New Haven police are boosting their biking beats, with 10 more officers certified and 9 in training. This move is part of the department’s efforts to become more proactive and build trust with the community.

Biking Beats

City police Officer Daniel Declet demonstrated his biking skills, which he picked up from his downtown biking beat. Declet is one of the department’s best bikers, and he was certified in late 2024.

The New Haven Police Department restarted bicycle certification classes last Monday to prepare more officers for biking beats. The 40-hour training class was the first the department has held since then.

Community Impact

Alberto Busto and Musa Ugurlu from the Grand Avenue Special Services District praised the department’s efforts, saying that more officers on biking beats will help build trust with the community. Ugurlu, who owns two businesses on Grand Avenue, said that when there are more officers around, stopping by restaurants and getting to know neighbors, people begin to trust the police more.

The department has gained 27 positions since last year, and with the new police contract, they are able to budget for discretionary walking and biking beats. There have been zero homicides in the city so far this year, and eight nonfatal shootings.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.