Archives

Some double up in cruisers, others walk the beat more. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357407,00.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/aggressive_driving1.jpgAssociated Press - May 23, 2008

About time! I remember complaining about cop cars left idling for minutes on end a while back. - Ed.

NEWBERRY, S.C. — With gasoline climbing toward $4 a gallon, police officers around the country are losing the right to take their patrol cars home and are being forced to double up in cruisers and walk the beat more.

The gas crunch could also put an end to the time-honored way cops leave their engines running when they get out to investigate something.

Some police chiefs think the moneysaving measures are not all bad, and might actually help them do a better job. But they worry about the loss of take-home cars, saying the sight of a cruiser parked in a driveway or out in front of a home deters neighborhood crime.

In Newberry, population 10,000, Chief Jackie Swindler is telling his officers to turn off the ignition whenever they are stopped for more than a minute or so, and to get out and walk around more.

"It's not a rolling office that you stay in all day," Swindler said. "You still need to get out and interact with the public."

Jonathan Taylor, a rookie officer in Newberry, said walking the beat in the region's oppressive summer heat may be a drag, but he added: "We're police officers. It's not supposed to be a comfortable job. If getting out and walking helps me do the best job I can, I'm all for it."

In Grainger County, Tenn., Sheriff James Harville planned for gas prices of $2.22 a gallon when he drew up his budget last year…http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357407,00.html

hybrid Camrys would probably be perfect for them... although
you'd want to reinforce the back seat so the suspect couldn't
poke something into the HV battery behind him.
.
_H*

I think the cops are not the only ones being forced onto feet! Hal

honestly just give the cop a tesla roadster lol

oh wait i didn't think about when you have to jail the people... hm no free lunch...

Some of our local police are out on bicycles. They have done that in the past, though, so it isn't strictly in response to higher gasoline prices.

Harry

One Adam-12, One Adam-12

Showing my age. It was a cop show back in the 70s and it showed two cops riding in one police cruiser. Our local police department recently made a decision I call "DUH!". They bought some motorcycles for traffic enforcement and quick response to accidents that tie up traffic. Next they should give motor scooters to metermaids and non-lawenforcement positions should be given either small fuel efficient vehicles or hybrids.

One Adam-12, One Adam-12

Showing my age. It was a cop show back in the 70s and it showed two cops riding in one police cruiser.

As opposed to the motorcycles in Chips?

I don't know about your law enforcement officers, but some of ours could stand to lose a few pounds :eek: , so maybe they should determine who "walks the beat" by their BMI?

Can't do that, that'll raise the city's insurance payouts for their heart attacks.

I don't know about your law enforcement officers, but some of ours could stand to lose a few pounds :eek: , so maybe they should determine who "walks the beat" by their BMI?

Well, that too. I'm over 280# and considerably out of shape and I could probably still outrun half the local cops around here. Without their cruisers they wouldn't stand a chance. :eek:

actually today i saw a wave of cops on bikes at least 5-7 of them, looks like they were racing each other!

i think an electric bike rigged for their needs would serve them better as cops needs to retain their strength for the bad guys. Lithium would be the best choice due to its quick charge capabilities and weight.

This might mean less speed trap cops idling for A/C on the highway in the hot Texas heat!