PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Police Department is about $5,500 short of having the money to purchase a Segway Personal Transporter to be used for downtown policing.
Donations began to be solicited from private residents last month to fund the purchase, said Barbara Frederick, executive director of the Port Angeles Downtown Association, which set up an account at First Federal for donations.
So far, nearly $1,000 has been raised toward the $6,500 purchase, she said.
Frederick said donations can be made at the association’s office at 208 N. Laurel St., or at any First Federal branch.
The Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered scooter.
The police department’s version would have a strobe light and siren, two saddle bags on its fenders and a car carrier.
Port Angeles Police Officer Duane Benedict, who is the downtown resource officer, plans to speak at several local organizations’ upcoming meetings about the Segway, which he tried out in June.
Benedict will appear at the meetings with a Segway borrowed from Port Angeles resident Larry Murray.
The meetings will be with the Port Angeles Business Association on Aug. 19, the Port Angeles Lions Club on Sept. 11, and the Nor’wester Rotary Club on Sept. 12.
Sterling Epps, former Port Angeles deputy chief, and Alan Barnard, Remax Reality broker, also will speak.
