When Winter Park police roll into action, they increasingly do so on Segways.
The two-wheeled, upright vehicles can be spotted patrolling areas including Winter Park Village, Park Avenue and the Kmart Plaza. They're part of a growing effort by the department to get in closer contact with the public. And while other Central Florida agencies -- including Orlando airport police -- have bought the vehicles, they're probably most visible in Winter Park's compact downtown.
"It makes people want to come up and engage" with police, said Lt. Jon Askins, who trains fellow officers how to use the self-balancing scooters. He calls them "a force multiplier" because they help officers cover more ground than they could on foot. They also give officers a better view of the area they're patrolling.
"It raises us about 8 inches, so we can see over crowds, and see further down the road," Askins said. They're particularly helpful when patrolling the city's major events, he said, such as parades and the annual Sidewalk Art Festival.
So, is there a downside to patrolling on Segways? They're not suited for rain, Askins said. And then there's that less-than-cool image.
"Some people giggle and say, 'Oh, look, the mall cops are coming,'" he conceded, referring to the Segway-riding title character of the Kevin James movie "Paul Blart: Mall Cop." But most reaction is far more positive.
The department bought three of the vehicles in October 2010, using cash from drug seizures. In recent months, training has accelerated, and more officers are using them on the streets.
"We've certainly proved they're worth the investment, even if we were paying for them with tax dollars," Winter Park police Chief Brett Railey said.
They cost about $7,500 apiece, meaning the department was able to get all three for about the price of a single patrol car.
The Segways have a range of 24 miles, or eight hours, before they need to be recharged in a standard wall outlet. They can be ridden almost anywhere -- on bike paths, city sidewalks, inside businesses, even in elevators.
"In the 31 years that I've been in policing, they're the best PR tool for getting in touch with the community," Railey said. With a top speed of 13 mph, he added, the vehicles offer "a lot of things you don't get when [an officer's] driving by your front door at 25 mph."
Their value was obvious Wednesday as Askins and Sgt. Jamie Loomis took a pair of Segways for a spin around Park Avenue.
In the span of a few minutes, they responded to a call about an apparently intoxicated man (he wasn't), gave directions to a couple of pedestrians and chatted with a few more.
"The Segways are fun. There's no two ways about it," the chief said. "They're fun."
As long as you're OK with Paul Blart jokes.
Copyright 2013 - Orlando Sentinel
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
