Westfield police to trade surplus vehicles, step up e-bike enforcement and community education

The Westfield Board of Public Works and Safety on June 24 approved the Westfield Police Department's request to dispose of and trade in surplus vehicles to offset the cost of newly acquired patrol vehicles.

Police staff said the new vehicles were purchased through Kelly Chevrolet and that the city can trade a maximum of two vehicles as part of the lease/purchase arrangement; the department will also seek competitive fleet bids from Dan Young's fleet division in Fishers to maximize offset value. The motion to approve the disposition list was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

Assistant Chief Eric Grimes reported department activity for May: 4,365 total events, 2,144 dispatch calls and 2,144 proactive patrol entries; 460 foot patrols and 896 traffic stops were noted. He described stepped-up enforcement on trails for illegal e-bikes and golf carts: in May the department issued 18 e-bike tickets and 3 warnings, 4 golf-cart tickets and 3 warnings, and towed 10 e-bikes. Grimes said enforcement draws from state statutes that classify pedalless electric bikes as off-road vehicles when they lack pedals.

"We're really doing everything we can to equip our patrol officers in every capacity," Grimes said, noting the department produced pamphlets and QR-code cards linked to an online guide (which has had "5,000-6,000 clicks," he said) and scheduled community forums July 1 and 15 at Westlake High School to answer questions.

Grimes also reported staffing: five officers are at the academy (midpoint) with an expected graduation in late July, and two officers are currently in field training, which he said will result in seven new officers on the road by year-end.