Slog - Comments on The Future of Policing http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing The Seattle Police Department—perhaps taking a cue from Wall-E—is preparing its officers for a world without walking. SPD's parking enforcement team is testing a new, three-wheeled Segway-like scooter, which could be deployed for patrol use. It looks like this. And this. And this. In March, the city purchased six Segways for parking enforcement, for $5,000 each. These new three-wheeled scooters, made by T3 Motion, have a max speed of 18mph—the Segway only goes about 12.5mph—and cost $11,500. SPD Spokesman Mark Jamieson says the department is only testing the units, but they could end up in the hands of patrol units... Copyright 2008 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:05:45 -0800 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:29:15 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Hernandez HA! I knew it, I knew my eyes weren't playing tricks on me!

I saw one of those at 1st and Stewart last week - I was like, "Holy shit, I just saw a parking cop on some pimped-out Segway", but no one would believe me.

]]> Hernandez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073778 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073778 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:14:02 -0800 Comment by unwelcomed Hahaha!

I just watched one of those plod down 4th Ave... The poor officer riding it looked embarrassed, I felt bad for her.

I didn't think it was possible, but the SPD has just out-white-and-nerdied Weird Al Yankovic.

]]> unwelcomed http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073781 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073781 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:15:43 -0800 Comment by Carollani Meter maids couldn't look more wimpy than those 3 wheeled cars... no wait. They can.

]]> Carollani http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073784 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073784 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:16:22 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways uh, what's with the snark?

yes, segways look stupid but don't they run on batteries which makes them fuel efficient?

and face to face community on the street policing is always a good idea.

quit being assholes.

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073785 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073785 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:18:38 -0800 Comment by JC Anyone riding one of those needs to wear a white jumpsuit with a Robocop-like visor. And the vehicle itself should have a button that triggers a robotic voice to shout "Halt! Citizen! Halt! Citizen!"

]]> JC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073786 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073786 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:18:51 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Cool, this means caltrops and oil slick balloons will once more be useful in keeping cops off your tail ...

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073787 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073787 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:19:24 -0800 Comment by lorax Why these instead of bikes?

]]> lorax http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073793 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073793 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:21:53 -0800 Comment by Jeffrey in Chicago The cops in Millennium Park here in Chicago ride Segways. It's the most ridiculous looking thing, ever.

]]> Jeffrey in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073794 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073794 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:22:49 -0800 Comment by Graham I live down in PDX and at the Lloyd Center Mall the mall security guards ride around on those things. Yesterday I saw two grossly obese mall guards cross the street while riding the Segways. I really wanted to make fun of them, but I felt too sorry for them.

]]> Graham http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073800 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073800 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:24:59 -0800 Comment by Jeffrey in Chicago Check it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ray777/1139956369/

]]> Jeffrey in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073802 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073802 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:25:24 -0800 Comment by kid icarus Confirmed sighting at Seatac airport this weekend. We also snarked the fuck out of it @4.

]]> kid icarus http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073806 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073806 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:26:59 -0800 Comment by Jane The trike pic made me laugh out loud -- nice one, Jonah!

]]> Jane http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073816 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073816 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:33:26 -0800 Comment by Partying Patrol I dunno...paint the thing bright pink, outfit it with a sound system pumping C89.5, hang a couple of disco balls off it and it could be the next big thing in community policing for the Hill. Oh, and leather chaps. Definitely, chaps.

]]> Partying Patrol http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073823 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073823 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:35:23 -0800 Comment by Juris Man, fuck, those new bikes mean even the *cops* will be riding fixies? That scene is so dead.

]]> Juris http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073830 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073830 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:39:08 -0800 Comment by Hernandez @4 Face to face community policing is already possible here, it's called Cops On Bicycles and I see it all the time.

I could see the utility in using these for parking enforcement, but not much else.

And regardless of their functionality (or lack thereof), you have to admit they are pretty damn goofy looking, so lighten up.

]]> Hernandez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073844 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073844 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:47:55 -0800 Comment by Randy beaver Thats not to far off witht the trike. When SPD SWAT capped the bank robber last week right by my office the Swat suburbans rolled up all tinted out/flashing lights/sinister cop look, the guys jumped out in their bullet proof vests, grabbed machine guns and ran up to blast the robber. 30 seconds later a guy in a tank top and jogging shorts rolls up ona hard tail Kona mt bike, leans it against the suburban, grabs a AR 15 and goes running up to join the fray.

Way to reduce the SWAT teams carbon footprint. Its bike to work day at the West Precint!

]]> Randy beaver http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073854 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073854 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:52:51 -0800 Comment by cdc SPD's got nothing on these dudes.

]]> cdc http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073862 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073862 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:58:41 -0800 Comment by Patrick McGrath It may look silly, but assuming they've got to have a few powered vehicles around, then at least it's cheaper (and quieter and cleaner) than a Crown Vic:

http://www.internetautoguide.com/new-cars/03-int/ford/crown-victoria/index.html

]]> Patrick McGrath http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073865 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073865 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:59:25 -0800 Comment by Karl Schuck Not only healthy for parking control officers to have to stand up all day,(think of the health care savings) they're quite likely to need more donut breaks and issue fewer citations as a result. I'm looking forward to checking out the really chic rain gear to go with it.

]]> Karl Schuck http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073874 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073874 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:02:37 -0800 Comment by gfish While I'd rather see more bike cops, this is still better than patrol cars.

And since when is visual aesthetics an important decision when it comes to outfitting our police force? What a bunch of snobs.

]]> gfish http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073875 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073875 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:03:09 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @13 for the win.

But we need a comparison of fuel and maintenance costs for all of these.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073893 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073893 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:13:58 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Parking enforcement officers ARE NOT COPS. You can have all the bike cops you want, and it will have no effect on these scooters. They are not replacing patrol cars, either; they're replacing the fleet of Cushmans.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073908 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073908 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:27:06 -0800 Comment by Gaylord Au tres gay!

]]> Gaylord http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073954 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073954 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:57:02 -0800 Comment by NaFun What are they gonna use to keep off rain December-February?

]]> NaFun http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073960 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1073960 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:00:35 -0800 Comment by erike Do they HAVE to wear the bike helmet?!? Sheesh!!

]]> erike http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074018 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074018 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:36:59 -0800 Comment by Dave Coffman @24: I'm sure someone will invest a Segway umbrella.

]]> Dave Coffman http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074037 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074037 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:50:00 -0800 Comment by John Sure they're cops - they get pulled of parking enforcement to do other things all the time. It's not anyone's favorite position in SPD I'm sure, but huh?

Bomb squad carries a ton of gear - I was talking with those guys at the East Precinct picnic on Saturday. I think for them these tri-wheeled scooter thingies make some sense.

]]> John http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074091 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074091 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:32:08 -0800 Comment by Diana That one parking enforcement guy that rides around 11th goes WAY TOO FAST to be on the sidewalk - at least 12 or more MPH. And I notice he's about 5 times more efficient than he used to be because he can sneak up on people. He can circle the Pike/Pine/11th/ area about 5 times faster than on a bike or foot.

He shouldn't be allowed to ride on the sidewalk.

]]> Diana http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074146 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074146 City Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:11:58 -0800 Comment by CP @7, why these instead of bikes? $5,000 vs. $500, that's why. Lobbyists, money to be made, etc etc. For the same reason Homeland Security is flinging millions, many millions, at Predator drones and the like to patrol the southern border, when a guy in a Cessna can do the same job for a whole lot less.

OTOH, hey, much cheaper than Segway (that third wheel simplifies much) and much less gas consumption than a Crown Vic, but, uh,

yeah, Americans need to learn how to propel themselves.

]]> CP http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074232 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/07/the_future_of_policing#c1074232 City Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:29:15 -0800