seabee, even though i agree motorcycles might be good, but not in the winter months,i read your little comment, that was funny, an i agree with you

Maybe they should start an introductory program,like with cop-mopeds, even better on gas and as a bonus, nobody will be speeding because they will be too busy pointing and laughing.

oh my gosh,bjordan did you stomp your feet when you were done writing your comment,lol. i also think it is a good idea for motorcycles, i just think they might be a little dangerous during our winter months,i also think bob spoden is doing a good job and has alot of great ideas.and as for some of the correctional officers, now mind you not all of them, the way they treat people when they come to visit, they have just what they deserve, nothing.

If the sheriff wants motorcycles, he should have them. He is the best judge of the need for them. I was merely commenting on some shortcomings that I was concerned about when I read the story. I am sorry if I upset anyone, but as far as I know the day is always going to end in y, even when daylight savings time takes effect. I never wanted to be in the boat (I saw what happened in The Godfather Part II).

I wonder if Spoden, or anyone else, has asked and answered the question;
How many other departments have initiated motorcycle units?
How many are still functioning?
.
It seems that many departments have taken advantage of HD's $1.00 lease program, and the startup is good p.r. and generates lots of press, but they don't seem to last very long.
.
Why?
.
I think they owe it to the citizens to answer those questions before proceeding.

Yikes!

Garyprimer..Once again the boat pulled out and you're still standing on the dock. A motorcycle patrol would have many advantages and provide another option. Most of the advantages would be in the area of traffic control,crowd control ,traffic accident investigation but would also provide a flexibility in out of the area locations such as bike/hiking paths. Financially this would be a win/win situation. The HarleyDavidison Wisconsin lease program provides the motorcycle for $1.00. Gary,before you comment that this would not provide a competitive bid just remember that many communities,including Janesville ,do business with companies that have a direct financial impact with local taxpayers,such as General motors. It also would be very difficult for another company to better this offer with a competitive bid.
As far as another poster's comment that the cycles couldn't be used year round because of the snow. Remember that this is a record year for snow and in the last 5yrs many motorcyclist were able to make limited use of their motorcycles 12 months of the year.
Gary,regarding your comment on the K-9 patrol,it implied so much uninformed bias that there just isn't enough time or space to reply.

I wonder how useful a motorcycle will be when it seems we have 10 months of snowfall here?

What the sheriff's dept. often lacks is any type of 'plan', or, heaven forbin, any type of analysis that might provide data so support such a decision. For example, what issues are NOT being addressed using squad cars, that motorcylces will advance? Once those are identified, then you can talk about how m.c.'s will help. And the costs (i.e. training, equipping the m.c., insurance, gas savings, etc.). THEN--perhaps the most important part--the way you plan to measure whether or not the m.c. is doing what you intend. Quite frankly, with what info seems to be available, it sounds like a nice show-and-tell, p.r.-type idea, but I really can't believe it would make any significant difference in the overall mission of the department--whatever that is....

I like the idea better now. Thanks for making your points and I am sorry if I ruined anyone's day, it was not my intention.

I think this is a great idea that Spoden has come up with.

garyprimer,

Harley Davidson is a big supporter of law enforcement and their lease/buy program for LE agencies make the cost of the bike significantly lower than what anyone else could get them for. Much like Trek when it comes to police bikes. The companies give a significant cost reduction for a number of reasons, one of which is that they feel its a free endorsement of their product.

Kudos to Sheriff Spoden for suggesting a new approach to law enforcement. If you keep doing what you always had done, you will get the same results. This idea will bring the Sheriff's department into the modern age for traffic enforcement.

I like the idea of trying this out.

Keep in the back of your mind though that whenever the deputy on the motorcycle pulls anyone over and gets a hit(outstanding warrant), another deputy will have to be tied up to do the transport to the jail. Considering the few amount of deputies there are on each shift now hopefully it doesn't become a problem. I’m thinking this may be something used mostly for parades, funeral escorts and such.

Bjordon,
While I agree that the Correctional Officers have gotten the short end of the stick a few times too many, this conversation is not about that. Alot of the money for this will most likely come from some sort of grant or lend/lease program and not take anything away from you. Now go get some sleep as I’m sure you are tired from all the 12 hour shifts you are mandated to volunteer for everyday.

And I don't know that you can save enough gas to pay for a Harley. That's a pretty weak argument.

Bad idea. Motorcycles are not practical for modern police work. They have severe limitations in equipment and passenger capacity. They have functional limitations in Wisconsin's climate. They do not afford enough protection to deputies. I know that many of you love motorcycles and that's fine with me, but I don't see this as a step toward modernization. As far as K-9 patrols, why not strap an Uzi over your shoulder and put on a steel helmet while you're at it?

Good move on Rock County! Lets move into the year 2008. Get away from the old fashion way of policing. When is Rock County going to work on getting some K-9's back out on the street? This is a large county with a large population and high traveled roads. Motorcycles makes sense. Hopefully they can also work on the disgruntled correctional officer in this blog.

I think they have an ego problem, They dont need a motorcycle, Just another toy.

Your kidding right? When you have to have a squad on the road that gets ½ the gas mileage that is a big deal. I bike can get around traffic much faster than any car could possibly think of. Many cites counties and state have motorcycle patrols. They can be easily hidden and can be used very easy in speed deterrent use. I think it is about time Rock County moved into the motorcycle police area

Does anybody remember What happened when barney phife got a motorcycle. This sounds a lot like mayberry ??? Has spoden always wanted a motorcycle and his wife woudn"t let him ???? Does rock county need one ??????

yes this is a joke i hope it is voted down

if it's really that bad, move.

lol...isn't this a joke. Can somebody tell me why we need motorcycles on the road, especially Harley's when the jail is a dump and the Correctional Officers are being treated poorly and being under paid. If they're not going to get the new jail at least not right now. Why don't they use that money to give the Correctional Officers a raise. After all, Rock County is the lowest paying county in Wisconsin far as Law Enforcement. It seems like the Deputies get this and get that. I never hear about anything the Correctional Officers got...because they never get anything. This county puts Correctional Officers on the back burner and give them hand me downs.

This county is a joke!