Security guards hop on Segways to patrol mall
Valley River Center security guards are using Segway Personal Transporters to patrol the mall. By Joe Raineri and KVAL Web StaffEUGENE, Ore. -- Security guards at Valley River Center are riding Segway Personal Transporters at the Eugene mall. "It's a conversation piece for our guests," said Camee Southey, security supervisor. "They want to come up and ask us questions about it. And that's something we want - a connection with our guests and customers that come here so we can help them out and give them the directions that they need." The two-wheelers are being used to cover more ground through the mall. The Segways are capable of doing 12 mph, but inside the mall, guards keep the speed down to 6 mph. "It's just another tool in our patrols around the mall," Southey said. "One thing is that it can actually cover distance faster than we can walk." "It puts us about eight inches higher than when we were walking," Southey said. "We can be seen by our guests, which is something we want to do, and we can see better." "I thought it was pretty cool," said shopper Michael Williamson of Eugene. "I stopped the lady and was talking to her and asked her some questions about it." "I think it's interesting for security going around like that," said Amanda Nesbitt, another shopper. "You're used to seeing them walk around and keep an eye on everything. It's a very prominent presence." What shoppers find the most interesting is how it runs. The Segway is balanced in the foot pad. There are two batteries -- one on each side of the wheels -- and it balances itself 100 times per second. Right now, only two of the security guards are trained to operate the Segway. |
Upload directly from your mobile device. Learn howYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Stay Connected |
Connect with KVALViewer PollMost Popular
|
KVAL, 4575 Blanton Road,