FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2005
Contac: Mark Huerkamp
(662) 329-7119

MUW Police Department has new GEM on its hands
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Mississippi University for Women’s Police Department has added a new member to its force.
   
The egg-shaped device many have observed MUW Chief of Police Calvin Sellers traversing campus is called a Global Electric Motorcar or GEM for short.
  
“It’s so easy to run around campus in,” said Sellers, who noted the GEM allows him and his team to navigate the campus quickly, quietly and efficiently.
   
According to Sellers, the $10,000 vehicle was made possible through a grant, which is being used to supplement and upgrade campus security.   
   
The GEM is a street-legal legitimate mode of transportation, which has a horn, turn signals, head and brake lights, mirrors and seat belts. It is also equipped with the option of a lockable trunk and a heater/defroster.
   
Electrically powered with a top speed of around 25 miles an hour, the GEM is composed of metal and plastic, with Plexiglas side windows and a glass windshield that arches its way to the roof, giving occupants excellent vision.
   
Riding in the cart is somewhat cramped, but there is room for two people. A four passenger is available, however, not necessary for the welcoming MUW security team.
   
“Environmentally you can’t go wrong. No emissions, no petroleum or gasoline needed, you just plug her up,” Sellers said. “I wish we had two or three of them.  They are easier to maintain than a gasoline car. It’s rough on a car, a lot of stop and go, never running over 25 miles an hour, and it really gets rough on them, but that is what this is made for.”