Photo: Nikada / E+ / Getty Images
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office in Hudson has introduced a new Bicycle Education Enforcement (B.E.E.) Unit to enhance safety on local rail trails and foster community engagement. The unit's officers, easily recognizable in yellow and black uniforms, have completed comprehensive training through the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services. This training included obstacle traversal, tactical response scenarios, and safe riding techniques.
The B.E.E. Unit will focus on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, marking the first time law enforcement has been actively assigned to these paths. Sheriff Donald Krapf emphasized the unit's role in promoting community-based policing and increasing visibility in areas previously lacking regular patrols. "Our B.E.E. Unit reflects our commitment to proactive, community-based policing," Sheriff Krapf stated.
Additionally, the unit will build on the sheriff's office's Youth Bicycle Safety Program by offering bicycle safety courses and hosting interactive bike rodeo events for children. The program will utilize bicycles donated by the Greenport Walmart to support these educational initiatives.