Greensboro Police add two side-by-side vehicles, assign three officers downtown

Greensboro Police will add two side-by-side off-road vehicles to the downtown patrol fleet and have assigned three officers to the Center City Resource Team to increase mobility, visibility and response times in the Center City area. The equipment and staffing move is intended to allow officers to operate more effectively in crowded downtown settings and to strengthen community engagement with businesses and people experiencing homelessness.

Published Feb. 7, 2026, WFMY reports the department announced the vehicles and the additional downtown assignments as part of an effort to strengthen presence and accessibility downtown. The side-by-side vehicles are described as off-road and urban response vehicles ideal for crowded places, and WGHP reports they are being outfitted with Greensboro Police Department logos and gear and "will be available soon." Chief Thompson, quoted by WFMY, said, "[The vehicles] will allow officers to move more quickly and safely through downtown, enhancing response times and community engagement."

Operational changes center on the Center City Resource Team, or CCRT. WGHP reports the CCRT is comprised of two squads and that the agency has a goal of a total of 26 officers assigned to the downtown team, with plans in place to work toward fulfilling that goal. MyFox8, Yahoo and WGHP each report that three new officers have already been assigned to patrol downtown with the CCRT, and WGHP says the initiative has been in development for over a year.

Captain Marcus McPhatter, who has served 19 years with the Greensboro Police Department, framed the changes as an effort to combine mobility with everyday community contact. McPhatter told WGHP, "We need to be a little bit more mobile, have the guys on the bikes, and that's normally what you'll see if you come to downtown: the officers on the bikes patrolling." In Yahoo's coverage he added, "If we can just get out and walk or bike and step in and have a cup of coffee and visit the different businesses downtown, it's tremendous." McPhatter also said, "We saw the need for innovation. Greensboro is growing, and before it gets here, we don't want to get behind the mark," and emphasized partnership with city government: "We work hand in hand with the city to address the needs the unsheltered have" and "We are in constant communication with them … for things in and around downtown. We got to get these things done, be visible, be vigilant and be prepared to handle the next challenge that comes our way." WGHP notes City Manager Trey Davis supports the coordinated approach.

For downtown residents, business owners and people experiencing homelessness, the immediate impact will be increased uniformed visibility and new mobility options for patrols. Officials cite deterrence benefits, faster response, and more opportunities for informal outreach to businesses and unsheltered residents. Key operational details remain unspecified in available reporting: there is no firm delivery or deployment date for the side-by-sides beyond "soon," no public budget or procurement details, and no defined timeline for reaching the 26-officer staffing goal or metrics for measuring changes in response times or crime trends.

The department's announcements set clear operational priorities for downtown policing in 2026: mobility, visibility and closer coordination with city services. Residents should expect to see more patrols and new vehicles in coming weeks, and city and police leaders will need to provide follow-up on costs, deployment dates, training and outcome measures to assess whether the investments improve safety and community well-being.