Chicago cops have a well-deserved reputation for being the toughest guys in a tough town. But you’ve got to wonder how many heads they are going to have to crack to keep that reputation up, now that more and more officers are riding around the Windy City on Segway scooters.
The CPD is spending about a half-million dollars to buy up 100 scooters and parts. That’s on top of the 50 Segways already in use at O’Hare and Midway airports, and around the lakefront.
Cops have become a key market for the scooter-maker, after the machines failed to catch on with the general public. Around the country, 125 law enforcement agencies now use Segways, the company claims.
In Los Angeles County… officers prize it because it allows them to stand a head taller than they would on foot, so they can see over crowds and cars and project a more prominent presence at events like the Rose Bowl parade.
The scooters, which travel as fast as 12.5 mph, also allow an officer on patrol to cover a much greater distance than on foot, and go indoors, onto elevators and other places bigger vehicles can’t. Blair said the added efficiency allows a force to cut down on the number of patrol officers on each shift and recoup the Segway’s cost in as quickly as a month.
Several bomb squads such as those in Ventura County, Calif., and Little Rock, Ark., use Segways to transport officers in bulky bombproof and hazardous-material suits that can weigh as much as 100 pounds. The Segway allows them to scoot in and out of a scene quickly, without having to waddle in on foot.
Last year, Segway came out with its i80 police model, which features a longer battery life, giving the scooter the an energy efficiency equivalent of 450 miles per hour gallon — with no emissions. The machine also boasts “Reflective Trim [that] helps establish your presence and enhance officer visibility” and a “Comfort Mat [that] alleviates fatigue that can occur when standing for long periods.” Not that Chicago cops get tired. Ever.
(Big ups: Gizmag)
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
“energy efficiency equivalent of 450 miles per hour — with no emissions”
Huh?
what is 450MPH equivalent ?
And no emissions : standard fallacy that electricity is free, no source emissions.
That said – piece is a giggle
450 mph? Where do I buy one – damn the Bugatti Veyron only does 300. I hope to see one tested soon on Top Gear – with the Stig driving of course. ;-)
Yeah, Segways are awesome mounts for police work — as long as the bad guys play fair, and don’t force you to deal with curbs while you’re chasing them.
I’d say the cop in the photo needs to walk a little bit. What’s wrong with inline skates or bicycles? You can go faster, and at least with a bike, you can install a built in donut holder just like on the Segway.
The cops should stay in their SUVs like the rest of us. Using new fangled technology that doesn’t use gas or spew smoke is “crazy talk,” let’s make fun of it.
Dear captbob ( May 31, 2006 01:04 PM )
It’s simple, miscreants- chicks LOVE Segways. I eat their beautiful shaved bushes like you punks drink Starbux coffee… endlessly, hot, with a shot of cream to top it off.
I will choose a triple extra large boyfriend for you in prison- watch what you type and where you park, BEEYATCH! Your “donut holes” are scheduled for some creamy white frosting for that cheap shot. You’ll be bobbing for nuts on your chin as your mouth tosses endless salads, suburban nobody.
Pull to the right for sirens and lights next time as soon as possible or face my wrath!
I work in the private security industry, specifically Shopping Center Security. Our company has offered Segway’s for the last several years. The actual decision on whether or not they are used at a center is generally down to the Director or client management.
The advantages given (to me, when I looked into them) were that they provided a better vantage point (an extra 18″ to see over the crowd), a mobile first aid kit capability (a small kit can be carried on board), and increased officer time on patrol.
I tend to be old fashioned and feel that if my staff can’t patrol on foot for 8 hours, they need to find a new career. Also, my first thought on seeing an actual model was something along the lines of “oh good, something nice and prominent for kids to walk off with as a lark!”
That said, its amazing how hard these are being pushed in the law enforcement and security fields. I’m not saying they absolutely won’t provide any benefit, but lets face it; for the cost and upkeep of a Segway, there’s a whole heck of a lot of other things that will give you more value.
“I work in the private security industry, specifically Shopping Center Security.”
BWAHAHAHA!!! Well, I guess it beats being a “sanitary engineer”…
That title can be read two very different ways. The best way involves crack-heads!
Derf. 450 miles per gallon, not per hour. Fixed.
nms
450 mp/gallon is still wrong. it is 450 mp/charge. it is a battery. no gallon of anything going in.
Well, “450 mp/gallon” is still wrong, as evidenced by Segway’s own website:
“Battery range: 15-24 miles ”
from: http://www.segway.com/segway/model_police.html
450 mp/charge* is still wrong
what homos
Seems like a waste of money.
“BWAHAHAHA!!! Well, I guess it beats being a “sanitary engineer”.” – Euphemistes
I always get a chuckle out of folks who assume that “Shopping Center Security” means “Rent-a-cop.” It may not be a glamourous career, but I know the worth of my staff and the effects that we have on our own little microcosm are profound.
And besides, Euph, “Sanitary engineer’s” tend to make a bit more, although for substantially less training. :)
I’d like to try one of those!
well now your city can go broke over some scooters. it should appeal to the community that the police really dont wana work for that pay check.how about a bike or try your two feet that god gave u .well lets watch the dum ass out come on this one an see how good it can get
Thank you so much for all new features!
Segway