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CNN Live Today

Atlanta Police Dept. Conducting Two-Month Test of Segways

Aired April 24, 2002 - 10:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Leon Harris is hanging out with the Atlanta police department today, but don't worry, he's not in trouble. It's a good thing. I think it's a good thing, unless they're figure out something that they're not supposed to know, Leon.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, believe me, this is good thing, maybe surrounded by rather official looking guys, but it's a good thing, trust me.

I'm actually having a good time out here. I'm playing around with the Segway. We've been talking about it all morning. And we're over at Atlanta Centennial Park across the street from the CNN Center, and we're talking this morning with a couple of gentlemen who have been spending lot of time on these for the last couple of days, ambassador Maurice Thomas and ambassador Eric Schatz -- sorry about that. They're not -- they're called ambassadors, but basically what you all are is sort of just not necessarily police officers for downtown Atlanta, but how would you describe the job.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We would describe it as probably more hospitality, the friendly force.

HARRIS: Now what you doing is you're actually -- you're demonstrating -- not demonstrating, but you're sort of trying out these Segways, correct? Or are you actually going to go out and buy these for the department?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're actually trying them out. We have purchased six as we stand here now, but we are trying these out on a test basis to see what the terrain looks like, how we can get in and around the city right now.

HARRIS: And the verdict so far is?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Great so far.

HARRIS: So far so good?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.

HARRIS: Now the talk is that they're talking about using these for Atlanta police department down there. Could you see this actually fitting into what they do and how they would actually use these things on the street? ERIC SCHATZ, DOWNTOWN AMBASSADOR FORCE: They're eight inches higher than anybody else. They can see a little bit further down the street. They just have a better visual of the street when they're out. Understand they even might use them at the airport.

HARRIS: OK, that would actually make sense because they have to cover so much ground at the airport. Well, you all have been using these for how long now?

SCHATZ: Two days straight.

HARRIS: Two days, so that's about 48 hours longer than I've been using it, at least.

SCHATZ: And it didn't really take me that long to really figure it out.

HARRIS: You guys are having a good time at my expense, laughing at me, as I try to figure out how to turn in this thing. But tell me about how it is to learn how to use this? Was it experience for you, or what? Was it easy for you, or what?

SCHATZ: The more you use it, the better you get. It goes so quick. It's so easy just to pick up things and learn how to do it.

HARRIS: How about with you?

MAURICE THOMAS, DOWNTOWN AMBASSADOR FORCE: It's about like your first bicycle ride. You first have to get used to the balance. And once you get the balance on this, it's pretty easy.

HARRIS: Okay. All right, I must vouch for you, you actually are correct about that.

Now let me ask you this. We know these things right now cost about $9,000. Would you buy one for your own use at home?

THOMAS: I would if I lived closer to inner city, I would, to commute back and forth to the downtown area. I would.

HARRIS: Now one thing we've been talking about here off camera, Daryn, back in the studio, is the fact that since you're on this, you may be moving around, it may be covering a lot of territory, but you have to stand all day long to do it.

What's the longest you've stood up on one of these?

SCHATZ: Three, four so far.

HARRIS: Three, four hours. Didn't that hurt your legs, or your feet, or your knees get tired.

SCHATZ: No, I feel real comfortable. It's not hard on your legs. It's not like standing on concrete all day long.

HARRIS: All right. Will we be seeing cops chasing bank robbers in these things or what?

SCHATZ: That I couldn't say.

HARRIS: Well, they do zip along pretty quickly.

SCHATZ: They do.

HARRIS: Well, you know, we are going to play around with these some more out here. I've got to tell you, as you can see, I've kind of figured it out, and it really as easy as they say. It's almost just like you have to think. Just to want to forwards, then you think backwards. There we go. I'm almost at the point where I can do it with no hands. Here we go. See that. See. I tell you this is Mrs. Harris' smart son, but, Daryn, there is side one thing they have not told me yet.

KAGAN: What's that?

HARRIS: That is how you get off. So if you can send all my scripts down here, I would appreciate it, OK.

KAGAN: And also, I have one other question for you, Leon. How come they gave the ambassadors helmets, but not you?

HARRIS: I didn't ask the crew that.

They just noticed the fact, gentlemen, that you have helmets and I don't. I think because it's been recognized a long time around here that I do have a hard head.

KAGAN: That you do.

Another question....

HARRIS: Mom has told me that for years.

KAGAN: All right. As we go, why don't you go on to a different terrain. That would be interesting to see.

HARRIS: Yes, you know what, what I also want to see is how they go up the stairs. I understand there's a way to get up the stairs, too. That may be the only way I do get off this thing.

KAGAN: Hopefully I will see you soon.

HARRIS: See you!

KAGAN: Bye. Be safe. Phone home.

(LAUGHTER)

Use both hands. Wait, watch out for that trash can, Leon.

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