Community Corner

Futuristic Motorcycle Transforms Cheshire Police Department Fleet

A three-wheeled Spyder Can-Am motorcycle is on loan for a year to CPD.

The silver and black three-wheeled motorcycle looks like it belongs among the vehicles in Batman's cave. Futuristic and sleek, the Can-Am Spyder roadster is the newest crime fighting component for the

It's best crime fighting feature, however, will be the attention it receives from the public. Its unusual look will attract residents who may feel more comfortable talking to a police officer about a motorcycle than a crime, said Lt. Brian Pichnarcik, traffic division commander. Once the conversation begins, Pichnarcik said, residents may then mention concerns about their neighborhood.

The roadster was unveiled Tuesday at police headquarters where company representatives said they hope the Spyder will be a new choice for other police departments in the region. 

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Cheshire is one of the first police departments in New England to try out the roadster, Pichnarcik said. "There are just a handful in the nation," he added. 

The roadster is made by Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. of Quebec, Canada and is on a one-year loan to the department by Land N' Sea Marine in Waterbury.

Find out what's happening in Cheshirewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police spokesman Lt. James Fasano said in an earlier interview that the new motorcycle can carry an abundance of equipment and has good maneuverability. The Spyder doubles the number of motorcycles in the department's fleet which also has one Harley-Davidson. The use of the roadster is at no cost to the town, Fasano said.

The department has three-person motorcycle squad: Officer Brian Schechter, Officer Tom Prue and Officer Matthew Wium. 

The Spyder won't be used for general patrols, Pichnarcik said, but as an escort vehicle. "We'll have it out there as much as possible," he said.

Editor's note: a video of the Spyder will be posted on Cheshire Patch later this afternoon.


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