Local News in Brief : Orange : Smiling Officer Squirt Frowns on Drugs, Crime
The Orange Police Department has enlisted a robot in the fight against drugs and juvenile crime.
The robot, in the shape of a miniature, smiling patrol car, is named Officer Squirt. The 80-pound remote-controlled device has moving eyes and mouth. Officer Squirt “speaks” through a hidden microphone.
The robot provides schoolchildren with safety lessons and talks about avoiding gang and drug activities.
“Because of a recent increase in drug use by our schoolchildren, we believe it is time to work even harder with schools and parents in a drug and gang education program,” said Police Sgt. Timm Browne, who supervises the Officer Squirt program.
The robot was paid for by the Southern California Chevrolet Dealers’ Cops for Kids program.
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