by the Houston Police Department in the Texas Medical Center, began its work in November. Decked out in official uniforms and helmets, the squad is an impressive tool because it improves visibility and mobility of HCHD's security force. In addition, the squad has improved response times for security calls to employee, patient and visitor needs, reports William Jackson, director of HCHD's Logistical Support Services, which provide security to HCHD facilities.

Since its start, the squad is credited with a noticeable decrease in the number of car theft and vandalism reports and a more efficient patrol of Ben Taub Hospital's nine-floor parking garage, a structure that holds 1,500 parking spaces.

"We like to say that we claim nothing but compliment everything," said Chris Menekou, security supervisor. "We are definitely a visible deterrent and a way to enhance security and our ability to protect and serve."

Squad members first qualified for the HPD training program before starting the rigorous 40-hour program. Their training included track standing, the ability to stand upright on one's bike without moving, and tactical take-down, the ability to chase and subdue someone from a biking position.

"The HPD training program was a great thing for our staff to undergo," Jackson said.

Aside from the obvious security benefits, members of the squad have also realized a cardiovascular benefit. On average, members bike between 15 and 20 miles a day during their patrol.

Plans call for increasing the number of members and increasing their presence at other HCHD facilities throughout the county.

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/02_15_01/page_08.html