MEXICO: MEXICO CITY POLICE ADD NEW UNIT OF 60 ARMED ROLLER BLADING POLICEMEN TO THEIR DEPARTMENT TO HELP COMBAT CRIME DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Record ID: 649478

  • Title: MEXICO: MEXICO CITY POLICE ADD NEW UNIT OF 60 ARMED ROLLER BLADING POLICEMEN TO THEIR DEPARTMENT TO HELP COMBAT CRIME DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
  • Date: 23rd November 2004
  • Summary: (W1) MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 23, 2004) (REUTERS) CU: ROLLER BLADES CU: KNEE PAD SCU: LEGS OF POLICE ROLLER BLADERS CU: WEAPON AND GLOVE GROUP OF ROLLER BLADING POLICE POLICE WOMAN SKATING VARIOUS OF POLICE ROLLER BLADING (3 SHOTS) PAN UP: POLICEWOMAN ROLLER BLADER COMMANDER OF ROLLER BLADE UNIT WITH POLICE (SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) COMMANDER OF ROLLER BLADING UNIT, JOSE DE LA CRUZ GOMEZ SAYING: "The main purpose of having police on roller blades is to help our fellow citizens. The unit is deployed to places were car theft and car parts are frequently stolen." POLICE ON ROLLER BLADES CHECKING CARS (2 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) MEXICO CITY RESIDENT, LUIS ANTONIO CASTILLO SAYING: "If mounted police, the famous "Charros", didn't work, then maybe the new police, which are young and are playing, maybe it could work and could be something new for the city." VARIOUS OF POLICE SKATING (2 SHOTS) CLOSE UP OF SKATES
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Crime,General,Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVATMAOWKCR2JRWRUFZ6TY6F4GM
  • Story Text: Mexico City police add a new unit of 60 armed roller blading policemen to their department to help combat crime in the city during the Christmas season.
    Mexico City police added a new unit to their department recently and put 60 armed roller blading policeman on the beat and offered news agencies a peek at their skills on wheels today (November 23).
    The unit which officially began operations November 15, is made up of 54 male and 6 female officers. The officers carry a loaded gun and handcuffs while out on their skating patrols.
    "The main purpose of having police on roller blades is to help our fellow citizens. The unit is deployed to places were car theft and car parts are frequently stolen,"
    said unit Commander Jose de la Cruz Gomez.
    According to the Commander the roller blading police will cover five times the space a policeman normally covers on foot and has the advantage of speed to quickly apprehend suspects.
    Mexico City residents don't quite know what to make of the roller blade police.
    "If mounted police, the famous "Charros", didn't work, then maybe the new police, which are young, and are playing, maybe it could work and could be something new for the city," said Luis Antonio Castillo.
    A few had doubts as to whether the police would be able to catch criminals running on non-paved areas or up stairs.
    The police officers have been training with professional skater Jaime Porras. In addition to their police weapons, the officers are equipped with skating helmets, knee pads and elbow guards.
    If and when the skating police officers make an arrest and want to process that person they must first take their skates off in order to enter police headquarters. Skates not allowed.
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