SCOTCH PLAINS, (New Jersey), July 13: Police are doing more patrolling on bikes here, while elsewhere across America small towns are taking unusual measures to rein in rising energy costs.

One Connecticut town plans to put century-old dams back to work generating electricity, while other communities are telling workers to turn off their vehicles when stopped, instead of letting them idle.

Gasoline and heating oil prices have soared, electricity has grown more expensive and health-care costs keep rising, prompting municipalities to do what they can to cut costs.

Despite the summer heat, police in Scotch Plains see benefits from working on bicycles.

“Bicycle patrol has been effective for certain types of policing but our officers are doing them even a little more because of the energy problems that exist in our world today,” said Tom Atkins, manager of the township of about 23,000 residents located some 32km west of Newark.

While riding a bike on a hot summer day may not sound as pleasant as riding in an air-conditioned car, some officers have volunteered for the assignment, Atkins said.

Residents also like the idea. “I’m thrilled to have a walking or riding police officer. It fosters a sense of community and security while saving on energy costs,” said Lynn Caporoso, who owns an antiques store in Scotch Plains.

A survey released in June found that 90 per cent of the 132 mayors surveyed said climbing fuel prices have had a significant impact on city budgets and operations.

In New Hampshire, the small city of Franklin floated the idea of turning off nearly half of its 513 street lamps to stem rising costs.—Reuters