DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — On the heels of its park, walk and talk initiative, Daytona Beach Police officers have taken to the streets again in an effort to help them connect with the community. 

Instead of four wheels, they’re now using two. The department launched its Two Wheel Tuesdays initiative during May. Officers Daniel Moffat and Robert Mowery, who shifted gears from their usual patrols around Daytona Beach, said they are already seeing benefits. 

What You Need To Know

  • Two Wheel Tuesdays puts Daytona Beach police on streets

  • Officers ride their bikes and stop to interact with people

  • Community members and officers say they interact more now

  • Areas of city, participating officers shift to expand coverage

“We are a little bit more active and engaged in the community,” Mowery said. “We can talk to them face to face. It is more of a presence thing, to show them we are able to communicate and just be present.” 

“Like right now we are having a face-to-face conversation, where if there was a window and a car door in between, (it) wouldn’t necessarily be happening,” Moffat said. “When you are just driving, you are usually just going from call to call.”

As they cruise down Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, their goal was to be more accessible to the people who live and work there. 

When they eventually decided to take a break and check in at Moe’s Market, it was a welcome surprise for Shatoya Smith, who said she’s never seen them stop by while she’s been working behind the counter

“They can communicate with us more and ask us questions and know what is going on,” Smith said. “I think that is best, get to know the community.” 

While the Two Wheel Tuesday shifts are rotated between officers as they attempt to cover the whole city, it’s always a welcome change of pace for Mowery. 

“Whenever you have a positive interaction for the community, it makes you want to continue to do the job,” he said. 

After they left Moe’s, the officers traveled just down the road to visit Midtown Market, where owner Jakir Hossin was also very appreciative to see them. 

Hossin said he already has noticed a big difference in the community since the initiative began. 

“We are happy now because it is not like it was back in the day,” he said. 

That makes all the miles mean even more to the officers.

“It makes it feel like all this is worth it,” Mowery said. “It is more than just work for us. We enjoy getting out into the community and helping people.”

The Daytona Beach Police Department indicated it has plans to expand the initiative to more days and communities around the city.