luckie
08-10-2006, 11:11 PM
Police Officers Get New Wheels
Lisa Kubota
http://kgmb9.com/kgmb/display.cfm?storyID=8906&sid=1183
Honolulu police have started a six-month pilot project testing Segway Human Transporters. The department paid about $20,000 for four of them plus training. The machines can reach speeds of up to 13 miles an hour and they turn on a dime. "We're above the crowd, more visible to people around us and have mobility through small areas," explained Bill Uesato of the Honolulu Police Department. The Segways have flashing lights, a siren and two packs to hold extra gear. When the officers roll by, people are drawn to the unusual machines.
"Normally, I wouldn't have even said a word, but I was curious and it just looked like they were enjoying themselves and it looked like they were more approachable," said Armelinda Daniels of Mililani. HPD is sending the Segways into neighborhoods. The goal is to improve community interaction. "At the same time, they can get information on community concerns -- whether it's crime in the neighborhood or quality of life issues such as parking or noise violations," said Asst. Chief Bryan Wauke.
Riders use bike helmets and eyewear, but the police union is concerned about the officers' safety. "You really need to know that it's really safe and what the repercussions are, and then you can develop a pilot program. So they kinda put the cart before the horse," said Alex Garcia of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. "During training time I fell sometimes," admitted Uesato.
"There's a concern, and that's where the training comes in and the supervision comes in," said Wauke. "We get feedback from these officers riding it, and we'll know how much of a danger it might be or not." SHOPO plans to file a grievance with the Hawaii Labor Relations Board because the union did not have a chance to review the program. Wauke said HPD offered to do a presentation, but the Uniform and Equipment Committee was not ready to hear it. SHOPO also believes officers do not want Segways.
"Most of the officers that I've talked to are really embarrassed that they'd have to be seen on one of these," said Garcia. "We actually have a lot of officers that are interested in becoming part of this program," Wauke said. HPD is getting a lot of feedback. "I thought it was cool. They reminded me of RoboCops out of the future," said Felicita Garrido of Haleiwa. At the end of six months, HPD will decide whether to move ahead or put the brakes on this experiment.
Lisa Kubota
http://kgmb9.com/kgmb/display.cfm?storyID=8906&sid=1183
Honolulu police have started a six-month pilot project testing Segway Human Transporters. The department paid about $20,000 for four of them plus training. The machines can reach speeds of up to 13 miles an hour and they turn on a dime. "We're above the crowd, more visible to people around us and have mobility through small areas," explained Bill Uesato of the Honolulu Police Department. The Segways have flashing lights, a siren and two packs to hold extra gear. When the officers roll by, people are drawn to the unusual machines.
"Normally, I wouldn't have even said a word, but I was curious and it just looked like they were enjoying themselves and it looked like they were more approachable," said Armelinda Daniels of Mililani. HPD is sending the Segways into neighborhoods. The goal is to improve community interaction. "At the same time, they can get information on community concerns -- whether it's crime in the neighborhood or quality of life issues such as parking or noise violations," said Asst. Chief Bryan Wauke.
Riders use bike helmets and eyewear, but the police union is concerned about the officers' safety. "You really need to know that it's really safe and what the repercussions are, and then you can develop a pilot program. So they kinda put the cart before the horse," said Alex Garcia of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. "During training time I fell sometimes," admitted Uesato.
"There's a concern, and that's where the training comes in and the supervision comes in," said Wauke. "We get feedback from these officers riding it, and we'll know how much of a danger it might be or not." SHOPO plans to file a grievance with the Hawaii Labor Relations Board because the union did not have a chance to review the program. Wauke said HPD offered to do a presentation, but the Uniform and Equipment Committee was not ready to hear it. SHOPO also believes officers do not want Segways.
"Most of the officers that I've talked to are really embarrassed that they'd have to be seen on one of these," said Garcia. "We actually have a lot of officers that are interested in becoming part of this program," Wauke said. HPD is getting a lot of feedback. "I thought it was cool. They reminded me of RoboCops out of the future," said Felicita Garrido of Haleiwa. At the end of six months, HPD will decide whether to move ahead or put the brakes on this experiment.