Exclusive: Escambia Sheriff’s Bike Patrol Hits The Streets Of Century

February 26, 2009

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The November night David Morgan found out he was elected as Escambia County’s new sheriff, he put Century criminals on notice. Wednesday night, they noticed something they did not expect…three uniformed officers riding Century’s neighborhoods on bicycles.

Down Salter’s Lake Road and along the railroad tracks to Jefferson Avenue and the community center, NorthEscambia.com was there as the Sheriff’s Department bike patrol hit the streets of Century.

“Who’s that? The police?” a young man playing basketball with a group of friends at the community center said after the deputies circled the basketball court. “Man, it’s the cops. They on a bicycle. You ain’t going to hear them coming,” another young man said to his friends.

On an ordinary night, Deputy Scott Rivkin patrols the Century district in a cruiser. But Wednesday night he led the way for the bike patrol and deputies James Navton and Ted Roy. Roy serves as Morgan’s public information officer.

“It’s one promise that the sheriff made…to have more deputies on the streets,” Roy said. “People notice the police presence when you are on a bicycle.”

While the thought of a few deputies on bicycles might not seem like such an impressive crime fighting tool, it’s really very effective according to Roy.

“We are going to get them. When you are on a bike, you can get close to people on the streets before they even know that you are there. You can hear things like glass breaking. You can smell things. It’s a lot different than being in a car.”

The bike patrol was formed five years ago. In their first year, they were responsible for 525 arrests. That number jumped to 1,000 arrests last year.

“Century is on the scope,” Morgan told NorthEscambia.com. “Century has a whole host of problems. But we have a pretty good plan.”

The biggest problem plaguing Century, Morgan said, is prescription drug abuse. But Morgan’s plan will take most of those drugs off the street. As for when it will happen, the sheriff would not say. It’s all part of his plan.

We do know the bike patrol will return to Century’s streets. “We’ll be back,” Roy said.

From Jefferson Avenue, the bike patrol headed toward Ramar Street.

“What are they doing?” one of the boys on the basketball court asked our reporter. “Man, they are going to get somebody. Who are they looking for?”

“I bet they get…” another basketball player said, mentioning a name. “I told him they were going to get him.”

A noticeable police presence in Century. That’s what Morgan said was part one of his plan for Century. Wednesday night, that plan began to fall into place as people took notice.

“I hope they clean up this place,” a nearby adult said. “Write that down. Tell that sheriff we want him to clean up this place.”

Pictured above: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department bike patrol hit the streets of Century Wednesday evening. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

15 Responses to “Exclusive: Escambia Sheriff’s Bike Patrol Hits The Streets Of Century”

  1. A.W. THOMPSON on March 1st, 2009 8:42 am

    i wonder how many of those guys would volunteer today.35 degrees and wind at 40 mph.thee shorts would be backed with long johns.a coffee pot and a survival suit .. i can see it now.Ipull over long hair. what? i said pull over long hair.what?.great idea ive snuck up on game all the time on a bike. as long as the chain dont give you away.very creative i like that green power energy thing going on.it is feet to the street poiicing you are hearing smelling seeing things you dont get riding in a car with a bunch of noise going on all the time.peace out from the outskirts of little chicago..A.W. THOMPSON MOSQUITO FLATS FLORIDA

  2. ab on February 27th, 2009 4:36 pm

    Someone’s always playing the race card!

  3. D. on February 27th, 2009 2:49 pm

    They look funny on bikes.

  4. Chuck on February 27th, 2009 12:56 pm

    resident #1…..Rodney has never been harassed by anyone. Have you seen the size of him?

  5. Taxpayer #2 on February 27th, 2009 9:58 am

    To Mr. Burkett, there’s a reason I made the statements that I made. Crime IS in every community, but you don’t see the sheriff deputies riding their bikes and four wheelers in all the communities, only where the blacks live, and until I see differently, I will keep my opinion. Like I said, I live in Century, and the majority of those that I see who come into this community to purchase drugs are white and of all ages(and I will stand by this statement anyday). But the way the sheriff deputies act, you would think that only the blacks are invovled in drug activity, the last time I checked, buying and using drugs is a crime just like selling it is. You hardly ever see them (the buyers) getting pulled over or arrested because it’s probably somebody’s son, daughter, uncle, aunt, etc…. that the deputies know. They need to not only focus on the sellers, but the users too.
    I would love to see all the criminals off the street, because as long as the users are out there, there will always be a drug problem. So, like I said, be fair, even if it is somebody’s son, daughter etc…… that they know. And also, I would love to not have to mention color, but until all citizens are treated the same, what can I say!

  6. Resident #1 on February 27th, 2009 8:57 am

    Mr. Burkett, you are correct, “ALL” criminals should be punished. I agree. But, what about the ones that are abiding by the law, but are being harrassed by the police on a regular basis??? It is sad that it has to be a racial thing, but racism is still present. You are right, we should be looked at as a whole, but that is just not the way it is. I understand fully what taxpayer#2 is speaking on. I am going through it right now. It is sad that there are people out there you are doing right by the law, but are still being harrased. As I said in my writing, If they are going to be fair about it, then I am for it 100%. Oh yeah, and if you are not black, then of course you wouldn’t understand. I can tell that harrassment must not be present within your area or with anyone you know, because you don’t think that it exist. My point exactly… From what I hear, you are a criminal, (CRA) perhaps…So, instead of the police harrassing me (the innocent one), they should be questioning you. That is what I mean by, “THEY SHOULD BE FAIR ABOUT IT.”

  7. Rodney Burkett on February 26th, 2009 3:22 pm

    Oh and one other thing, will everyone please quit referring to color when talking about citizens of our community. I don’t give a rip about political correctness, but we are all living here together and we should refer to each other as we are, citizens. Whomever is causing or committing the illegal activity, then they should be arrested, end of story.

  8. Rodney Burkett on February 26th, 2009 3:17 pm

    Well looks like Walking Tall is going to be serious,its great news for all in the Century area. Taxpayer#2 I don’t know what dome you live in but it aint Century. I have lived all my life also, and I have seen it get worse and worse as the years go by. I will agree that the crime is spread to all communities in Century. The main reason Century”s population keeps getting lower is because of the crime issues, people move out of town to get away from the problem. Personally I think the criminals haven’t been harrassed enough, that is why illegal activity flourishes. Lets support the Sherriff and his deputies instead of threatning him online about mistreatment before they even have a chance to do anything. There are more productive law abiding citizens in Century than criminals, and they deserve the right to live without fear and anxiety that come from the few who refuse to be productive citizens. Sherriff David (Burford Pusser) Morgan clean them out, we want them gone.

  9. W.R. on February 26th, 2009 9:22 am

    Sheriff Morgan sounds like the kind of Sheriff Century has needed for a long time.
    Taxpayer # 2 you are correct that it is not just in the Black neighborhoods it all over. But the people of Century needs to open their eyes and as ‘Jay’ says get involved and take the town back. Century once again be a great place to live but it cannot happen when people are allowed to do drugs drink alcoholic beverges and drive up and down the streets as if it was the norm. I know this happens as I pick up their TRASH everyday. There are laws and they need to be enforced.

  10. Monica McLain on February 26th, 2009 9:06 am

    I think its a great idea. Keep it up the good work .Be careful and stay safe.

  11. S.L.B on February 26th, 2009 8:54 am

    Very impressive Mr.David Morgan and deputies!

    We need to start thinking smarter and being more creative than the criminals, in order to get a handle on Century’s crime.
    It’s also about time that we get our heads out of the hole in the ground, look all around us and finally do something about what’s going on right in our own neighborhoods.

    Thank you!

  12. Taxpayer #2 on February 26th, 2009 8:48 am

    I’m all for the law being enforced. I’ve lived in Century all my life and I have yet to see all the crime being committed that is “supposedly being committed”. I know that Century has it’s share of those involved in criminal activity, but it is nowhere near what the ECCSD makes it out to be.
    I just hope the deputies don’t start harrassing innocent residents as they have been known to do in the past. Every black person is not a criminal; nor do drugs. And one more thing, I hope this bike patrol is not just for the black neighborhoods, because there are just as much drug use and crimimal activity going on in other neighborhoods also. In other words, be fair in all of your efforts, because the ECCSD is already under investigation for possible civil rights violations.

  13. Kristi Hughes on February 26th, 2009 7:49 am

    I love it when elected officials walk it, talk it, and back it up!!! Way to go!

  14. Jay on February 26th, 2009 5:43 am

    The Sheriff can only do so much and his deputies will arrest those folks that are committing crimes. The real issue here is that the citizens of Century need to get involved and claim ownership for the town. That’s the only way Century is going to get cleaned up!

  15. BGA on February 26th, 2009 1:08 am

    Way to go guys …….keep it up ! I saw you three on bikes one night on Cottage St after dark i thought that was the neatiest thing i ever saw

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News