It’s not easy being green.

But that’s just what Bradford City Police are hoping they can do
with the purchase of Segways, or electronic scooters, to help
officers patrol the downtown area.

Bradford City Police Chief Mike Close explained that with the
high price of gas, the city has been trying to provide a presence
downtown that is also eco-friendly.

“We are trying to explore alternative ways,” he said after
trying one of the Segways on a sidewalk on Main Street.

Elm Street Manager Lisa Campogiani said she is pursing a
Community Safety Initiative grant as part of the city’s ongoing
efforts in the designated Elm Street Neighborhood.

Pennsylvania Downtown Center, the non-profit charged with
administering and training Elm and Main Street programs, is
offering the grant as a first step in revitalizing core communities
within the Commonwealth, she said.

“The goal is to address safety and cleanliness issues and based
on the ideal that if a community is unsafe, or perceived to be
unsafe, return on financial investments in that community will be
suppressed and extremely limited,” Campogiani said.

“By equipping our officers with Segway I2 machines we will be
able to take the officer out of the car and put him back on the
street in a manner that is eco-friendly and conducive to fostering
long-term relationships with community members and downtown
businesses.”

Patrolman Chris Lucco, who experimented with one last week, said
the officers could respond to a call more efficiently then if they
are on foot.

“Running to a call could take longer and we could be physically
drained by the time we get there.”

The scooters go 12 1/2 mph and can go 24 miles after its fully
charged, according to Rob Hausrath of Segway of Western New
York.

“The I2 will allow officers to patrol the downtown business
district and the Elm Street Neighborhood more efficiently,”
Campogiani said. “This approach gives us the benefit of having the
visibility a beat cop fosters combined with quick reaction time an
officer in a cruiser has; the best of both worlds.

“As a community, we are very fortunate to have an administration
and police department willing to pursue cutting edge models for
increasing community safety.”

City officials hope the grant will cover two Segways.

Campogiani said grant applications are being accepted from
designated Elm Street Communities and need to demonstrate
innovative approaches to enhancing neighborhood security by
leveraging funding, creating partnerships and addressing long-term
sustainability.