Stop complaining; Segway is snazzy

Hello, my name is James and I like McMinnville Police Department’s new Segway.

For all the jokes and verbal jabs that have been directed toward this two-wheeled machine, you almost need to become a member of a support group if you like it.

I’ve heard some folks complain about the Segway’s $5,000 pricetag. I’ve heard other folks moan about the need for such a device. Probably the loudest groans have come from folks who want to see our police officers pedaling their way around the city instead of riding on any contraption.

One local resident even went so far as to buy a bicycle to donate to the police department. For future reference, I don’t know how the police department has reacted to this donation, but I offer nothing but encouragement for anyone who would like to give me a bike.

But here’s the most popular comment I’ve heard about the Segway: ‘Have you seen our police officers. They sure could use a little exercise. They don’t need to be riding around on that thing.’

My response to all this is that some folks will complain about anything. Give them a fresh $100 bill and they’ll bellyache about not getting five $20 bills instead. ‘Gee, it’s tough to break $100.’

While I can’t vouch for the physical fitness of our police officers, I think it’s safe to say our entire community, state and nation could stand a little more exercise. Whether you’re talking about police officers, nurses, secretaries or reporters, there is only a small percentage of our country that couldn’t stand to lose a few pounds.

Personally, I’m not going to hold our underpaid officers, who have the undesirable job of trying to get criminals off the streets, to higher standards than anyone else. I’m sure not going to approach a suspicious vehicle in the middle of the night, so if officers want to super size that extra value meal it’s OK by me.

More than anything, I think people are missing the point when complaining about the Segway. Its purpose is to be a source of interaction between citizens and police officers and it accomplishes that goal almost to perfection.

I’ve seen the Segway out on several occasions and one thing is for sure. It doesn’t need to come equipped with magnets. That’s because people are drawn to the device, if for no other reason than to ask the officer about how he manages to keep his balance.

This is the type of community law enforcement that Chief Charlie Sewell is bringing to McMinnville. His goal is to have law-abiding citizens feel comfortable around police officers. When that happens, it stands to reason that folks will be more free with information that could be used to solve crimes.

Forget about TV drama where microscopic fibers are used to catch perpetrators. For the most part, that’s for entertainment purposes only.

The most effective way to solve crimes is to have people talk. It’s that simple. And if people can come up and chit-chat with an officer on a Segway, they might be more willing to divulge information when it matters.

Folks are always complaining that this city never does anything new, never does anything that’s termed ‘progressive.’ Then when we do something unique with this new Segway, here come the complaints.

Perhaps I am in the minority, but that’s never stopped me before. I like the new Segway and believe it’s an asset to our city law enforcement department. That’s my story officer, and I’m sticking to it.

James Clark is editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].