Middletown police are revving up to start a motorcycle traffic unit.
On Monday evening, the board of supervisors approved that the department could seek bids for four 2017 American-made Harley Davidson Road, helmets and a 28-foot trailer to transport the motorcycles. The cost to the township would be just under $95,000.
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Chief Joseph Bartorilla said the motorcycles will assist his department in handling traffic in the township with second-highest traffic volume in the county. He also said the motorcycle unit would give the department an added sense of professionalism.
The motorcycles would help police make their way to calls throughout the congested area roadways. Bartorilla pointed out an advantage of the motorcycles is that they can be high-profile when needed and discreet at the appropriate times. In addition, the motorcycles assigned to traffic details would free up patrol cars to handle emergency calls.
So far, seven officers in the department have passed motorcycle training from the Philadelphia Police Department. He said Sgt. Pete Feeney has been tasked with leading the motorcycle unit for the township.
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Middletown will join Bensalem, Lower Makefield, Newtown Township and Warrington as departments in Bucks County with motorcycle units. Bensalem has the largest motorcycle unit in the county with six units used in the township, officials said.
Bartorilla said his department has worked with Bensalem police Lt. Bob Bugsch to work on guidelines and regulations for the motorcycle unit.
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In the past, Middletown has owned a single motorcycle for patrol use. Bartorilla said the previous attempt to provide a motorcycle patrol just “didn’t work out.”
During the meeting, Bartorilla said Brian’s Harley-Davidson on South Flowers Mill Road has offered to donate the $8,000 trailer. The chief added that he has hopes Brian’s would submit the lowest bid.
