Milwaukee police kick off "Operation School's Out"

MILWAUKEE -- With the school year coming to an end Tuesday, June 12th, students in Milwaukee Public Schools are ready to enjoy the summer safely. They'll have some help from the Milwaukee Police Department and "Operation School's Out."

On Monday, June 11th, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn joined MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton in front of Washington High School. There, the chief called the roll for dozens of bicycle officers.

"I think you know how important you are to our crime patrol and fear-reduction efforts. We've been told, time after time, by some of our debriefed arrestees, that -- of all the forms of Milwaukee police patrol they hate, they hate the bicycles the most!" Chief Flynn said.

Chief Flynn says about 100 bicycle officers will be rolling through the city streets in an effort to keep students safe while they're not in school.

"This summer, of course, as in every other summer, there'll be that many more young people out on the streets early in the day, and late at night," Thornton said.

While they may not plan to cause problems, idle time can be trouble for some teens. Dr. Thornton says he welcomes the help from Milwaukee police.

"I want them to see that there's a collaborative effort on the part of the Milwaukee Public Schools, the Milwaukee Police Department and the rest of the community to keep them safe, and to work through a safe summer, so I can start teaching them again, in September," Thornton said.

Chief Flynn says no part of the police department has done more to improve relationships between officers and the public than the bicycle patrols.

Several of the bicycle officers have had their bikes outfitted with new lights to improve visibility.

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