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Fundraising Helps Provide Philadelphia Police With New Motorcycles

Published  September 17, 2015 11:42am EDT
US
FOX 29 Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Christmas has come early for the Philadelphia Police Department as they were presented with eight brand new, 2015 Harley Davidson police road king motorcycles Wednesday.

The new bikes will make one of their first public appearances with the Highway Patrol Unit escorts Pope Francis throughout the city of Philadelphia during his visit.

The Philadelphia Police foundation helped raise the funds for the new motorcycles. The foundation was set up back in 1999 to help fundraise for equipment and training that could not fit within the department's current budget.

The motorcycle upgrade is the first in 24 years. Lt. Bill Lynch says the motorcycles that were previously in use were 1991 models.

In the past two years alone the foundation has distributed more than $600,000 for equipment, programs and training not included within the budget.

The new motorcycles will also be put to use during the 2016 Democratic National Convention.