Worcester deputies roll on two wheels

The Worcester County Sheriff's Office has started its own motorcycle unit, purchasing three new Harley-Davidsons with seized drug money.

"Some of my men told me, a few months back, where there was a situation on the Bay Bridge, the only thing that could get through there was the State Police motorcycle," said Sheriff Reggie Mason. "I said, hey, we have a bad emergency on Route 90 or near the Route 50 bridge, they can go down the middle of the road or the shoulder to get there."

Mason also said his department is short a few patrol cars, and was looking for ways to save some mileage, and consume less gasoline.

They're calling it the Worcester County Sheriff's Office Motor Unit. it already has its first motorcycle, a used Harley-Davidson Electra Glide police model, purchased for $8,000 in July from the Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office. It comes with everything a patrol car would, including lights and sirens, a computer in the rear storage, and a printer for issuing tickets.

While the lone bike has been on the road for a few official duties so far, including escorting a parade of motorcycles on a Sept. 11 memorial ride on the Ocean City Boardwalk during Delmarva Bike Week, the unit won't officially launch until next month. Two more 2015 police models have been ordered for $22,600 each, and will be delivered soon.

Lt. Ed Schreier and two other deputies will comprise the first crew of riders, with more deputies to be trained in spring. About a dozen deputies have expressed interest in joining the unit, he said.

"The sheriff really wanted to see this program take off," Schreier said. "He saw the advantages of putting motors out. There's multifaceted things you can do with a motor. Getting into the neighborhoods. Being an ambassador for the sheriff's office. To be seen in the communities, so the community knows we're out here serving them. That's paramount. To be out there for the citizens."

Planning started about eight years ago, coming up with the proposal, general orders and policies for the unit, identifying proper equipment, and pricing. Mason finally gave the go-ahead in the last year to proceed with the unit, Schreier said.

"I tell you, though, I'm not riding them after dark," the sheriff said. "There's too many deer. I'm going to park them at night."

Schreier himself is an avid motorcycle rider for 30 years. Because of that passion for riding, it led him to become a specialist in motorcycle crash reconstruction.

"It's not a bad thing to go to work and ride a motorcycle," he said. "You can smell things. You can see things. You feel the air. Your senses are more awakened when you're out here, and not in that patrol car."

bshane@dmg.gannett.com

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