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They come by car, by bike and by horse. And soon — once again — Bethlehem’s Center City and South Side business districts will be patrolled by police officers on foot. Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez plans to reinstate what he’s calling a downtown beat cop to patrol both of the city’s downtowns. Bethlehem previously had a downtown beat cop in the 1990s, officials said. Easton, which also has an on-and-off history of downtown beat cops, has had one in regular operation since 2007, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said. Officer Vince Bruneo works Tuesday through Saturday to be present during Saturday’s Easton Farmers Market but the city also has officers on foot at night when staffing allows, Panto said. “The main benefit is presence on the street, and the second benefit is he goes around and gives his cell phone to all the merchants so if they have a problem they can call directly to him,” Panto said. In Bethlehem, Center City merchants say they’re pretty well served by the Bethlehem Mounted Police but some South Side business owners said they’d love a greater police presence. The mounted and bicycle officers pass through the South Side business district at times but not often, Brian Tallarico, owner of Tallarico’s Chocolates on East Third Street said. Click hear to read the article.
They come by car, by bike and by horse. And soon — once again — Bethlehem’s Center City and South Side business districts will be patrolled by police officers on foot.
Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez plans to reinstate what he’s calling a downtown beat cop to patrol both of the city’s downtowns. Bethlehem previously had a downtown beat cop in the 1990s, officials said.
Easton, which also has an on-and-off history of downtown beat cops, has had one in regular operation since 2007, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said. Officer Vince Bruneo works Tuesday through Saturday to be present during Saturday’s Easton Farmers Market but the city also has officers on foot at night when staffing allows, Panto said.
“The main benefit is presence on the street, and the second benefit is he goes around and gives his cell phone to all the merchants so if they have a problem they can call directly to him,” Panto said.
In Bethlehem, Center City merchants say they’re pretty well served by the Bethlehem Mounted Police but some South Side business owners said they’d love a greater police presence.
The mounted and bicycle officers pass through the South Side business district at times but not often, Brian Tallarico, owner of Tallarico’s Chocolates on East Third Street said. Click hear to read the article.