Photo Courtesy of Amarillo College
AMARILLO,TEXAS -- They can cruise silently and go up to 100 miles for a dollar. We’re talking about a Diggler. The police department at Amarillo College’s Washington Street campus has now added the electronically powered scooter to their fleet.
The police are going green and saving some at the same time. The new scooter allows officers to patrol pedestrian areas, buildings and parking areas more efficiently than ever. The new two-wheeler, weighs about 100 pounds, and is propelled by a 49 volt, 750 watt motor and tops out at 35 mph, all while staying fume-free.
In an online article published by the college chief of AC police Mike Duval said, “The cops love to ride it. It’s kind of like snowboarding.”
“We can cover a lot more ground, visit many more places during a shift than we used to. It has been a real asset,” said Duval.
The department had been searching for awhile for an alternative means of transporting officers. Bicycles didn’t have much success, and the Segway received mixed reviews. Then the chief came across an article about the Diggler and spoke with other departments like his that used it.
“Every police department I spoke with gave the Diggler glowing reports,” he said. “They said it is economical, it has no mechanical issues, the public loves it, and they said nobody out-runs it.”
The Diggler costs $2,800 and arrived on campus in late August, and it has given the patrolmen a good advantage ever since. The scooter comes in handy in the parking lots as it allows the officers to easily fits in between the vehicles. Not only that but it can also be used indoors and off road.
The Diggler is inexpensive and has helped save the college money so much that another could be in the college’s future, for the West Campus.
Duval said, “If our budget allows for it, that’s what we plan to do.”
