Patrol scooter?

[kirch]

I heard recently that a local police department is accepting the donation of three Segway Human Transporters (formerly known as 'IT') from local businesses. I'm just questioning what these things could actually be used for?

I remember when they finally unveiled this mystery vehicle (I'm still waiting for the "revolution in human transportation" they promised) and they said that one of their key markets was going to be police departments. I was just as puzzled back then.

I'll admit I'm a bit of a traditionalist, but I'll accept change if someone can show me how it can make my job easier. Can someone give me a good reason a police department would want one of these gadgets?

[KenM]

Maybe patrol in a downtown type area or in the parks. Could cut down on walking quite a bit.

Other than that I see no benefit. They're probably expensive as h3ll to fix. And just think of the smart-*** remarks you would get on one.

[n567]

oh, what a society of lazy bums we're becoming...

[Mrs. Fish]

LOL...N567....true...very true...haha

[Signal 24]

Atlanta PD tested some this summer in there Downtown preceint.



http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/2002/04/23/segway-police.htm

[ 10-08-2002, 09:00 PM: Message edited by: Signal 24 ]

[Alpha07]

LMAO....

I think that the most embarrassing thing would be getting outrun during a foot pursuit on one of those..... But it would help cut down on walking for sure.

Alpha07

[Signal 24]

Says they go 15MPH. Dont know how fast most perps run in MPH

[MK219]

Where do you put the lights, siren, and radio?

[Alpha07]

Maybe they expect you to make your own siren noises??????

[Underdog]

On the other hand, I don't suppose that its any worse than bicycle patrols.

[RachelR]

I can see their usefullness for foot patrols but how do you secure one of those if you go into a house or building? Chain it to a bike rack or tree?

[Valor55]

Their initial top speed is 15 MPH but next generation ones are supposed to be able to get well up over that (20's I think).

They're supposedly very stable. The same balancing technology in them is going into a wheel chair that can "stand up" putting it's occupant at eye level with people and can't be knocked over. The wheel chair can climb stairs as well.

I see a limited use in LE if you have a "foot beat" in a downtown area. You could cover a greater distance in less time. Sort of like a bicycle patrol. I think bikes though are more versatile --especially with curbs and stairs. Parking enforcement and mail delivery (USPS) probably have a greater use for the thing.

[PeteBroccolo]

They sure would not work for me, either on Traffic nor on Detachment - it would take me all day to get from one end of my area to the other on one of those!

[kirch]

You know, I keep hearing how stable these things are. But if you're going 15-20 mph in a standing position and you run into something that causes a sudden stop, you're going to go ***-over-teakettle for sure.

[RachelR]

quote:

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you run into something that causes a sudden stop, you're going to go ***-over-teakettle for sure.

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@ kirch