Leaving treats for dogs isn't in Sage's job description, but it's typical of the courtesies he extends as a member of the James Street Improvement District's new bike patrol.
Emblazoned on the collar of Sage's red turtleneck and across the back of his red polo shirt is the word "Security." But crime prevention is not the be-all and end-all for the eight-member crew from the James Street organization, which is a nonprofit community-development agency.
The day-in, day-out street presence of the red-shirted bikers does give criminals one more reason to be wary.
And, yes, the patrol members, though they work for the James Street organization, are unarmed employees of Allied Security. Nevertheless, they aren't, in the conventional sense, watchmen.
When Sage pedals through town, he's observant and alert, but not gruff and suspicious. He has a friendly wave for everyone. And for the dogs on his beat, he has a treat.
School duty
"You're late," said 8-year-old Breeana Yera, chastising Sage, who parked his bike outside Ross Elementary School. Breeana was part of a stream of children who Sage greeted as they walked to school.
Sage has light-blue eyes, a neat moustache and wavy, sand-colored hair that brushes against his collar. He is lean and 6 feet tall, towering over the children. A few students asked for dog treats to take home while others admired his white 24-speed bike.
Robin Volker, a petite woman who is the crossing guard at North Queen and Ross streets, alerted Sage that a driver reported seeing some kids "beating the crap out of each other."
Sage jumped on his bike and sped a block south. Two boys in light-blue pullover shirts had settled their dispute by the time he arrived. No one appeared to be hurt or upset.
"Ninety-nine point nine percent of the kids are little angels, just good kids," Sage said of the children he has met outside Ross since school opened. "This was the first fight since I've been here."
Sage returned to the corner, where a father walking his children to school informed him that a man down the block had just found his stolen pickup truck and wanted the police. Sage talked to the truck owner and radioed Lancaster General Hospital, the communications hub for the bike patrol. A city police car responded promptly.
Mobile listener
Sage lives on 12 wooded acres in Martic Township with his wife, two dogs, two horses and three chickens. He enjoys whitewater kayaking and splitting firewood. It's a new experience to bike through the city, but Sage loves, as he puts it, "getting paid to exercise."
Sage rode into the first block of West New Street. Bonnie Long, 66, popped out of her row house and offered a cup of coffee. Sage sipped it and chatted by the porch with Long and her neighbor.
Sage then checked on a great-grandmother who lives alone on North Lime Street. "He's the only friend I got around here, I guess," the octogenarian said.
On West Frederick Street, an 81-year-old widow happily opened her door when Sage knocked. "Yesterday, I had a bad day," she said, explaining that her daughter was in the hospital. "I wish I had seen you."
In the 700 block of North Queen Street, a long-time resident named Bill was on his porch. He joked to Sage that when he saw a guy in red and black walking along the sidewalk, "I thought they finally listened to me and took your bicycle away."
Sage has worked in campground maintenance, proofreading and soil-and-materials testing at construction sites. He says he's never known a more rewarding job than the bike patrol.
When he reports problems, such as unmowed grass or abandoned cars, the city responds. He gets to lend a helping hand, opening a garage for an elderly woman, helping a man in a wheelchair get out of his house. And he gets to hear people's stories and tell his own.
Sage spends his day talking, joshed Mattie Watson-Davidson when Sage came to the 100 block of East Ross Street.
"But that's my job," said Sage, smiling. "You can't get me in trouble saying that."
E-mail is welcome at: jhawkes@lnpnews.com
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