Mercedes-Benz Supports Community Policing

12 December 2000
Mercedes-Benz Supports Community Policing
Mercedes-Benz Donates 50 Mountain Bikes to the New York City Police Foundation
         To Launch A $2 Million Grassroots Law Enforcement Initiative

    NEW YORK, Dec. 12 The latest addition to the NYPD's Bike
Patrol Unit is a police-duty version of the technologically innovative
Mercedes-Benz All-Terrain Mountain Bike.
    Working with the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) in
Baltimore, MD, Mercedes-Benz USA has launched a mountain bike donation program
to support law enforcement agencies that use bicycles on the job.
    Keith May, Vice President Sales (East), Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, presented
fifty 24-speed police-duty mountain bikes valued at $100,000 to Bernard
B. Kerik, Police Commissioner of the City of New York at One Police Plaza.
    "The mountain bike has become the chosen mode of transportation by
community policing officers," said May. "Through the various MBUSA regional
offices throughout the country, we will be donating 1,000 Mercedes-Benz
Mountain bikes to law enforcement agencies.  We support community policing
which has proven to be one of the most effective methods of reducing crime in
both urban and suburban environments."
    Community policing traces its roots to neighborhood police officers who
walked a beat and knew, and were known by, local residents and merchants.  For
many police departments, bike officers are far more versatile and effective
than foot patrols in a variety of environments.
    The expansion of bike patrols and community policing activities is
designed to provide improved quality-of-life, safer streets, reduced crime,
increased real estate values and business growth.
    "In a city as popular and as busy as New York, bicycles have become an
essential policing tool.  Whether fighting crime, responding to community
needs or maintaining traffic control, New York City police officers have to be
able to get there quickly and safely.  Thanks to Mercedes-Benz and their
generous contribution to the Police Foundation, we'll be able to do just
that," said Commissioner Kerik.
    There are approximately 1,400 active bike patrol units in operation within
local, city, state and federal law enforcement agencies across the country,
according to the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA).
    "Bike officers can travel faster and farther than foot officers and they
are able to patrol areas unreachable by car.  They also have a stealth
advantage," said Maureen Becker, Executive Director, the International Police
Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA).
    The Mercedes-Benz All-Terrain Mountain Bike features a super-lightweight
Alcoa all-aluminum frame, hydraulic rear shock absorber, front and rear disc
brakes and Shimano Nexave drivetrain with 24-speed gearing.  Police Duty
models are fitted with a specific rear sub-frame with a welded rack pack plus
minor surface finish changes.
    Mercedes-Benz precision-engineered bicycles are hand-made in the USA by
AMP Research in Laguna Hills, CA.  These bikes are available in a number of
styles and price ranges (starting at $1,795) from authorized Mercedes-Benz
retailers, online at http://www.MBUSA.com or by calling 800-FOR-MERCEDES.