Now that we have had time to giggle at the pictures in the paper, it's time to ask if spending money on Segways was a better decision than other "priorities" like dashboard cameras for police.
A good case could be made for the Segway as a fuel-efficient alternative to foot patrols.
For one, it makes police more visible again, which many believe serves as more of a deterrent to crime than the current trend towards unmarked or low-visibility vehicles (that seem to be used more for writing citations).
On the other hand, we are one of the largest municipalities of our size to not have dashboard cameras to assist in documenting crime scenes and traffic stops, with the stated reason that money isnt available for them.
Was it a practical choice, or just a fashion statement?
I'll go with fashion statement. We have laughed about those things since they were delivered.
I really doubt they're patrolling a large enough area to need Segways. Anywhere within a half mile to a mile of the arena is easy walking distance. Were the cops even that far from the arena?
It's just another sign of Tulsans' laziness, just like the downtown golf cart cop.
I have a vague memory about the funding for segues coming from a different source than general police budget.
I think the segues are sort of funny, but they are really fun to "drive" if you ever get the chance. And it does allow cops to zip around from place to place and get through crowds easier than on bikes or horses (though I love the horses best for sheer coolness)... I think that b/c the segues are fun to drive, the cops WERE zipping around quite a bit. The bicycle cops were just standing by their bikes.
That guy in the golf cart doesn't even count. He's usually hanging out somewhere out of sight (preferably in the shade or indoors).
They were zipping around the Arena area quite a bit and while a few blocks is an easy walk, you're not going to do it in 15 seconds on foot. For non-peak times if they see some homeless guy down the street they can now hurry that way and check it out as opposed to walking and watching them run away.
So I'll take 6 segways over 6 dashcams.
I prefer crime prevention by police visibility over catching criminals after the fact. If there is no crime, you don't have to catch the criminal and no one gets hurt. It doesn't always work so we still need to be able to catch the bad guys too. Unmarked cars are usually only revenue generators in my opinion.
You might be able to buy three dash cam systems for the price of the six Segways. Assuming you want dash cams in all 500 marked patrol cars, I say SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Right now, this city is more interested in buying asphalt.
Unmarked cars are usually only revenue generators in my opinion.
Your statement is partially true. It does generate revenue. But they also deter aggressive driving. If you don't want to contribute to the revenue don't break the law.
quote:
Originally posted by tnt091605
Unmarked cars are usually only revenue generators in my opinion.
Your statement is partially true. It does generate revenue. But they also deter aggressive driving. If you don't want to contribute to the revenue don't break the law.
That statement makes absolutely no sense. How can an unmarked car deter agressive driving? By it's very nature an unmarked car is 'stealth', so it's deterring nothing because there is no visibility. Park a black/white police Charger in an empty lot on a street where the speed limit is 40 in plain sight..that's a deterrent.
I like Segways. They don't **** on the sidewalk like horses do.
quote:
Originally posted by Hoss
That statement makes absolutely no sense. How can an unmarked car deter agressive driving? By it's very nature an unmarked car is 'stealth', so it's deterring nothing because there is no visibility. Park a black/white police Charger in an empty lot on a street where the speed limit is 40 in plain sight..that's a deterrent.
I think it does makes sense... some people change their driving habits because they never know when one is going to be around. At least that is what they are hoping will happen. A makred car will make someone slow down and speed right back up.
quote:
Originally posted by unknown
quote:
Originally posted by Hoss
That statement makes absolutely no sense. How can an unmarked car deter agressive driving? By it's very nature an unmarked car is 'stealth', so it's deterring nothing because there is no visibility. Park a black/white police Charger in an empty lot on a street where the speed limit is 40 in plain sight..that's a deterrent.
I think it does makes sense... some people change their driving habits because they never know when one is going to be around. At least that is what they are hoping will happen. A makred car will make someone slow down and speed right back up.
But that still doesn't define a deterrent. If you change your driving habits based on a reaction to something you see while driving (a visible, marked police car), that's a deterrent. If you change your driving based on something you think might happen, that's a habit change. Two different things.
quote:
Originally posted by unknown
some people change their driving habits because they never know when one is going to be around. At least that is what they are hoping will happen. A makred car will make someone slow down and speed right back up.
I dont spend my time in traffic wondering which cars are unmarked, so I dont see the rationale.
On the other hand, a marked car is a visual cue even when you are obeying the law. If you are behaving it re-enforces that behavior.
Stealth ability only serves as punitive (rather than preventative) enforcement, and of value to those who see crime as a revenue stream (as opposed to something to prevent).
I would rather see less crime and a police department getting revenue through other means than one motivated to do traffic stops for their funding.
I think earlier we had also explored some camcorder options that were considerably less than the price of a Segway.
I wonder what the cost is for the 3 or 4 digital x-ray devices recently ordered for I guess the bomb squad or SOT? operations.
quote:
Originally posted by tnt091605
Unmarked cars are usually only revenue generators in my opinion.
Your statement is partially true. It does generate revenue. But they also deter aggressive driving. If you don't want to contribute to the revenue don't break the law.
Actually, I do obey the traffic laws to the best of my ability. I even come to a complete stop at stop signs. Sometimes reluctantly so depending on the driver behind me. I expect there are none of us that couldn't be stopped for something in a mile or so. Thankfully the Tulsa Police aren't that picky. Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered where the patrol car came from?