Segways on Red Deer streets have become a hit for attracting the public’s attention — and catching criminals and bylaw violators.
Red Deer city RCMP took on four of the two-wheeled electric scooters this spring and since then, they’ve been using them at public events, as well as for bylaw and criminal operations.
Spokeswoman Cpl. Kathe DeHeer said that they initially were leasing the Segways for a trial period and then they ended up buying them because police and bylaw officers were receiving a positive response.
The cost was around $11,000, including training.
A number of police officers were trained, including members from the Community Response Unit bike patrols, Crime Prevention Unit, as well as general duty members. Parks bylaw officers also wheeled them around.
There appears to be benefits when compared with individuals who ride adult tricycles and power wheelchairs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s study in 2004 showed that Segway users had higher eye heights, shorter lengths, shorter braking distances and faster deceleration rates, and required the least space to make a three-point turn.
DeHeer said the Segways were particularly useful in the downtown where there was a lot of construction.
RCMP promoted themselves on the devices at various events like Westerner Days and CentreFest.
When it came to enforcement, police found them effective for handling the bar crowd as well as others. Parks staff found them fast for heading out on the trails.
“As we get more members trained, they’ll be used even more,” DeHeer said.
DeHeer said more than 1,000 km have been clocked on the Segways, so far, until they are put away for the winter.
“People like to see them,” she added. “It gave us a really good way to engage with the community.”
Sylvan Lake RCMP echo similar sentiments.
The detachment has been using two Segways since 2007 after the provincial government gave RCMP special permission for the beach and downtown area. Segways are illegal to use under the provincial Traffic Safety Act.
Cpl. Malcolm Calihoo said they are used regularly during the summer. At night, police officers can zoom in quietly on criminals breaking into vehicles or other petty crimes.
“It’s an effective tool for us, for enforcement and for PR,” he said.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com
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