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Never Fear! D.C. Segway Cops Are Here!

Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post

FOR THOSE WHO COMPLAINED that officers with the Metropolitan Police Department under then-Chief Charles Ramsey never got out of their vehicles to walk the beat, we now have D.C. cops patrolling neighborhoods with a new kind of transportation: Segways. Starting today, 25 of the awkward-looking personal transport devices will be added to patrols, with more on the way.

As The Post's Allison Klein reports:

The vehicles can go up to 12.5 mph and can cover far more ground than police can patrol on foot, while helping to conserve officers' energy. When officers walk a beat, they generally go 4 mph ...
Each Segway costs about $5,500.

» "Two-Wheeled Conversation Starters, Now on D.C. Patrols" [WaPo]

Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post

COMMENTS (5)
  • Of the 9 officers I can clearly see in that photo, at least 6 appear to be pretty seriously overweight.

    Perhaps Segways aren't the answer.

    Further:

    "The vehicles can go up to 12.5 mph and can cover far more ground than police can patrol on foot, while helping to conserve officers' energy. When officers walk a beat, they generally go 4 mph ..."

    You know, cop cruisers can go up to 120 mph and can cover far more ground than police can patrol in a segway, and they get to sit down, too, conserving officer's energy. On a segway, officers can only go 12.5mph.

    While Segways are better than Cruisers, walking is better than Segways. They will have more energy once they start getting more exercise.

    By AUA , Posted June 1, 2007 9:52 AM
  • As a pedestrian (sub-human)
    I have to deal with the nonstop insult of fat amerikans in cars taking up valuable real estate and polluting my air. Now, I have to deal with monkeys-on-wheels crowding me out on the
    sidewalk. Watch your speed,
    a-hole.

    By vegan warrior , Posted June 1, 2007 7:54 PM
  • Hey vegan watch your racist mouth.

    By Joe Touchole , Posted August 14, 2007 2:26 AM
  • Joe;
    Where is the racist comment that compels you to threaten Vegan?
    I think you are trying to read something into the term monkey that isn't there but if that fits your P.C. world, go for it.
    From my perspective the picture resembles a circus act made of up brightly costumed monkeys watching a ring master.

    By zevgoldman , Posted August 14, 2007 11:24 AM
  • Aua,

    You try looking skinny while wearing a bulletproof vest.

    FOAD.

    By Dave , Posted August 15, 2007 7:25 PM
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