The Town of Cicero has purchased four mobile tri-pod scooters called "Trikkes" that will be used by police to increase their neighborhood presence and give them greater mobility and a faster response time.

Town President Larry Dominick unveiled the three wheeled mobile scooters at Town Hall this week. Officers would stand on the tri-pod scooters which can travel as fast as 25 mph.

The "Trikkes" were unveiled at the Ceasefire Parade held Friday, June 18 at the Community Square behind Town Hall. The Cicero Police are the first in the country to use them.

Many police departments are using Segue Gyro Scooters, gyroscopically managed two-wheel systems that cost as much as $8,000 each, Dominick said. Dominick said he looked in to the Segue Gyro Scooters but decided on the "Trikkes" because of cost savings and flexibility.

"They only weigh about 40 pounds and cost about $3,000 each with the police lights and communications systems," Dominick said. Segues weigh about 200 pounds. "The police will be able to move these more efficiently. They can be packed into a police squad car and even charged from a portable car unit."

The "Trikkes" will use electricity and can operate up to 10 hours or 25 miles before they need to be recharged.

"That will take them through one shift," said Deputy Police Supt. Patrick McGee who is supervising their use.

Police Supt. Lori Lelis explained during a demonstration of the new mobile units at Dominick's office that they will give police the ability to better patrol neighborhoods and large events such as parades and festivals.

"They are fast. They will be able to get a police officer to respond to incidents in crowded situations or neighborhoods more quickly," Lelis said. "Speed is critical to responding to incidents. They'll be able to go through crowds and to get to any flashpoints far faster than if they had to on foot or in a squad car."

Dominick noted that the "Trikkes" are also environmentally friendly.