Gardai to begin Dublin city Segway patrols

Iwannahurl

Rather cheerful picture in today's Independent showing two Garda officers patrolling Grafton Street on Segways donated by the Dublin City Business Association.





As a regular cyclist I have never regarded Segways as particularly appealing or useful, but I gather they are well-used, and well-regarded, by police forces in various countries. The article says Segways are already used for policing in over 300 cities worldwide.

While much slower than bikes, Segways presumably extend the speed and range of 'foot' patrols, and hence increase efficiency.

Here's a report on the police experience in New Mexico:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfk5ef81UcU

Pappa Charlie

I wonder if you can jump start a car with them?

kub

When I look at them, in a way they remind me of council workers sweeping up the rubbish as they go. Now with the advent of the Connect vans all the lads need do is chase the scum down the street to the awaiting back door of the vans.

Just a pity that there is not a nice big dump somewhere that the van could dispose of them for good.

MagicSean

Cant see the benefit over bikes to be honest. Not if they were to attach a net gun and taser to it i might change my mind.

bitter_lemon

So ridiculous looking. Oh i'll just hop on a kerb and you won't be able to follow me! Ridiculous......

MagicSean

bitter_lemon wrote: »

So ridiculous looking. Oh i'll just hop on a kerb and you won't be able to follow me! Ridiculous......

i don't think they're attached to them

bitter_lemon

They might as well be!

goldie fish

And this is where the rest of the Transport Budget went.

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/Garda%20Colouring%20Book.pdf

goldie fish

goldie fish wrote: »

And this is where the rest of the Transport Budget went.

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/Garda%20Colouring%20Book.pdf

That's actually quite good!

Iwannahurl

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

I wonder if you can jump start a car with them?

Or squeeze past cars obstructing the footpath (without stopping to enforce the law, of course)?

Iwannahurl

kub wrote: »

When I look at them, in a way they remind me of council workers sweeping up the rubbish as they go. Now with the advent of the Connect vans all the lads need do is chase the scum down the street to the awaiting back door of the vans.

Just a pity that there is not a nice big dump somewhere that the van could dispose of them for good.

Has Mountjoy become too cushy then?

I seem to recall that some countries operated very efficient human rubbish disposal facilities in the previous century (and in the centuries before that, no doubt).

Perhaps the Garda Inspectorate could look into updating and adapting those methods for 21st Century policing in Ireland?

wreckless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut7Fvt4IeAo

not much else to add

Zambia

Stupid idea to take the foot out of foot patrol

deadwood

goldie fish wrote: »

And this is where the rest of the Transport Budget went.

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/Garda%20Colouring%20Book.pdf

I thought that was the new sergeants exam. I did a lovely job, inside the lines and all.

goldie fish

deadwood wrote: »

I thought that was the new sergeants exam. I did a lovely job, inside the lines and all.

Did you colour in the white bits white though?

deadwood

goldie fish wrote: »

Did you colour in the white bits white though?

Yeah, but it's hard to get tippex off the screen if you make a mistake.

deadwood

deadwood wrote: »

I thought that was the new sergeants exam. I did a lovely job, inside the lines and all.

goldie fish wrote: »

Did you colour in the white bits white though?

deadwood wrote: »

Yeah, but it's hard to get tippex off the screen if you make a mistake.

I don't know if maybe I'm just tired or in an odd mood, but those three posts in a row had me in hysterics. I nearly fell out of my chair.

Celticfire

I would think that as a public relations tool they would be quite useful. Like the mounted patrol they are an unusual and would encourage members of the public to engage with the Garda (pose for pics etc) and help to show that the Gardai are approachable.

Not everything is about chasing criminals, sometimes good public relations and high visibility are just as important.