While area residents may start shedding their winter wardrobe as the weather warms up, area police officers have started to shed their squad cars.

The DeKalb Police Department bike patrol hit the streets for the third year when the new bicycling season opened April 1. So far, six members of the DeKalb force have gone through proper training to become bicycle patrol officers.

The training, which most have taken through the Rockford Police Department, teaches officers to do such things as going up and down steps or how to fall off bikes without getting hurt, as well as the importance of a proper diet to maintain energy.

The department has four bikes, all of which were from the local Schwinn shop that also repairs and maintains the conditions of the bikes. The bikes are equipped to handle everything a squad car can except for transporting passengers. That is one of only a few disadvantages for these officers, Officer Angel Reyes said, adding that mosquitoes are another.

“We go through a lot of Off,” Reyes said.

Advantages have far outweighed the annoyance of the pesky little insects for Reyes and his fellow officers. Since officers constantly are rolling through parks and neighborhoods, they seem more approachable and familiar to area residents, more so than an officer in a squad car. And this makes it easier for citizens to communicate with officers, especially when there are problems in the neighborhood, officers said..

While community members may become more familiar with the officers on bikes, the officers often are not recognized as police by potential troublemakers. This gives the police the advantage of riding up unnoticed on burglaries, drug deals and other crimes while they still are in progress.

Besides being able to catch criminals in the act, officers benefit personally from putting their feet on the pedals of a bike instead of the pedals of a car.

Reyes said that spending hours on a bicycle helps keep the officers in shape so they take off less for illnesses. Plus, Reyes added, you don’t get injured as easily after falling off the bike so much.

“I just wish it was nice year-round,” Reyes said.

Reyes said that, overall, the bike patrol program has been well received in the community.

“They like seeing the officers out there,” Reyes said.