Harley hogs cops' attention

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A shiny new set of wheels has proved to be a good public relations tool this month for the New Ulm Police Department.

A new 2000 Harley Davidson Road King police package motorcycle arrived in New Ulm on June 7. It will stay here until June 30. The bike is on loan from Apols and Harley Davidson dealership of Raymond, according to New Ulm Police Chief Howard Zins.

The bike is here on a free lease, nd the only requirement for the NUPD is that its must pay for the insurance and the gasoline used by the motorcycle, which is valued at more than $17,000.

"It's been a great public relations tool," said Zins, "We've had lots of people come to the officers and say, 'It's been neat to have a motorcycle here.' It helps to close the generation gap, too."

The first night the NUPD used the Harley, it helped officers arrest eight individuals for underage consumption. These individuals stated later that they did not think it was the police because the officer approached them on the motorcycle, according to Zins.

NUPD officers previously rode a motorcycle during the early 1940s. That cycle was used for approximately a decade, Zins said.

Not only is the 2000 Harley Davidson an excellent public relations tool, but it also gets better gas mileage than the squad cars, Zins said.

The motorcycle is being used for traffic patrolling and for funeral escorts.

Eight NUPD law enforcement officers are licensed to drive the motorcycle, according to NUPD Patrolman Andy Leif.

"The cops are like children at Christmas. It's just perfect nostalgia," said Leif, "It's a lot more covert -- people aren't expecting a motorcycle."

Leif said the Harley Davidson motorcycle is quite heavy.

"I bet it weighs 1,200 pounds," said Leif, "But it rides beautiful."

The motorcycle has a siren, horn, and emergency lights. It tops out at 120 miles per hour according to the speedometer.

"It's a tremendous PR tool," said Leif, "People are inquisitive as far as the motorcycle is concerned. I have youngsters coming up to me saying 'Can I wear your helmet?'"

Zins said the New Ulm Police Department is considering getting a motorcycle on loan in the same kind of arrangement for next summer.

"The best thing is being out cruising on it. It's fun," said Leif, "It's a unique opportunity for a lot of us here. So far we haven't had any fights about who gets to drive it."