New Castle police add new motorcycle

The department leased the motorcycle for $1.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The latest addition to the New Castle Police vehicle fleet -- a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle -- was expected to lead off this morning's Veterans Day parade in the city.
Officer James Paglia recently completed a two-week motorcycle course in Washington, D.C., with the United States Park Police and has been getting the motorcycle ready for the road.
Police Chief Tom Sansone said the bike was an offer they couldn't pass up.
"It's just another way to get an officer on the street, and it cost us very little," Sansone said.
The motorcycle is being leased to the city for $1 per year by New Castle Harley Davidson/Buell on U.S. Route 422.
"It's good for business and it's good for the police department," said Bill Bomberger, owner of New Castle Harley Davidson/Buell of the deal.
Wanted to help police
Bomberger explained that he supplies motorcycles to other police departments, including the Pittsburgh police for agreements similar to automotive leases, but felt he wanted to do something for the local department.
New Castle did buy another Harley Davidson motorcycle from Bomberger about three years ago and it is often used in parades and other events.
Sansone said that bike is used only by one of the lieutenants. Sansone said that when he became chief earlier this year, he wanted to get more officers on it.
The chief said Paglia showed an interest in motorcycles and learned about the U.S. Park Service school. The two-week course cost the city $250.
Paglia said the cost basically covered the cost of using the Park Service motorcycles, which were taken off-road through a variety of exercises.
Sansone said Paglia then contacted the local Harley-Davidson dealership and was offered the $1 lease. The only direct cost the department incurred was in putting its logos and lights on the vehicle, he said.
The chief said he'd like to get more officers trained to ride motorcycles and expand their fleet.
Willing to supply more
Bomberger said he's more than happy to supply the department with more motorcycles at the same rate. Bomberger said he expects New Castle Police to return the motorcycle in six months to a year and he will give them another new bike for the $1 lease plan.
He said he will then sell the bike, minus the police striping and lights. Bomberger said he's willing to offer the same deal to other Lawrence County police departments.
Sansone said the bike will help police work.
"It's similar to when we send police out on bicycles. They can go places cars cannot; they can sneak up on people, and they can go off road," he said.
cioffi@vindy.com