MELBOURNE. Fla. — If you are in the Palm Bay area, you may spot officers on two wheels.

And this newly formed bike unit will be able to patrol in more specific ways.

The team leader is Corporal Nick Dennis, a veteran of the Palm Bay Police Department, who, along with fellow officer Sean Rollins, went through special safety training to ride their bikes through a program of the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA).

“We are partnering with local businesses to take a new approach at solving these issues for the community,” said Dennis.

And it’s much more efficient to make face-to-face contact with business owners and residents.

“Absolutely more personable. We have a lot of people out here in these parking lots on foot. This is a more welcoming approach to law enforcement,” Dennis said.

The team focused on the Malabar Road corridor due to complaints of an uptick in retail theft and the homeless.

The officers are making business owners aware they are mobile and there to help.

Cocina Café general manager Zoleyka Borrero just found out about the new patrols and felt a sense of relief they are out there.

“We feel comfortable knowing the police are around,” she said.

There are other advantages to police operating bike units, according to the IPMBA. It’s less expensive to be on bikes than inside fuel-burning patrol cars. It’s also easier to navigate, notice potential problems and ride more undetected.

Officers wearing shorts rather than a more dressed-down uniform can also be seen as more approachable and less threatening.

“We get to engage in the community and allow them to see us in a different way than they are used to seeing. It’s less intimidating, and provides a service we aren’t used to providing,” Dennis said.

The new bike unit will also help patrol parades, festivals and other large gatherings in the city.