PR-IBEW-2015 - Bethlehem Police

PRESS RELEASE
I.B.E.W. DONATION TO BETHLEHEM POLICE
In January of 2015, Mr. Paul Anthony from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers A.F.L –
C.I.O. met with me. This was one of several conversations we had about the I.B.E.W. assisting and partnering
with the Bethlehem Police Department in the way of purchasing some Police Bikes or needed Police Bicycle
related equipment.
This donation today, this check today for $4500.00, is an example of I.B.E.W. commitment to the
communities they work in and in making these communities better and safer place to work, shop, have fun and
raise a family. It shows a deep concern towards the City of Bethlehem , its police officers, and its citizens.
A Little history…..I like to always try to place a little history into things. Why – I don’t want to forget
the past and the people who came before us and what people did years ago to make things better for us today.
A Little History of the I.B.E.W.:
The I.B.E.W. was founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1891 by ten electrical workers that met to improve
safety in the electrical business.. At that time, the Union was known as the “Electrical Wiremen and Linemen
Union.” Today, the I.B.E.W. represents 750,000 members strong in the electrical industry in the United States,
Canada, Panama, and the Caribbean. They represent electrical workers in Construction, Manufacturing,
Railroads, Government, Telecommunications, Utilities and more. They are our neighbors, the people we meet at
church, our Little League coaches, Volunteer Firefighters and more.
The I.B.E.W. has assisted and made donations cross the country towards Homeless Shelters, repaired
and built pavilions in Parks, replaced sections of bridges on nature trails, assisted other public safety agencies,
purchased tools and electrical supplies for Vo-Tech Schools and many other projects. They represent their
members and are also involved in bettering their Communities.
Our I.B.E.W. Local Union 375 was founded in 1914. They represent approx. 1100 members. Local
Union #375 is active in providing community service to various community organization, Veteran groups,
Public Safety Agencies, and other service organizations. In March of this year, they provided the City of
Allentown Police Department with three Police Bikes for their Bike Unit.
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A Little History of the Bethlehem Police Bike Officer:
The Bethlehem Police Department has (56) I.P.M.A. Bike Certified Police Officers. We also have (16)
operational ‘Volcanic” Police Bikes. These Officers and Bikes are used by Specialized Units within the Police
Department along with our Patrol Division when possible.
Our Bike unit was formed around 1992. Back then, Bikes were utilized by Community Police Officers
in subs-stations to get around their patrol areas. We did not have Bike uniforms. Some Officers wore rubber
bands around their pants legs to keep them out of the bike chains.
Attorney Jason Schiffer was one of the early Bike Officers. Jason, who retired as Chief of Police, I
consider, is the “father” of our modern Police Bike Unit. He updated the Unit’s equipment, Bikes, training,
connected with businesses and community members, and made the Unit one of the best in the country. The Unit
under him won national and international championships under the International Police Mountain Bike
Association. Jason is an expert rider and certified instructor and still supports the Bike Unit that he was
instrumental in forming and maintaining.
The Unit modernized with better Bikes and equipment purchased by fundraisers in the various
communities, Community Policing funds, and mostly from private contributions from Community businesses
and organizations in our City. With this assistance and partnership, our Bike Unit improved into what it is
today; (56) Certified Officers with (16) fully operational Police Bikes.
Specialized Units like our Bethlehem Housing Authority Police Unit, School Resource Officers, Street
Crime Unit; all utilize these Bikes during the course of their daily / weekly duties. We also utilize many Police
Bikes during the 50 plus Special Events throughout the City each year; the various 5 K Races, Mini-Marathons,
Runners World, Festivals, Sports events, and especially during Musikfest which brings over one million people
to our City over ten days.
To outfit a single Bike Officer with a pair of shorts and a short sleeve shirt for the
Spring - summer months, the cost is $120.48.
To outfit a single Bike Officer with a pair of long pants and long sleeve shirt for
Fall – winter months, the cost is $135.48.
Bike sneakers cost approx... $80 to $100 a pair.
The donation being presented to the Bethlehem Police Department by I.B.E.W. today will go towards
the outfitting of the Officers that utilize these Bikes. As you can expect, Police Bike uniforms used go thru a lot
of wear and tear. These funds will be used to update and maintain the equipment utilized by our Bike Certified
Officers.
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This is an excellent example of citizens and public safety officials partnering for the overall good of
their communities. This is what Community Policing is all about. Communication with one another, and
working with one another, to solve issues in our respected communities and jointly providing the best public
safety we can to the citizens we serve.
I would like to personally thank the I.B.E.W. Union and their members for their support and for their
generous donation towards public safety in the City of Bethlehem. I would like to thank the I.B.E.W. Leaders
here today, who represent the rank and file members (citizens, family members, blue collar workers) that are the
backbone of this country. Thank you for this presentation and your support to the Bethlehem Police
Department.
I would also like to thank Mr. Paul Anthony, Business Administrator, for his assistance in this venture
between I.B.E.W. and the Bethlehem Police. Without Paul and David Reichard, the Assistant Business
Administrator, and their support, and multiple conversations and direction, this presentation would not have
been possible. Paul…Thank you very much. David…Thank you very much.
Thank You.
Mark A. DiLuzio
Chief of Police
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