I welcome the introduction of the new police bicycle unit on the Brian Lara Promenade in Port of Spain.

Of course, as in any situation when something new is introduced, there will be teething problems, mistakes will be made, important things will be overlooked and so on but these can all be sorted out later (hopefully sooner rather than later). The vital thing is to get going with the bicycle patrols; their very presence will create a strong impression in the minds of the public who criss-cross down- town Port of Spain every day and encourage a sense of safety and security.

The bicycle cops can move faster than a police officer on foot and they can go into side streets and even the ground floors of buildings where a police car or SUV cannot. I hope they will not be just confined to the Lara Promenade but their jurisdiction will stretch from the Water Taxi Complex, Hyatt and Crown Plaza hotels in the west of the capital to South Quay and City Gate and Riverside Plaza in the east and Woodford Square and City Hall in the north.

I am also concerned that the PNM elements in the Police Service will try to sabotage this unit and soon we will be hearing about the bikes giving mechanical problems, no spare parts, bikes being stolen because of no GPS and anti-theft systems, the officers are not well equipped etc. This is something the new Minister of National Security should monitor.

I for one will be praying for the success of the bike cops as well as their safety and I hope soon the service will be extended to San Fernando.

Zarine Maharaj

San Fernando