Cops on all-terrain vehicles will again be a regular sight on the beaches this summer.

After a one-year absence because of funding, the Vancouver Police Department received $34,687 from the Vancouver Police Foundation to acquire three vehicles, commonly known as ATVs.

Const. Jana McGuinness, a VPD media relations officer, said in an email message the funding "allows us to acquire some ATVs that we are going to test this summer to make sure they are the best choice we can make for public safety and the environment."

Police Chief Jim Chu talked about the ATV patrols in an interview with the Courier last month. Chu pointed out the advantages of the vehicles for officers when patrolling the beach.

"The beaches are large areas to cover and it's very difficult with bicycles, especially when you get in the sand and if you seize a bunch of cases of beer," the chief said. "We even tried horses down there but the horses can't be deployed for lengthy periods of time away from their stables. The all-terrain vehicles are the best way to go because you can cover large areas and carry seized property, get through the sand and keep the beaches safe."

In the past, officers on ATVs worked varying hours of the day, seven days a week in partnership with the park board. They covered an area from Acadia Beach, near the University of B.C., to Granville Island.

Officers poured out liquor, extinguished beach fires, checked known sexual offenders hanging around kids, investigated indecent acts and observed gang members drinking on the beach.

One of the VPD's goals in its 2008-2012 strategic plan is to have more visible policing in the city. Chu said that visibility is what people want more than anything when discussing policing needs.

"They want to see officers in their neighbourhoods, walking the beats, riding the bikes--people want to see VPD officers. So as much as we can, we want to help deliver more visible policing."

Chu wants to implement the department's so-called metro teams, which could see up to 35 officers working nights to respond to busy spots in the city.

"We're hoping there's a turnaround in the city finances to bring those officers on board," the chief said.

Even though crime is on a downward trend in the city and across the country, Chu said the VPD's need for more police has to be put into context. He pointed to violent crime, gangland violence and property crime.

"Our property crime rates are close to double what you see in other major cities like Toronto and Montreal. Violent crime, gang violence, you know all about that. The other thing is, with Canadian legislation and court decisions, the average case is so much more complicated and time consuming to proceed with than it's ever been."

mhowell@vancourier.com