A joint effort by the Newnan Police Department and farmers and Merchants Community Bank has resulted in the opening of a police bike patrol post at the bank's location on Temple Avenue in Newnan.

According to Farmers and Merchants Community bank president Tom Dunlap, a space at the bank's location recently became vacant and the bank offered it to the police department for the patrol's office.

"We recently moved our ATM inside the branch office on Temple Avenue from the small building where it was formerly located and had no plans to utilize the old building," said Dunlap. "We were more than happy to offer the space to the police department."

Newnan Police Chief Ronnie Williams said the building offers a perfect spot for the bike patrol.

"Because of the mutual concern for community safety, the bank and police department determined that the building could be better utilized for the bike patrol, which offers a great convenience for the patrolmen when policing on that side of town," said Williams.

Williams said some work was done on the building and police department identification will soon be added to the exterior. The interior includes a small office security system and an existing phone line.