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Code crews see more on Segway

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 24, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Residents throughout the city seem drawn to the code compliance department's latest means of transportation.

When officers motor through neighborhoods to assess code conformity on their Segways - two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicles - children come running and parents dash from behind closed doors to get a closer look.

"Kids love them, and I love the interaction it promotes," said Joe Gross, the city's code compliance director.

Officers, he added, also appreciate the greater field of vision the Segways offer.

In use by the Temple Terrace Police Department since 2006, all Segway drivers employed by the city must take a two-hour training session.

Tom Borroni, a code enforcement officer and retired New York City police officer, sees the use of Segways and the city's monitoring program as a bonus.

"When they see you on the Segway people know you care about keeping everything up to par," Borroni said. "You have a small percentage of people who don't like what we do, but they are usually the ones in violation."

Joyce McKenzie

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