By Terri T. Johnson

Staff writer

ttjohnso@observer-reporter.com

Washington police Chief James R. Blyth likened riding the department's new T3 Motion to "riding a motorcycle standing up" after he rode it along Strawberry Alley for the first time Tuesday morning.

Equipped with red and blue flashing lights, a siren and three wheels, the newest vehicle in the city's fleet hit the streets at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

"They used it to stop a car today," Mayor Sonny Spossey proudly said Tuesday evening.

The T3 Motion is not a Segway, which has two wheels and is self-balancing. The vehicle was purchased through an $11,500 donation from Washington Federal Savings Bank, Blyth said, acquired through the inquiries of Lynn Galluze, the city's contractor for information technology.

The total cost, according to the chief, was $12,100 and includes two additional power modules that can be charged independently, permitting the unit to be operated on an almost 24-hour basis. Initially, the bank and city agreed on two Segways. However, Blyth said investigation found police departments prefer the T3 Motion.

Each officer who will operate the T3 Motion must have a current, valid driver's license, but no special license, like those required to operate a motorcycle, is needed. The operating officers must watch a training video before taking to the streets.

Helmet, gloves and protective eye gear are required. A majority of the officers have volunteered to use the unit, but none will be forced to patrol on the T3 Motion, Blyth said.

Because the T3 Motion is an official vehicle, motorists and pedestrians must obey an officer on the unit, which can reach speeds of 25 mph.

Currently, the state has no legislation requiring registration. That may soon change, Blyth said. But since the city is tax-exempt, any future registration requirements will not cost the city any money.

Fully charged, the unit will operate for three hours at top speed. Once the keys are removed from the unit, "it's dead," Blyth added. Because it weighs 450 pounds, the chief said it is unlikely it can be wheeled away once it is stopped and turned off.

The T3 Motion will be used on regular patrols and will be available for use by the meter monitors "if our guys let them have it," Blyth said.

The only problem experienced so far is getting up the steep hill on Beau Street between Franklin and Main streets.

The city is still pursuing purchasing a motorcycle or other motorized vehicle in an effort to reduce gasoline costs used in standard patrol cars.

According to the T3 Motion Inc. Web site, the unit costs about 10 cents a day to operate. Blyth said Washington is the first police department in the county to have one.

Unlike other municipalities in the county, the city does not have a bicycle unit.

"It would not be practical with these hills," the chief said.

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