The Trikke Positron: a cost-efficient way for police officers to engage with citizens while offering quicker response times.

One of the most important components of strengthening any police agency’s relationship with the community is engagement. However, creating true bonds with the public requires more than sporadic moments of reaching out; it isn’t something that should just take the form of events like Coffee with a Cop or town hall meetings.

To truly foster meaningful relationships, officers need to get out of their patrol cars and onto the street. To that end, Trikke’s Positron, an electric, all-wheel-drive, personal patrol vehicle, enables officers to be among the citizens they serve while reducing fuel costs and providing quicker response times for beat cops.

Here’s why your agency should consider adding the Positron to your fleet:

Fostering bonds with the public.

Studies have found that moving officers out of their cruisers and onto a more approachable mode of transport can result in over twice as much contact with the public. The benefits of beat cops have been evident for years — more impromptu meetings with the public mean that citizens have stronger relationships with the officers.

Simply put, getting out of the car humanizes cops and has tactical benefits as well. Citizens who know their officers may be more willing to share information about the neighborhood and express concerns, which gives beat cops a clearer picture of the streets they’re assigned to protect.

The Positron shares many of the same benefits an agency can get from establishing a bike patrol: it’s a less threatening presence than a patrol car, it’s less easily spotted by criminals because of its lower profile, it can travel where automobiles can’t, it empowers officers to use more of their senses to identify crime, it saves agencies money and it’s good for the environment. However, there are specific benefits to a Positron that a traditional police bike cannot offer.

An effective alternative to bikes.

The easy-to-ride, ergonomic Positron has a smaller footprint than a bike while requiring fewer moving parts. This means better officer mobility in congested or high-traffic areas compared to bikes or other vehicles. The three-wheel Positron’s cambering frame leans with the rider-operator and allows the user to take corners at full speed and easily make u-turns — even in a narrow, sidewalk space.

Because it has fewer moving parts — like the lack of a chain, shifter, derailleur and crank —  it’s simpler to maintain than a bike. And the Positron is very portable – the foldable frame makes it compact enough to fit into most vehicles for easy transport and deployment. The uniqueness of the Positron can even serve as a talking point with community members and can be displayed at special events like National Night Out.

In addition, the Positron provides an elevated riding stance, 12 inches higher than on foot — allowing LEOs to see and be seen above crowds. And riding the Positron allows officers to greatly conserve their energy throughout each shift; they can respond and arrive at the scene ready for action.

Saving agencies money without sacrificing power.

The electric Positron comes in two models, 60V and 72V, saving agencies money on fuel without sacrificing power.

The all-wheel-drive vehicles can hit a top speed of 37-45 mph depending on the model, have a range of 25-35 miles and are multi-terrain capable with an effective fuel cost of about 1 cent per mile. The zero-emission, quiet vehicles are powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be quickly swapped out, increasing operational time while limiting environmental impact.

Transforming patrol.

Trikke’s Positron bridges the gap between police vehicles and foot patrols, empowering officers to better connect with their community while saving agencies money and increasing operational efficiency over foot patrol.

Learn more about how the Positron can transform policing on your beat here or request a demo.

Finally, an electric vehicle “mall cops” love riding.

Simon Malls, one of the largest shopping mall operators in the U.S., has taken a proactive approach to security by deploying the Trikke Positron at over 50 of its properties, transforming the way their security teams operate and providing enhanced mobility, efficiency, and safety for both personnel and visitors. The Positron’s sleek design and powerful 60V all-wheel-drive (AWD) system make it the ideal tool for navigating large, crowded environments like shopping malls, where quick response times and agility are crucial.

The Trikke Positron: A new standard in security.

The Positron is a cutting-edge, electric vehicle designed specifically for security patrols in malls, airports, and campuses. Equipped with solid tires for durability and a low-speed governor that caps speeds at 10 mph, the Positron offers both safety and performance. Unlike other mobility options, such as Segways, the Positron provides superior stability and maneuverability, allowing security personnel to cover more ground and respond quickly to incidents efficiently.

Currently, Simon Malls uses 70 Trikke Positron 60V patrol vehicles across its vast portfolio of shopping centers. These include popular destinations like the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall in Alaska, the Greenwood Park Mall near Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Del Amo Fashion Mall in Torrance, California. The introduction of the Positron has improved security coverage while providing a quieter, cleaner mode of transportation for security teams.

Security personnel praise the Trikke Positron.

The feedback from Simon Malls security teams has been overwhelmingly positive. Eric Lamey, Area Director of Public Safety at Greenwood Park Mall, shared: “The overall experience with the Positron has been far more superior. The unit is nicer and easier to operate than a Segway in every way. We look forward to our continued partnership.”

At the Stanford Shopping Center, Steve Davis, Operations Director, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We absolutely love the product and love the service [Trikke Professional Mobility] provides to our mall.”

A green and efficient solution.

In addition to enhancing security, the Positron is a sustainable, eco-friendly machine. Gildo Beleski, CEO of Trikke Professional Mobility, emphasizes the vehicle’s environmental benefits: “Trikke is a clean and green electric-powered vehicle. Non-emissions, silent, with a very low footprint. It’s ideal for indoor operation around pedestrians and is a great fit for shopping mall environments.”

With Trikke patrol vehicles, Simon Malls has set a new standard for security and sustainability in retail environments. As a result: the Positron has become an indispensable tool for security teams, offering a reliable, efficient, and environmentally conscious solution that ensures the safety of both shoppers and staff.

Trikke Defenders plus airless tires help company navigate multiple sites

Call Allied Universal Security Services in Texas trailblazers. That’s because the leading security and facility services company is among the first Trikke Professional Mobility clients to acquire our solid, airless tires, the perfect solution for patrol Trikkes that patrol on smooth surfaces. (Think airports, hospitals, malls, and other indoor facilities).

Recently, Allied Universal purchased three additional, 48-volt Trikke Defenders to expand their already-existing fleet of Defenders; only the new vehicles are equipped with airless tires, an innovation Trikke CEO Gildo Beleski calls a breakthrough:

“Trikke has developed an easily replaceable, solid, airless tire with medium rubber hardness that offers the right balance for a smooth ride and long durability. When it comes to maintenance of security Trikkes, it’s a game changer.”

It’s an assessment echoed by Allied Universal:

“We love the solid, airless tires on smooth pavements (which is about 80 percent of our sites),” says Allied Trikke Technician John Manjarrez. “Stopping is smooth. Turning radius is not as sharp as with air tires, but it’s a good compromise. Overall, I would highly recommend the airless tires. They’re an excellent improvement and keep maintenance to a minimum.”

Solid, airless tires are available on all models of patrol Trikkes. For more information, contact Trikke Professional Mobility.