Salem business community offers to fund police bike patrols for downtown

Salem’s downtown business community has committed $360,000 to put two bicycle-mounted police officers to work later this year, Mayor Julie Hoy disclosed Friday, Sept. 12.

The private fundraising was orchestrated by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Main Street Association. The organizations recruited individual donors and are not directly contributing.

Details on the new plan are expected to be presented to the Salem City Council during its special meetingon Wednesday, Sept.…