One Man's Trash . . .

When Mills County Sheriff’s Deputy Bob McAleer came across a 1979 Moped motorcycle that had been discarded in a heap of trash, an idea crossed his mind.

Why not take a look at the little two-wheeler and see if it can be restored and turned into a public relations tool for the sheriff’s office?

A conversation piece, if you will.

Well, with about $900 and some mechanical know-how, McAleer was able to put together the newest vehicle in the sheriff’s office fleet.

Painted and pin-striped to match the sheriff’s office patrol cruisers, the Yamaha Moped is up and running with McAleer at

the helm.

Mills County residents got their first look at the Crymhopr during the Emerson Days celebration and the Glenwood Homecoming Parade in September.

McAleer said the Crymhopr has attracted the interest and attention he had hoped for.

“The fire department has their little truck they drive in the parade and now we have this,” he said. “The kids really seem to like it. They can sit on it and have their picture taken with it. That’s one of the ideas behind this – getting positive exposure and developing positive relationships with kids.”

McAleer pointed out that the Moped is a showpiece for the sheriff’s office, not a vehicle deputies are using to chase down bad guys.

“It’s not a tool we are using (on the job),” he said. “It’s for

entertainment purposes only.”