Donation of Segways to enhance Belleville Police foot patrols

Some Belleville Police officers on foot patrol will have a bit of a different look thanks to a donation from the Belleville Lions Cub.

The Lions have donated a pair of Segway personal transport devices to the police force, with a price tag of about $20,000.

Police Chief Ron Gignac says the Segways will make officers much more visible and will be used across the city.

Constable Mark Hall heads the BPS downtown foot patrols and says the scooter-type vehicle may have an odd look to them, but they have had positive reaction from the public so far.

Belleville Police Constable Mark Hall chats with a member of the Belleville Lions Club, while standing on a Segway donated by the club to the police force, on April 30, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

And he says, in the short time they’ve been in use, the speedy upright vehicles are already making a difference in response times.

Hall added that the extra height the Segways give to officers makes a big difference as well, as far as being able to survey crowds and see what’s going on.

Representatives from the Lions Club said they were proud to make the donation and help in the BPS pledge to make Belleville the safest city in Ontario.

Here are a few more photos from Tuesday’s donation announcement:

Belleville Police Constable Bill Madden chats with members of the Belleville Lions Club, while standing on a Segway donated by the club to the police force, on April 30, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Belleville Police Constables Mark Hall and Bill Madden show off a pair of Segway personal transportation devices, donated to the BPS by the Belleville Lions Club, on April 30, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)

Belleville Police Constable Mark Hall shows off one of two Segway personal transportation devices, donated to the BPS by the Belleville Lions Club, on April 30, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)