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Lincoln police to try out Segways

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Apr 28, 2008 - 12:50:58 pm CDT

Police soon may be spotted scooting around on Segways in northeast Lincoln.

Chief Tom Casady said starting next Thursday the Northeast Team will get two Segway Personal Transporters to try out for a week.

Police plan to use them on all shifts and at the University Place Arts Festival May 10 to evaluate their effectiveness and feasibility for restricted areas, such as parks and bike paths and for special projects and events.

Story Photo
In this August 2004 file photo, State Trooper Todd Suchsland (left) uses a Segway to patrol the Nebraska State Fairgrounds. (LJS File)

Related Link(s):


Segway.com

Capt. Doug Srb said it’s “another way the Northeast Team is testing non-traditional methods of providing police service to a growing community.”

He said the tests are part of a continued effort to explore possible ways to improve service and in an environmentally friendly way. The Segways, which are electric, don’t use gasoline.

Casady said he expects to see more and more requests for Segways on Lincoln’s sidewalks, considering the price of fuel. He said they can ride 24 miles on a single charge.

But they currently fall under a city ordinance that makes it illegal to ride devices with two non-tandem wheels on sidewalks or streets.


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rd wheel wrote on April 28, 2008 12:22 pm:
" just add a small 3rd wheel in behind the standing platform...that'll override the ordinance of a device with 2 non tandem wheels... "

 Jeff wrote on April 28, 2008 12:25 pm:
" Just remember if they have to proceed on foot, they take the keys with them.
That would be an easy item to ride away on.
Have fun LPD
"

 mike wrote on April 28, 2008 12:37 pm:
" how will this save on fossil fuel? from the sound of it, it sounds like segways would only be used where bikes and footpatrol are currently used. They sure are fun to ride though. I hope they give out rides at the arts festival, maybe I'll actually go this year. "

 Tradition wrote on April 28, 2008 12:41 pm:
" I think it would be a great nod to our heritage to bring back mounted police during special events. Several other large cities, Wichita for one, do that and they are a great PR move, plus horses are intimidating to criminals. "

 copstar wrote on April 28, 2008 12:45 pm:
" It would have been nice to spend the money on hiring a couple of more cops instead of these. We don't have enough officers but we can afford these? What a waste. "

 c wrote on April 28, 2008 12:46 pm:
" hmmmm - how odd... I never see that tandem wheel thing enforced thank goodness... that would eliminate some of the tricycle's available to the retired population that helps them stay fit and would be terribly discriminatory to wheelchairs and to wheelchair cyclists. "

 Casady is a joke wrote on April 28, 2008 12:49 pm:
" Here we are, a city trying to find any way to save money, just to have him get approval for THIS? Too bad Casady doesn't own a side business that does landscaping. "

 k wrote on April 28, 2008 12:57 pm:
" There is someone in town who rides a Segue now. I have seen him/her (can't be sure of gender due to the person wearing a hooded coat) twice, both times around 27th and Capital Parkway, most recently leaving Ideal grocery. I guess I don't get the point of the city ordinance against "non-tandem wheels." "

 Dan wrote on April 28, 2008 1:08 pm:
" Awesome, so more and more cops can just cruise into obesity at a cool 3 mph. "

 Darren wrote on April 28, 2008 1:11 pm:
" so every time a cop rides one he's breaking the law? Isn't that lovely, would this be an example of selective enforcement chief? Something your officers are universally known for? "

 LOL wrote on April 28, 2008 1:12 pm:
" Laughing Out Loud. Period. "

 R. wrote on April 28, 2008 1:48 pm:
" GOB Bluthe would surely be proud of this move by LPD. "

 JT wrote on April 28, 2008 2:14 pm:
" Really? Can't they just walk? "

 Norm Pflanz wrote on April 28, 2008 2:52 pm:
" Some people who have commented on this story complain about how much the Segways cost and that they are a waste of money. Let's do something crazy and look at the facts: A Segway creates 14 times less greenhouse gas than the average American car and 20 times less greenhouse gas than a large SUV. A Segway is 11 times more energy efficient than the average American car and 17 times more energy efficient than a large SUV. So in many cases, instead of having police officers driving cars, using up a lot of gas and destroying the environment, they can instead ride Segways. Darn facts...

Also, have the City Council pass an amendment to the ordinance that allows the police department to operate Segways. This isn't rocket science folks. "

 W.G.Ahlers wrote on April 28, 2008 2:58 pm:
" From experience, horses are really great at crowd control too. As far as an enviornmentally frield means of transportation, shouldn't they use bicycles? I mean, they are less expensive than the $5000 Segways, right? Or maybe WALKING!!!

Also, when a perp runs away, all he has to do is just jump over some bushes or a curb. Drats! Foiled again by a 4 inch high curb! "

 natefrog wrote on April 28, 2008 3:02 pm:
" I think bicycles are the better option. That is all. "

 - wrote on April 28, 2008 3:28 pm:
" You have got to be kidding me! Saw these at a mall in Denver - hilarious! "

 ... wrote on April 28, 2008 3:51 pm:
" Ummm...I didn't read anywhere that LPD is buying these things. It's says they are testing them out for a week, which usually means the dealer is letting them have a demo model. Do they need them? Probably not. But they aren't BUYING them.

People: please actually read the articles before commenting. "

 Big Chief wrote on April 28, 2008 3:53 pm:
" The Segway could be a good deal. Some advantages: The officer would be above the crowd just enough to see more that is going on; in a chase the 20 mph speed of the Segway would allow the cop to rundown most suspects; they are quiet; by using electricity pollution is reduced; a regular uniform can be worn; very little space would be needed for parking; parking meter enforcement would be ideal for a use; a Segway can be ridden safely on icy sidewalks.
rd wheel has a good idea with the addition of the third wheel. Maybe an exception to two wheeled vehicles on sidewalks can be adopted by the City Council. "

 Copper wrote on April 28, 2008 3:55 pm:
" What about the bicycles? They work just fine and are pretty easy to ride. I don't see the need here! We are in a recession and need to cut back. As a police officer, I am always in favor of devices that will save time, money and assist the officers in doing their jobs. However, we don't need these, we have bikes! How many more officers can we put on the streets if we purchase bicycles instead. Just Say No! "

 cm wrote on April 28, 2008 4:34 pm:
" I like the walking. I mean come on should we foot this with tax money. Walking is healthy, healthy = less health insurance = less premiums! "

 Why Northeast wrote on April 28, 2008 4:38 pm:
" I'm not real sure why these are being tested in the Northeast part of town. A Segway strikes me as a good replacement/supplement to a foot patrol. Aside from Wesleyan (maybe), where does LPD have officers outside of cruisers?

Downtown seems like a much better home for these. There is a lot more pedestrian traffic downtown.

Also - the irony of the potentially law-breaking police officers could only happen in Lincoln. "

 Mat R wrote on April 28, 2008 4:43 pm:
" They may not use gasoline, but Segways still consume energy--much of which is derived from coal-burning generators.

Why don't we get more bikes to the cops?

They keep the cops in shape, are much faster (Wiki says they have a top speed of 12.5MPH), can go down stairs, and use no fuel (other than donuts and coffee--or whatever it is that cops eat nowdays) "

 Carol wrote on April 28, 2008 4:49 pm:
" How is this better than walking or the bike cops. These just seem pointless, regardless of their cost. "

 kjs wrote on April 28, 2008 4:50 pm:
" I wish they would change the ordinance, I think it would be fun to get one. I know several companies in Omaha that use them to do security patrol on their property and the security personnel seem to like them and they don't use gas. "

 so sorry wrote on April 28, 2008 5:58 pm:
" But there is just something about a cop on a segway that just can't be taken seriously. Falling down and laughing out loud......... "

 Hey copstar.. wrote on April 28, 2008 6:52 pm:
" Anytime you think you can get "a few more cops" for about $11,000 let us know. At $5500, these should last for years. They can go downstairs and up and down curbs. I saw a Trooper do it at the State Fair a few years ago. The sight lines are great. Good idea Chief but this is one where maybe the publicity isn't worth your effort to seek it. "

 ordinance wrote on April 28, 2008 7:06 pm:
" What ordinance prevents it? The only thing close (that mentions tandem) is a definition about bicycles. But the Segway's aren't human powered and probably don't have wheels over 14 inches. Even then, it's only in the 'congested' areas. And the bike cops don't have an issue violating that ordinance anyway. "

 Man wrote on April 28, 2008 7:16 pm:
" Could they mount a M-60 on the handlebars? They will need them in that neighborhood the way it is now. Got to give tom credit he is always thinking. I think tom likes toys though. "

 Bill wrote on April 28, 2008 8:41 pm:
" I have to agree bikes make more sense then these silly things. Bikes don't lose their charge and leave you stranded. "

 Ted wrote on April 28, 2008 8:45 pm:
" Wow, can you imagine the ridicule the poor cops that have to ride the segway are going to endure. "

 In the know.... wrote on April 28, 2008 9:00 pm:
" The city isn't paying anything for these if they decide to get them. It's called a grant. "

 Suggestion wrote on April 28, 2008 11:10 pm:
" What about skateboards, pogo sticks, or roller skates? "

 HMMMM wrote on April 29, 2008 8:07 am:
" how do they do in the snow and rain? "

 lazy wrote on April 29, 2008 8:16 am:
" I think a cop could go much faster on a bike and stay in fit condition "

 In The Know... not wrote on April 29, 2008 8:45 am:
" A grant covers the initial cost, not the upkeep. You know who pays for that, in the know? You and I do. "

 kan wrote on April 29, 2008 8:55 am:
" Add a light bar and siren and the Shriners would be proud!!(RE:Keystone cops) "

 Dano wrote on April 29, 2008 9:46 am:
" Buy some more bikes or get a platform they can stand on. Or a couple of mounted police is a great idea. Add police officers, not junk. The tryout is hopefully free. Stop thinking about wasting budget money on this junk, and do what is right. "

 big fist wrote on April 29, 2008 10:45 am:
" Chief tom: Make sure your boys in blue wear their motorcycle helmets and seat belts on these gizmos. they are motorized vehicles. But I guess you will be violating a couple of ordinances anyway so what the heck,it's selective enforcement anyway, right? "

 Shop in Omaha wrote on April 29, 2008 11:10 am:
" I have seen these at Shadow Lake Mall in Papillion, the security officer was using it.
Maybe they could ask them how they like it and what problems they have had in this climate. "

 Steve wrote on April 29, 2008 11:50 am:
" What happened to foot patrol? great way to spend tax dollars. guess i could understand if it was for bullet proof vests or something like that but its getting ridiculous with segways and high dollar mountain bikes etc. "

 OleMissREBELHuskers wrote on April 29, 2008 1:44 pm:
" I guess "walking the beat" Like the police do in most cities on the planet is just a hopelessly outmoded concept for LPD. Maybe if they could get a mounted taser, beverage cooler/warmer, turbo-charger for chasing perps, saddle bags for riot gear... "

 Im sure Tom wrote on April 29, 2008 1:57 pm:
" was expecting a lot of negative feedback on this especially from the city that complains a lot. But this is pretty ridiculous, this in no way will improve officers ability to catch criminals. I am willing to bet some of our force can run faster than these can go. "

 Shocked wrote on April 29, 2008 8:42 pm:
" ...That Cassidy hasn't chimed in yet defending this. He always seems to pop his head in on these blogs and tout the latest waste of department funds on never used tech gizmos "

 response to NormPflanz wrote on April 30, 2008 8:18 am:
" we all know how wonderful the energy efficient hybrid type vehicles are...especially how the batteries they run on are magically carried away by fairies during the night when they die. Thank goodness the batteries are so good for the environment too! You're right, this isn't rocket science! "

 Gregg wrote on April 30, 2008 3:48 pm:
" Despite what the dull minded majority here seem to think, Segways are a GREAT idea, not just for the police but we all should be riding them whenever practical. Weather would permit comfortable Segway use at least 6 months out of the year and the operational cost would obviously be FAR LESS than a patrol car burning $4 / gal. gas. I wouldn't think a Segway would use more than $10 of electricity per month. This means that in fuel savings alone, these very capable machines would pay for themselves in a few years which, for those of you who are having trouble following along, means that tax payers would SAVE money.

I really can't believe the number of unimaginative people who have posted about this. In the days when the automobile was a new idea, people would yell "get a horse". Does anyone here want to trade their car for a horse? "

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