Cops Test-Drive A Segway

Sighted on Church Street just south of Chapel: Assistant Chief Luiz Casanova in the ​“saddle” of a battery-powered Segway. The ​“modern day horse” Casanova was riding may start galloping around downtown as soon as next week.

That’s how Assistant Chief Casanova described the battery-powered vehicle after piloting it around downtown for about 30 minutes Monday afternoon.

Casanova was testing out the Segway, which was on loan from the manufacturer. New Haven cops are considering buying two of their own to augment community-policing foot patrols, especially downtown. The Yale police department already uses Segways, as do cops in other cities.

“Walking beats are great, but you can see a cop coming for a mile” with the Segway, because the silent vehicle elevates an officer way above a crowd, Casanova observed.

That visibility may help contain auto thefts downtown, Casanova speculated. He paused, as at least four passersby also paused to double-take, to comment, and to take pictures.

The essence of the passing remarks: ​“Cool.”

Casanova also praised the device’s 12 mile-per-hour speed. He called it a ​“conversation piece” that could spark conversations with citizens.

Then there’s the environmental benefit. ​“If I can get two officers out of cruisers, that’s 16 hours of engines running” that can be eliminated. Casanova said. ​“Think of all the money I’ll save.”

Casanova joked that his only concern during his test drive was that he might fall off and end up on a You Tube video.

Casanova said he’ll consult with officers, then make his decision about whether to purchase the two Segways in about a week.

The Segway meets all city ordinances for vehicles permitted on sidewalks, he noted.

Then he rpde off north on Church, head and shoulders above the pedestrian throng.