The police across cities in India have been using technology to their advantage. After witty twitter banter, Mumbai cops have turned to patrolling in new Segway style scooters.
Chain snatchers and pick-pockets will soon find the going tough as they will have to outrun the po- lice riding Segway-style scooters. Watching youngsters riding these two-wheel electric vehicles on the Marine Drive is a common sight. Now get ready to see the cops on Segways. Yes you got it right!!! Ac- cording to reliable sources, cops posted at Marine Drive and Gir-gaon chowpatty will be enabled by Segways to move faster to nab criminals and traffic violators.
The Mumbai police force has been given these scooters as a greener and more efficient alternative to pa- trol the city’s streets and footpaths. The decision has been taken to en- sure better enforcement of traffic rules in Mumbai.
“Although, we patrol the promenade to catch miscreants, we are mostly concerned for women’s safety. Hence, the Segway is very effective, as it is very small and nimble, coupled with the fact that it can reverse. It can make curbing such incidents and catching miscreants a lot easier,” officer added.
A notification has been issued across all the police stations in the city to carry out a parallel drive along with traffic police. The move comes barely two years after the Mumbai Police introduced fancy bi- cycles for patrolling on city beaches and promenades.
Confirming the development, a senior official said that the Mumbai Police is attempting to revolutionise its patrolling practices to meet international standards. “Segways are being used by several police departments across the world. The scooters can quickly reach the spot and can ply on beaches too,” the official said. Currently, Segways are being used by the Australian, New Zealand, and Thailand, German and Chinese police.
While on the one hand Mumbai police can now book motorists for traffic offences, any officer on duty can now penalize you for any unlawful activities. Mumbai traffic police has a total strength of 3500 personnel of whom 3300 are constabulary. The strong constabulary of Mumbai city police mans 50,000 traffic outposts.
While police will continue to fine traffic offenders committing violations such as riding without helmets, not wearing the seat belts and jumping signals, they can function more effectively with Segways. In June 2015, Mumbai police launched a massive bicycle patrolling project. Around 24 bicycles were procured for cops patrolling Juhu and Girgaon chowpatty and Shivaji park beach. Segways will outpace bicyles. Segway has maximum speed of 2 km per hr and can run for 5-6 hours once charged.
‘The city Police has already pro- cured two Segways for trial purpose. These have been installed with small police beacons and carriers to keep walkie-talkies, radio sets, and diaries to maintain records. The scooter batteries will be recharged at the beat chowkies or nearby local police stations’ said a police officer.
Although novel, it might not be the healthiest way, some feel. “Certainly I would prefer bicycles to Segways, simply because of the health aspect. In bicycles, we have to pedal and often have to put in more effort as we have to battle heavy winds. With the Segway, all of these are taken care of and we do not have to put in any physical effort, which is not good for a police officer,” said an officer on condition of anonymity.
“Segways and other single-person transporters allow officers to cover more ground in less time with less fatigue, and still not lose the face- to-face contact that foot patrol provides. Officers using these vehicles can also carry considerably more equipment than they could if on foot, or even on a bicycle.
An officer on a Segway has a height advantage of almost a foot. This allows for much better observation and the ability to spot trouble and wanted persons”, said a senior police officer.
‘There are several variations on the Segway theme that have arguably improved on the idea, at least where police applications are concerned’.
“Although, we patrol the promenade to catch miscreants, we are mostly concerned for women’s safety. Hence, the Segway is very effective, as it is very small and nimble, coupled with the fact that it can reverse. It can make curbing such incidents and catching miscreants a lot easier,” he added.
