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New crime fighting tool on TJC campus

TYLER (KYTX) - After requests at Tyler Junior College for some new squad cars, the administration went in a different direction.

It's not a mountain bike, and it's not a skateboard.

Its something in between. Its called a Diggler, and it's keeping TJC students safe this summer.

As campus security officers and school administrators test out TJC's newest toys, it may look like fun and games.

"Everybody's been trying to get on these!"

But the purpose of these new scooters is no joking matter.

TJC President Mike Metke, "We've increased our enrollment by 30 percent, so we've had about 30 percent more problems."

Dr. Tom Johnson is the Executive Director of Public Safety, "We have officers on food patrol, bike patrol, and now Diggler patrol.

TJC is the first school in East Texas with this type of scooter, and for campus safety.  

It works better than a larger vehicle.

 Metke says, "You can't get from one end of campus in a squad car, but you can in one of these."

The Diggler is also helping cut down on costs.

Metke says, "We've cut over a million dollars from our budget this year; this is part of it!"

It also doesn't hurt that they're eco-friendly and a hit with the students.

"The students say 'That's cool I gotta get one!"

On top of being "cool," students say the additional security makes them feel safer on the 90-acre campus.

Student Joshua Mumphrey says,"There's a lot of cases, especially me when I'm here going to the newspaper late,. or others who take night courses. They need some type of protection, so I think this is a wonderful idea and I hope TJC keeps enforcing security. Cause that's what we definitely need."

The Diggler may not be able to jump stairs like a mountain bike, but it sure is faster. This thing goes 30 mph.

 The campus now has two Diggler scooters, and will probably buy more soon.

They cost about $3,200 each.