Modern Vespa

I'm in Nashville on business and I saw two cops with scooters. First time I've seen this in the states. I wanted to ask some questions but they were on their lunch break and seemed like they really didn't want to be bothered. I did snap a pic though.

here`s a police scoot from Kelso Scotland.

This isn't a scooter, but it is Italian and it is a genuine law enforcement vehicle.
You gotta' imagine the Italian Cop's face the day his Sergeant throws him the keys to his new squad car

Good old N.Ireland scooter lol the badge on the front is based on the PSNI (Police Service Northern Ireland ) one lol .He rides it with the same helmet / hi viz gear etc as the cops here do !!!!

The NYPD has a long history with scooters. Originally they used Lambrettas
Now they use BVs:


There have been Yamaha Rivas, Honda Elites, and most recently the electric Vehix sprinkled in throughout history too (as well as the 3 wheels Cushman)
http://www.nyscooterclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12740&start=0

That's a great shot, but man - every one of those guys looks a little "soggy in the middle!"

Ha!

Yeah, not the most slender gathering.

What's kinda funny too is that they often travel in packs like that. I've seen big packs of 10 or more on at least a dozen occasions. Very rare, in my experience, to see an NYPD scooter scootin' on it's own.

Funny you should say that, actually. I've only been to NYC one time in my life - 3 years ago this Labor Day Weekend - and the entire time I was there, I was on the lookout for a police BV so I could snap a picture for MV. The whole weekend - Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning - I didn't see a single one, and then on the way to JFK in the cab from Park Slope, I see one on Flatbush by itself. Go figure! Of course, the camera was in my luggage in the trunk.

Ha ha!

That's always the way isn't it. As soon as you stop looking what you're looking for shows up.

This is the nicest Lambretta I have ever seen. I absolutely love it and would take that bike in a heartbeat. If I had one I would do it up the same way.

Vezpa, this link might be of interest regarding the history of the NYPD Lambretta
http://www.scootersoriginali.com/blog/scooter-history/new-york-police-scooters-vespa-and-lambretta/

What area did you see them in Nashville? Is that Demonbreun St.?

and what is that scoot? Maybe Honda Ruckus?

yes, a Ruckus

Yea I knew most of that. I saw a NYC police Lambretta in person but it was rusty and un-restored.

I hate to tell you, but...

They wrecked it.

well they were given a couple of them, but i don't think they were ever actually used by the police, just for things like armed forces parades and shows and the like.

Sorry, disagree. Saw a doco' about them and they were being used as active motorway patrol vehicles. Yes, they were also used in a lot of promotional work too.

That is awesome

There used to be a nice restored one at an old shop (Brooklynbretta) here in Brooklyn. Not sure what happened to it or who owned it but it was mint, looked great.

I've got all the paperwork back to when this scooter was part of the NY State Police fleet. This particular one was at the Rockland State (Mental) Hospital. I sent and e-mail to the hospital enquiring if they had any historical photos in the day. No response, I'm sure they have more important things to worry about....

Careful rustoration and engine re-build in 2004 by a talented east coast restorer. Runs like a champ.

i remember these bikes when they came through scomo! there was a pair of them, i'm glad to see that one of them retained it's original livery! iirc the other one was repainted in a german police motiff.

I saw that other one a few years ago at SCOMO, it was getting a new gp200 engine and it looked like it had been painted with roller, a putrid lime green. Sad really it was not preserved. The only thing left was an aluminum inventory tag from RSH still attached to the rear frame.

yeah it was definitely disappointing to see what happened to it, any nice patina is a crime to remove, but especially when it has such an interesting history. thanks for preserving yours!

I never got a pic of the cops on a BV when i go to the city. Seems like their always zooming by or i don't have my camera when their still I talked to a cop on one9 out my cab window) and he started to go into this diatribe on what type of scooter it was and i said i rode a vespa which brought a big smile to his face. 8) Don't know whether it was the fact that i rode a vespa or he didn't have to explain what he was riding on

I've seen them congregate, on more than one occasion, around Union Square (14th Street). Next time you're in town swing by there, you might get lucky.

Hell, the next time you're in town we'll finally be able to hook up (3rd times a charm and all that) and we can spend a day scooting around the city on a NYPD BV scavenger hunt...

That would be cool It's a date but don't tell the wife! What's cute is that the cops seem proud of their scooters I wonder if there is some behind the scenes bantering between the MC cops versus the scooter cops Be proud of what you ride is my motto

NYPD Harley guys are the Highway Patrol. From what I've heard NYPD Highway pretty much stays to themselves, regardless of what the other divisions ride.

And my wife wont mind me giving you the tour. It'll mean the nice AGV modular we bought her might get some use (she hates riding)

That pic looks like its real close to the court house. The police I have talked to love the little Rucs, they say that it does a great job for them. Its cool to go down town and ride up beside them on a bigger scoot.

But they do have guns and all

Does that say "Polini" on the side pods???

Like the Blue/Whie Lammy and Kelso PD ones the best

It says Polini right on the front.