Florence, South Carolina – Chief Greene was among the first to roll through downtown Wednesday as the Florence Police Department brought its Bike Patrol Program back into action, marking a visible step toward closer contact between officers and the community.
The relaunch began at the downtown police substation, where city and business leaders gathered to support the effort. The Mayor, City Manager and members of the Florence Chamber joined the department for the start of the initiative, giving the program a strong community-centered beginning before officers headed out onto the streets.
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For the Florence Police Department, the goal is simple: be seen, be available and be easier for residents, workers and visitors to approach. By placing officers on bikes in the downtown area, the department hopes to strengthen its presence in a way that feels more direct and personal than patrol cars alone can provide.
Chief Greene and Sgt. Merchant made rounds through downtown during the inaugural ride, helping introduce the renewed program in the very area it is meant to serve. Their presence also signaled the department’s larger plan to expand the effort over time. As the program develops, additional officers will be trained to join the bike patrol team.
The department described the initiative as another move toward being “accessible, approachable, and available” for the community. That message sits at the heart of the Bike Patrol Program: officers are not only there to patrol, but also to speak with people, answer questions and build trust in everyday moments.
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Residents who see officers riding downtown are encouraged to wave them down, say hello and get to know them. The department said it looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships with the people it serves every day.
With Wednesday’s ride, the Florence Police Department placed a renewed focus on visibility, connection and neighborhood-level policing. As more officers are trained and the program grows, the bike patrol is expected to become a familiar part of downtown Florence’s public safety presence.
