The holiday shopping season brings out the good in a lot of people, but criminals often see it as an opportunity for fast cash with purse snatching, breaking into vehicles, shoplifting in crowded stores and other heinous acts.
Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden wants criminals to know committing these crimes in East County may result in them spending Christmas in the county jail. Members of the Pct. 4 Constable’s Office are going that extra mile to protect merchants and shoppers and they have added bicycle patrols to the busiest areas.
The effort began last week in Porter, on a night when temperatures dipped into the thirties. On what was one of the coldest, if not the very coldest night of the year, Constable Hayden and Chief Deputy Barry Welch were part of the bike patrol. They arrested two shoplifters at Walmart that first night, and wrote multiple citations for drivers illegally parked in handicapped spots.
Despite the miserable cold, Constable Hayden said he enjoyed himself.
“It’s not like I get to do it every day,” Hayden said. “I’m glad to get out from time to time and work side by side with the deputies.”
“Most of my time is spent on administrative duties, but I think it’s important for them to know I’m not asking them to do anything I’m not willing to do myself.”
The Constable said he also enjoys the opportunity to visit with lots of his constituents while he is out on patrol and said it has been a very positive experience.
“People have been very encouraging and thanked us for what we’re doing,” Hayden said. “The only ones unhappy to see us are the criminals, but we’re used to that.”
The bicycle patrols are covering not only store parking lots, but also restaurants and churches.
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