Police should practice what they preach

Posted Tue June 30, 2009 8:54 pm, by Nate E. written to City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

To Whom It May Concern -
While driving upon South Westnedge Ave. Northbound near Whites Rd., there is a large billboard depicting two officers of your department on bicycles, along with two children on bicycles, all parties wearing helmets. Along with this is the message "Helmets are the new cool!"
Below the message, there are the logos of your department, Kohls, Bronson, and SafeKids Kalamazoo.

I think that it is an excellent idea that you have teamed with these local organizations to provide safety messages to area residents along with the recent helmet fitting and give out event.

The reason I am complaining is that this evening, Tuesday June 30, 2009, I witnessed an officer on bicycle patrolling the Kalamazoo Pedestrian mall near KVCC. The officer in question was not wearing a helmet, and was interacting with families with children.

I find it completely ironic that you preach a safety message that you do not personally practice. Additionally, it is shocking that you would send officers out on bicycle without this common piece of equipment generally regarded as essential to safety in the event of an accident.

I would like the Department of Public Safety to properly equip officers with safety equipment while patrolling on bicycles, especially since you have large images promoting such practices bearing your name and logo along with community sponsors.

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Re: Police should practice what they preach by Chadg Posted Thu July 2, 2009 @ 4:49 PM as someone who relies on a bicycle and/or public transit to get around, i think wearing a helmet should be up to the individual, the government has been encroaching on our personal freedoms too long, next thing you know, youll need a permit to open a can of paint. If i realize the risks of riding sans helmet and am willing to take that risk, its my own problem if i get hurt! same goes for seat belts in cars, your choice, your problem! Reply I totally agree by Nate! Thu July 2, 2009 @ 10:04 PM Seat belts in cars by Donno Fri July 3, 2009 @ 1:11 PM i dont bother unless the driver asks me to, or im riding with mom nt by Chadg Fri July 3, 2009 @ 6:59 PM It's your own problem if you get hurt until... by jeishere Thu July 9, 2009 @ 3:44 PM Re: Police should practice what they preach by RedheadwGlasses Posted Wed July 1, 2009 @ 11:26 PM I complained about the St. Paul police turning on their sirens/lights to zip through stop lights ... only to turn them off and resume normal speed on the city streets. THey don't feel like they should sit and wait at a light like the rest of us. Drives me nuts. Reply Annoying by Nate! Thu July 2, 2009 @ 9:53 AM Are you sure that's what they were doing? by emt_c Thu July 2, 2009 @ 5:37 PM There's also the possibility ... by ams1001 Thu July 2, 2009 @ 9:48 PM ABsolutely this is what they are doing by RedheadwGlasses Thu July 2, 2009 @ 11:25 PM In that case, by emt_c Fri July 3, 2009 @ 12:25 AM Not necessarily true..... by Jennifer S Fri July 3, 2009 @ 5:24 PM Re: Police should practice what they preach by PepperElf Wed July 1, 2009 @ 11:09 PM This is the police by Nate! Thu July 2, 2009 @ 9:51 AM Safety first by Donno Fri July 3, 2009 @ 1:16 PM daytime running lights also lower your insurance =) n/t by PepperElf Posted Fri July 3, 2009 @ 4:55 PM Reply Personally I think the whole helmet thing is bogus (for bikes) by Donno Posted Tue June 30, 2009 @ 11:56 PM I fell off my bike going down a really steep hill at a high rate of speed. Bent the forks on my bike like a pretzel, and I hit a fire hyrant as I tumbled away. I recovered fine. On a local paved rails to trails path, I recently saw a woman training her 7 year old to ride a bike. He would go 50 feet by himself, and then fall off the side onto the grass shoulder. He would get up, she would start him off on the pavement, and the same thing would happen. NO helmet, NO protective gear. Short sleeves and shorts. I congratulated her for not caving in to all this protective crap the government pushes on us. Now motorcycles, that is a different story. I live in PA where our esteemed government decided we can go out and split our heads open at 60 mph, without protection. And we actually pay these people's salaries. Reply Not only PA.. by Harleycat Wed July 1, 2009 @ 8:17 AM People can get hurt on bikes too! by Jo23 Wed July 1, 2009 @ 4:31 PM You are lucky by Nate! Thu July 2, 2009 @ 9:58 AM Helmet law.. by MayDay Thu July 2, 2009 @ 10:44 AM I disagree by Nicole F. Fri July 3, 2009 @ 12:28 AM