Police Energy

Interesting data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration on the real and nominal prices of gasoline. Click the image to see more detail, as well as data on the cyclical histories of gasoline and diesel.



During last night's City Council meeting, Police Marshal Tom Howard said he does not foresee gas prices to increase beyond $4 a gallon through the end of this fiscal year and therefore doesn't expect to ask for additional contingency funds.

He's probably right.

So here's a suggestion: Stop using police cruisers immediately when responding to 911 calls that don't require them.

Instead, use the motorcycles already in the fleet. Buy other scooters, electric or not, if you must.

Or forget the motor or electric bike and go with a trike.

Here's an old 1965 Harley-Davidson police model:



And here's a newer version, modeled after the Segway, that some U.S. and British police forces use:



When you consider a car averages 21 miles per gallon to a 2-wheeler's 75 to 100 mpg, it's a no-brainer what to do. Save on gas, improve fuel efficiency, and save on automobile depreciation...and be greener with bikes and trikes.

OUI

William White got off with a light sentence in 2003. If he committed vehicular homicide today, he'd serve a minimum five years in state prison. Fortunate for him, Melanie's Law wasn't around then.

The West Newbury teens issued summons for underage drinking last week don't have it so easy if, say, after several red plastic cups' worth of beer, someone got behind the wheel, drove away, and killed an innocent person. Any teen, heck, any adult, can say he or she is responsible and would never be caught in that situation. But if it happened to Billy White, it can happen to anyone with stiffer punishment today.

Newburyport police arrested 42 individuals for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor in calendar year 2005, the most recent time period I could find online. Six people were also arrested for a second offense the same year. [Source]

I don't think, though am not entirely sure, if any of the OUI drivers engaged in vehicular homicide or manslaughter.

Reacting to recent comments from Daily News readers about alcohol-related stories, such as 200-or-so comments responding to White's parole violation sentencing, may I suggest that the paper follow an example set by Quincy-based daily newspaper, The Patriot Ledger, with their column, The Drunken Driver Record which highlights the names of individuals charged with operating under the influence. Considering the numerous communities published by the Eagle Tribune Publishing Co., I can see the usefulness of such a column on whichever frequency works best.

How come none of those 199 comments mention Melanie's Law? This year marks the 3-year anniversary of the landmark legislation; Fox25 viewers respond.

On a happier note, check out Northampton resident F. Alex Johnson's blog, Fearless by Default. He began the blog on January 1, 2008, four days after he was arrested, at the age of 37, for his second OUI since 1989. He's off to a good start.

Police Academy is cancelled

After a six-year hiatus and despite numerous attempts to recruit residents (see Daily News stories one and two, for instance), the Newburyport Citizen Police Academy is cancelled.

Eager to expand my knowledge of the behind-the-scenes work of a police officer, I submitted an application earlier this month.

The police conveyed a message to me today that it will be offered again in the fall. I can only presume not enough people signed up to warrant the sessions.

That's a shame.

Newburyport police fleet: not green

The Newburyport Police Department owns 22 vehicles, according to a January 2008 list of the city's insured fleet. There may be more acquisitions in the subsequent months, and the list does not include police bicycles, for instance.

None of the vehicles are energy efficient.

Ten of the vehicles are from the Ford Crown Victoria line, though different years: one 1998, one 1999, one 2000, one 2002, one 2003, two 2005, two 2006, and one 2008. Clearly, as the police cruisers depreciate, accumulate mileage, and potentially get into accidents, new vehicles are bought.

Also in the Ford family are a 1995 Ford E350 van, two 1998 Ford Explorers, and a 2003 Ford Expedition.

The remaining police fleet includes a 2000 Dodge Intrepid, a 2004 Dodge Intrepid, two 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, two 2001 utility trailers, a 1998 yacht trailer, and a 1982 Charger Peacekeeper.

I'd like to focus on the Crown Vics, which are a standard with most police forces (and taxi companies) in the United States. Has anyone suggested to the Police Marshal and/or the Mayor to not just replace the same model when one dies but to invest in a cleaner, more energy efficient hybrid?

And I'm not referring to conceptual cars of the future, as shown in this Wired article.

I'm not about to start googling for what other police forces use, but for starters, how about the hybrid Ford Escape?

British police in London, as recently as last month, were eyeing the Mitsubishi Lancer as a replacement vehicle for new cop cars, as seen in this AutoblogGreen report. Granted, London and Newburyport roads differ but the point remains valid.

And ponder this for Newburyport: the Woburn police chief drives a Toyota Camry.