Corpus Christi police officers Lee Galloway (left) and Jason Smith head out for their shift to patrol downtown on two wheels. The two off-duty officers are the first to participate in a partnership with the city of Corpus Christi and the Downtown Management District to provide an extra security presence in the area. Staff photo
Participating in all the great entertainment opportunities in downtown Corpus Christi just got a lot easier — and safer — with the addition of four off-duty police officers on bicycles and two security ambassadors on Segways. The full contingent of officers begin patrolling downtown Feb. 2 as part of a partnership between the city of Corpus Christi and the Downtown Management District (DMD).
The off-duty police officers, who will be paid by the DMD, began work Jan. 16. The Segway-bound ambassadors join the force in February.
“The emphasis of these officers is on quality of life,” said DMD executive director Terry Sweeney, who implemented a similar, successful program in Indianapolis. “They will be a visible, customer-friendly presence augmenting the current level of police presence in the downtown area.”
Officers who sign up for the off-duty work as well as the two full-time ambassadors will receive tourism training from the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau. All six members of the downtown safety team will be connected with each other and the police department via radio. Only the police officers will be armed.
“The Segway security detail will strictly be acting as eyes and ears,” Sweeney said. “They will be able to coordinate with nearby police officers if they need help.”
The main focus of all six is to deter criminal behavior and help people enjoying the amenities of the downtown area, whether it’s along the sea wall, Water Street market or the SEA District.
“You get a chance to meet and interact with people more and get your exercise in,” said officer Jason Smith, one of the first to sign up for the extra patrol. “You can’t get a better off-duty job.”
“What’s great about these types of things is that the bike patrol officers and the Segways will be visible and approachable,” Sweeney added. “People like to talk to the officers on the bikes and Segways, and it gives the police a reason to talk to people. It’s a benchmark for safety and customer contact.”
The agreement between the city and the DMD to increase the police presence downtown won approval from police Chief Floyd Simpson as well.
“We are excited to be partnering with DMD,” Simpson said. “This is an opportunity for us to work closely with the private sector in addressing street order crime and increasing our downtown police presence.”
House of Rock owner and DMD chairman Casey Lain agreed. House of Rock is in the SEA District, along with the American Bank Center, the Concrete Street Theater, the Corpus Christi Art Museum, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and other entertainment venues.
“As a property owner and business operator, I think this is going to be really helpful with addressing some of our nuisance crime and making people feel safe,” Lain said. “There are so many positive things happening downtown. This just adds to it.”
