news-record.com

GREENSBORO - You might have noticed an officer cruising along on a strange-looking, two-wheeled device through the streets and parks of downtown Greensboro.

It's a Segway, those battery-driven vehicles where drivers stand while operating it, making them about 10 inches taller than normal.

Make that two Segways. Both were donated to the police department by local developer Roy Carroll. They're worth more than $6,000 each.

City officials announced the donation Wednesday in front of the police department headquarters off Washington Street.

Officer Ryan Todd also showed off a Segway to reporters, cruising along the headquarters property and parts of Washington Street.

Greensboro joins the ranks of a growing number of cities using the quiet gizmo to patrol neighborhoods and events.

Raleigh has six and is looking at getting six more.

Charlotte has about 24, said Carroll, who visited the city to check out how they're being used.

The quiet machines, which don't use gas, can be charged by plugging them into a standard wall outlet.

It takes about 15 cents of electricity to charge up. You can go about 24 miles on a single charge, cruising more than 12 mph.

"Segways will be able to provide us more mobility, maneuverability than on foot patrol, than on bike patrol," police Chief Tim Bellamy said.