MEXICO: POLICE HAVE FORMED A SIXTY STRONG ROLLER BLADING UNIT IN MEXICO CITY TO HELP COMBAT CRIME IN THE CITY DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Record ID: 858648

  • Title: MEXICO: POLICE HAVE FORMED A SIXTY STRONG ROLLER BLADING UNIT IN MEXICO CITY TO HELP COMBAT CRIME IN THE CITY DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
  • Date: 23rd November 2004
  • Summary: (L!1) MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 23, 2004)(REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) CU: ROLLER BLADES CU: KNEE PAD CU: LEGS OF POLICE ROLLER BLADERS CU: WEAPON AND GLOVE WS: GROUP OF ROLLER BLADING POLICE TILT UP: POLICE WOMAN SKATING VARIOUS: OF POLICE ROLLER BLADING (3 SHOTS) TILT UP: STATIONARY POLICE WOMAN ROLLER BLADER LV: COMMANDER OF ROLLER BLADE UNIT WITH POLICE SCU: (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." VARIOUS: POLICE ON ROLLER BLADES CHECKING CARS (2 SHOTS) SCU: (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 (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City:
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Crime,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVADOFFTG6SKT6PUD33FYQD6NVMW
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • 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.
    Forget driving, walking, and riding. Mexico City's police squad has a new unit to help fight crimes - the skating police.
    Since Tuesday (November 23), 60 armed roller blading policemen have been let lose on the streets of Mexico's capital showing off their sporting skills.
    The unit which officially began operations on 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. So criminals beware! As for Mexico City residents - they don't quite know what to make of their new crime busters.
    "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.
    They may also be a few handling difficulties involved.
    If and when the skating police officers make an arrest and proceed to take the suspect to their offices they must first take their skates off in order to enter police headquarters.
    No skating inside!
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