The county police department has begun bicycle patrols in Hilo, with plans to expand the program to Kona and Puna.

"Since the bike patrols began, police have already seen positive results in the areas of liquor enforcement, drug enforcement and community satisfaction," said Lt. Jason Cortez, who supervises the Community Policing Section.

"Feedback from the community has been great. The officers were actually cheered when they rode through downtown Hilo."

Ten officers received special bicycle training: four each in Hilo and Puna and two in Kona. The department plans to train additional officers in Kona, and bike patrols in downtown Pahoa are expected to start soon, Cortez said.