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June 30, 2008
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Santa Cruz officers become 'It guys' on ATVs
By Genebiebe Bookwalter
The Santa Cruz Sentinel SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — If that police officer riding past you seems better looking than before, stop and ask yourself: Is it the officer or the ATV? Santa Cruz police say they have become more popular, boosted recruitment and busted more criminals since the department acquired four all-terrain vehicles earlier this year. Patrolling atop the new four-wheelers "just does so much for us because people love them," Capt. Steve Clark said while sitting on an ATV parked on the San Lorenzo River levee Friday afternoon. "They want to talk to you, wave to you, kids want to sit on them." As if to prove his point, a group of women strolling down the levee stopped to admire the machines as Clark spoke. He cheerfully stepped down so one of them could climb into the driver's seat. "It's so comfortable," she exclaimed. The Santa Cruz Police Department bought the four 550cc Honda 4 Trax ATVs earlier this year for $6,500 each with a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The ATVs are equipped with lights, sirens and off-road tires, and can travel up to 20 mph. Police plan to use the ATVs this summer to patrol the San Lorenzo River levee, Cowell Beach and Main Beach. Many city residents have noticed them for the first time in recent weeks, as the weather has heated up and crowds haved flocked to the waterfront. Gaby Castillo, 12, of Santa Cruz, gave the ATVs her approval as she walked by them Friday. "When [police] want to get someone, they can go faster," Castillo observed. Image aside, Clark said, officers hope to set a tone on the beaches and levees this summer -- that acting out will not be tolerated. So far, he said, it seems to be working; gang activity hasn't escalated on the beach, and more parents and kids are walking the river levee. While his department does not have numbers showing increased arrests on the levee, Clark said, anecdotally, police officers are busting more drug deals and alcohol-related crimes than before because officers on ATVs can sneak up on criminals. As a result, "it's safe for you and your family. It's not a place for gangs or drunks," Clark said. Mayor Ryan Coonerty, who lives a half-block from the river, said he regularly walks the levee trail and has noticed more company on the path this year. He credits law enforcement. "I've seen a huge, huge difference," Coonerty said. "You see more people using it, more families, people using it to go to and from work, and I think that's because they feel more safe." That enforcement should continue, Clark said, as so far he has had no problem convincing officers to pick up extra shifts on the four-runners. New recruits cite them as a reason they have joined the force, he said. "I try to get on at least once a week, because it's a lot more fun," community service officer King Wayman said. The biggest challenge in riding the ATVs, Clark said, are sand pits dug by kids on Main Beach. "You don't want to spill it in front of tourists," he said. Copyright 2008 The San Jose Mercury News
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