May 31, 2007

Some stories defy parody.

By being self-parodying. Segways give N.Y. police a PR boost

By Chris Reiter
2 hours, 22 minutes ago

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City police have found a public relations boost in a two-wheeled scooter, welcome relief to a department criticized for suspected racism and excessive force.

The nation's largest police force added the electric scooter known as the Segway to its means of locomotion two weeks ago, joining some 300 other police departments that use them. The attempt to combat crime has also helped police connect with the public.

"People love it. A lot of tourists take pictures," said Officer Rafael Valerio, who zipped through Central Park on Wednesday, prompting cheers from school children.

"It's a police Segway. That's why it's awesome," said one of the kids.

Police suffered public backlash when an off-duty officer shot and killed an unarmed Honduran immigrant Fermin Arzu, 41 earlier this month. The shooting recalled a November incident in which four officers fired 50 shots at three unarmed black men, killing Sean Bell, 23, on his wedding day. [...]

One is inexorably led to assume by the article that now that the force is deployed in force on frisky happy smiley two-wheeled scooters, the public will love it when they happen to shoot unarmed Hondurans. Because let's face it--there's nothing like a grown man wearing a gunbelt swishing around on an electic scooter to make public criticism of racism and excessive force simply vanish away!

"That's why IT'S AWESOME!"

Posted by Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 12:27 PM
Comments

Reminds me a bit of the Baltimore City (a murder for each day of the year!) police buying Ford Tauruses since they were less intimidating than Crown Vic's (they also didn't hold up well from chasing people through alleys).

Posted by: steevil (Dr Weevil's bro Steve) at May 31, 2007 01:31 PM

This story was in the Hoover section of the local fish wrapper.

http://www.al.com/birminghamnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/1180426767241020.xml&coll=2

We've two wheels and we'll raise you one!


It doesn't have the racial aspects of the NY story (unless the City decides to use them in patroling Lorna Road). Still I'm a little miffed for the nominal rationalization offered for the purchase.

"Instead of being tired when you get there from pedaling, you're just fine," Davis said. "All you've got to be able to do is work the brake and accelerator."

Sorry guys, but I know the area your patroling and they are all pretty flat. Someone just got sold a bill of goods from the manufacturer.

Posted by: southtrek at May 31, 2007 01:37 PM

If I'm a cop, I want one of these, and I don't care who it frightens. The Highway Patrol has a few of these right now, and they look mucho macho.

As for the T3, I guess it probably works okay, but it still looks dorky no matter what they say, and I think I would rather have one that has a snowmobile engine in it or something other than a battery, just to make sure it was ready without having to wait so long for it to recharge.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 01:58 PM

I'd also point out the rotundity of many NY cops - a little exercise would not hurt them at all.

Posted by: skinnydan at May 31, 2007 03:09 PM

Better watch out, Skinnydan--one of them cops'll find you and you'll be Flatdan.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 31, 2007 03:52 PM