Rob Freese stands alongside Chief Robert Wharem,
Selectman Ed Vien, Sergeant Jeff Cain (on Segway),
Selectmen Denise Morin, Linda Small, Larry
Konopka and Town Administrator, Leon Kenison.
Pittsfield Police Department
Receives Segway Donation
by Meggin Dail
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Rob Freese officially
presented his gift of a Segway XM to the Pittsfield
Police Department. On hand to receive the donation
were town officials Leon Kenison, Larry Konopka,
Linda Small, Denise Morin, Ed Vien and Chief of
Police Robert Wharem and Sergeant Jeff Cain of the
Pittsfield Police Department.
The Segway has been in possession of the Police
Department since Friday, July 18 and, therefore, not
only been in use, but also been a helpful element in
community policing already, especially during the
balloon rally.
Tuesday, July 29th each of the officers of the
police department were given a lengthy demonstration
on the Segway’s features; including anti-theft
devices, lights and siren and then given a chance to
try it out for themselves.
Why a Segway? Freese felt that the donation of
the Segway would “get the officers out in the
community they police, face to face; to make
personal contact in the duration of their shifts.”
He also stated that he felt the height of the Segway
would increase surveillance ability while the
department is out on their walking patrols.
Being head and shoulders above the crowd can be
quite an asset to officers, especially when looking
for a suspect or missing child who might otherwise
be lost in a sea of people according to Sgt. Cain
who rode the Segway most of the weekend at the
rally. An unexpected bonus of the Segway
particularly during Balloon Rally was being able to
get from one place to another quickly despite
congested streets and sidewalks. Where it would have
been difficult to respond on foot and almost
impossible to respond by cruiser, the Segway got the
job done. “It’s also a great ice breaker for those
who are otherwise reluctant to talk to police
officers,” said Cain. Teenagers would comment on how
cool it was as it passed by them. Adults asked how
the Segway worked and where it came from. Younger
children would ask if they could ride too.
Regardless, the Segway is definitely a great public
relations tool.
How does the Segway work? It runs on a battery
that uses approximately ten cents of electricity to
recharge. The steering and drive of the Segway is
all about the rider. When you lean one way; it turns
in that direction. When you lean slightly forward;
it moves forward. The “steering” is all based on
your body motion and speed depends on your stance.
The Segway can go up to 13 miles an hour and stop on
a dime. It also has a zero degree turning radius.
“I think the only downside of the Segway,” reports
Sgt. Richard Walter, “is deciding who gets to use
it.” Besides all of the professional and economical
benefits it provides, it’s a lot of fun!”
Economics had a lot to do with this donation.
Freese felt that with town departments struggling to
stay within their budgets while gas prices continue
to rise, the Segway was a great answer to getting
officers out of their cruisers but still monitoring
the downtown area. “I believe every citizen needs to
do his part to help these officers function as best
they can,” Freese said, “and it’s up to the
citizens, not just the town employees, to support
these efforts.”
Time and time again, the request has been to see
police officers on foot in the downtown area, and
while that is made possible by walking grants and
bike grants, the Segway will make those “on foot”
officers that much more visible and mobile for the
public. Of course, the lights and siren are also a
bonus.
Community policing is exactly what Chief Wharem
had in mind when he waited while Freese Segwayed
himself across the street one day. “What do you
think one of those [Segways] could do for the police
department?” Wharem asked. Freese’s answer? “There
are several opportunities for the Segway to be used;
as basic community policing, alongside the walking
patrol one officer can cover a lot of ground,” and
the donation of a brand new Segway.
The Pittsfield Police Department thanks Rob
Freese for his extremely generous donation of the
Segway XM, alleviating some of the need to use
cruisers downtown and appreciates his endeavors to
forward public relations among the police and its
community.