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2008 Venice Film Festival
Extreme Makeover: Home edition
Police looking at Segways
Officials say the vehicles could save the city fuel costs
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
HAMILTON — Law enforcement officials are looking to "Segway" into a greener, more affordable way to police communities.
Community-oriented police officers with the Hamilton Police Department test drove two Segway Personal Transporters for about a week. The two-wheelers, which cost $5,150 a piece, could save the department money in fuel costs while enabling police officers to be more noticeable, speed up response times and cover more ground, said Sgt. Steve Henderson, community-oriented policing supervisor.
Hamilton police officers Mel Gray, left, and Paul Webb patrol Dayton Street in Hamilton on Segways Monday May 12. The Hamilton Police department has been evaluating the vehicles for about a week. Henderson said the Segway travels a little faster than 12 mph and can go about 24 miles before needing a recharge, which costs about 10 cents in electricity.
"That equates to about 450 miles per gallon," in cruiser terms, Henderson said.
On Monday, May 12, Officer Jeff Eck motored around effortlessly on his downtown beat, which stretches from Martin Luther King Boulevard to D Street and a block on either side of High Street.
Eck said he was able to cover the entire area in three to four hours — a feat that's not possible on foot. He said the Segway also enabled him to quickly locate a 6-year-old who was found a few blocks away from her home about 30 seconds after she went missing.
Riding a Segway "is like releasing five of me out there," Eck said.
Henderson said he would like the department to get about five Segways, to be paid for through private donations and grants that are available for organizations that want to adopt environmentally friendly practices and equipment.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.
