Pine Lawn, Mo. May 8 2008
By: Bryan Hill
Ntl. Assoc. Private Officers
www.privateofficer.com The goal is to see more people and police interacting face-to-face.
Pine Lawn leaders plan to do that with police patrolling in golf carts.
"I think it would be a good idea to do that," Pine Lawn resident Edward Simms said.
"We're concerned about security, feeling safe in our own home and feeling a part of the community," Pine Lawn Resident Mary Wurtz said. "This will help."
The police chief says the golf carts cost less than a cruiser, they use no gas and most importantly they put police in the community.
"I have officers riding up and down the streets on cell phones. I have officers with the windows up. And this here gives us an opportunity to be more accessible to the public," Pine Lawn Police Chief Rickey Collins said. In a community of 4500 people, they expect more contact with the police and a little bit more personal service than you might in a big city.
Collins says in addition to police presence and building trust, these allow officers to quietly and quickly get where cars can't, like in breezeways.
The carts are quiet, so officers can sneak up on suspected criminals more easily.
"The element of surprise with these golf carts is what's going to keep our community safe, Collins said.
And with one of their officers shot at just a few weeks ago, police safety is a concern too. But officials say this is no more dangerous than other patrols.
"You're sitting out in the open wherever you go when you're a police officer. I mean whether your in a car, walking the beat or riding a 10-speed, you're still in harms way," he said.
Neighboring community, County Club Hills, has had a cart for seven years. It's police chief believes in it.
"It's easier to approach a golf cart. You don't have the iron doors and everything around you than it is a lot of times with a patrol car," Country Club Hills Police Chief Cliff Ware said.
The mayor wants the patrols to start next month. The carts will cost $5,000, which will come out of the city budget.
Pine Lawn leaders plan to do that with police patrolling in golf carts.
"I think it would be a good idea to do that," Pine Lawn resident Edward Simms said.
"We're concerned about security, feeling safe in our own home and feeling a part of the community," Pine Lawn Resident Mary Wurtz said. "This will help."
The police chief says the golf carts cost less than a cruiser, they use no gas and most importantly they put police in the community.
"I have officers riding up and down the streets on cell phones. I have officers with the windows up. And this here gives us an opportunity to be more accessible to the public," Pine Lawn Police Chief Rickey Collins said. In a community of 4500 people, they expect more contact with the police and a little bit more personal service than you might in a big city.
Collins says in addition to police presence and building trust, these allow officers to quietly and quickly get where cars can't, like in breezeways.
The carts are quiet, so officers can sneak up on suspected criminals more easily.
"The element of surprise with these golf carts is what's going to keep our community safe, Collins said.
And with one of their officers shot at just a few weeks ago, police safety is a concern too. But officials say this is no more dangerous than other patrols.
"You're sitting out in the open wherever you go when you're a police officer. I mean whether your in a car, walking the beat or riding a 10-speed, you're still in harms way," he said.
Neighboring community, County Club Hills, has had a cart for seven years. It's police chief believes in it.
"It's easier to approach a golf cart. You don't have the iron doors and everything around you than it is a lot of times with a patrol car," Country Club Hills Police Chief Cliff Ware said.
The mayor wants the patrols to start next month. The carts will cost $5,000, which will come out of the city budget.
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