Jun 27, 2008 7:31 pm US/Eastern
Protect & Con-Serve: N.J. Cops Turning To Segways
High Cost Of Gas Forcing Departments State-wide To Walk Beats, Bike & Turn Off Cars While Idling
Say Battery Powered Segways Help With Interaction With Public
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. (CBS) ―
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In an effort to cut down on the high cost of gas, police officers in New Jersey are turning to Segways, bikes and even their feet to patrol their beats.
CBS
From drivers to businesses, it seems nearly everybody is being affected by higher gas prices.
Many are trying to cut costs -- even police departments, including one in New Jersey whose new slogan is to "protect and con-serve."
Spending on fuel has skyrocketed. For example, In South Plainfield spending has risen dramatically since 2005 according to the town's chief financial officer, Glenn Cullen. Now, local government is doing what it can to save money.
"We've come up with different ways to save fuel on our patrol cars and administrative fleet," South Plainfield Police Chief John Ferraro said.
State-wide law enforcement officers are saving fuel in many ways. There is a mandate to have officers turn off patrol car engines instead of idling. They are being asked to ride in pairs. Officers are being assigned to walk or bike the beat. They are looking for more fuel efficient cars. And you are going to see more officers using battery powered Segways to patrol shopping centers.
"The Segway has introduced a new facet. They are in the malls as well as our bike patrol which give us more mobility and helps us respond to criminal activity in those areas' service," Piscataway Police Capt. Richard Ivone said.
Ferraro said the drastic moves will have no impact on public safety or the police's ability to do their jobs.
"We are not going to compromise the safety of residents of officers because of these measures," Ferraro said. "It won't affect response time either."
The upside to all of these changes is that the police officers will be interacting more with the communities on a more personal level.
"It provides more personal contact with residents and merchants and enhances community relations with the community and allows us to get feedback from them," Ferraro said.
And these officers also told CBS 2 HD that being on Segways has actually made it easier for civilians to interact with them. They're seeing an increase in tips that have directly led to arrests.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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