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Campus police utilize segways

By Dylan Sands

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The KU Public Safety Office has been rolling steadily along on Segway scooters for nearly a year in an effort to improve its visibility and make students feel safer.

Captain Schuyler Bailey said the scooters had been a hit among officers on campus.

“They love them,” he said. “They’re something different; we’re utilizing new technology and it’s a great conversation starter.”

Bailey said the three Segways cost $6,000 each and were funded by the Campus Safety Advisory Board nearly a year ago. He said the office was still compiling data to see what cost benefit the Segways had created.

“We are definitely using less gas, but we’re paying more for it,” Bailey said. “We need some more long-term data.”

May Davis, student body vice president, said the environment played a major role in the CSAB’s decision to push for the Segways.

“With Segways, not only are they quicker but they’re more sustainable,” Davis said.

Matt Trofholz, Chicago senior, said he was confused when he first saw officers riding Segways on campus.

“I thought it was weird,” he said. “I don’t know how they think they’ll be able to catch criminals on those things.”

Bailey said that the Segways required training from the manufacturer before they could be ridden, but that certain officers “excelled” at riding the scooters and had begun training other officers.

Assistant Chief Chris Keary said the Segways took some getting used to.

“They are not something you can just jump on and ride,” Keary said. “You have to get used to shifting your weight on your toes and heels to make the Segway go and stop.”

Although reducing the office’s emissions was a motive for using the Segways on patrol, both Bailey and Keary said the greatest benefit of the scooters was the flexibility in interacting with people on campus.

“Officers on Segways are easy to spot and are waved down by people on campus who want to talk about the Segway or who need some other assistance,” Keary said.

He added that some people who flagged down the Segways had ulterior motives.

“The officers have received many positive comments about the Segways and many requests to ride them ­— sorry, that is not allowed,” Keary said.

Keary admitted that the hilly campus proved challenging at times while riding the Segways.

“I have never fallen from a Segway. We have had a few officers who have,” he said. “Like when riding anything with wheels, you need to keep an eye out for bumps or other problems in the path ahead of you and avoid them or prepare to ride over them.”

— — Edited by Ross Stewart

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