Downtown Bike Patrols
Bike patrols are a significant part of community-oriented policing, which is about building relationships with community members and being responsive to public safety needs.
Bellingham Police Department’s bike patrol unit provides coverage seven days a week during daytime hours, roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. They patrol the downtown core and into surrounding neighborhoods, spanning from F Street to Ellis Street and Ohio to Cornwall, and will include patrols of Waypoint Park and Maritime Heritage Park.
Immediate life or safety issues should always be directed to 911
Patrols of City-Owned Parking Facilities
Risk Solutions Unlimited (RSU), a local private security company, provides security patrols at City-owned parking facilities downtown. RSU staff act as a supportive resource for the downtown business community, residents and visitors by responding to behavioral needs and minor crimes, such a graffiti, littering, public inebriation and trespassing, and serving as a connection to downtown resources, including Bellingham Police.
They are clearly identified and unarmed.
They have a hands-off policy and focus on building relationships and providing services.
They are trained in de-escalation and customer service.
They support other downtown service providers, such as the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), Safety Ambassadors and downtown Clean Team.