The Franklin Police Department received a state grant this month for the purchase of two patrol bikes and continued funding for a program to discourage underage drinking.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Enforcement Grant included $1,500 for the new bikes and will pay for 100 hours of overtime per year for two years for the department to bring awareness to and help prevent underage drinking.
Police Chief Kevin Anundson said the department is currently looking to add three officers to its force, which would allow it to conduct regular bike patrols more often.
“It makes us more approachable and gives us something to talk about with people when we’re out,” Anundson said.
The bikes were purchased from Clarion Bicycle and include front and back lights and rack bags for carrying first-aid kits and other supplies.
The police department also donated 16 bikes to the Venango County Humane Society Thrift Store earlier this month.
The bikes had been unclaimed from the department’s found inventory and were in various conditions, Anundson said. Bikes in poor condition will be scrapped for money.
“(The store) likes it when we take those bikes down because that’s a good chunk of money for them,” Anundson said. “We hate to throw away bikes.”
The department also has a service for individuals to register their bikes, allowing for easy return of bicycles that have been lost. The service is free, and people may register their bikes by taking them to the police station.
