LRPD Brings Back Crime-Fighting Helicopters
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 13, 2012
The City of Little Rock is bolstering it's police force with yet another crime-fighting tool. The department is re-introducing it's helicopters to deter crime from above.
Since public safety was a big force behind passing the one cent sales tax increase, City Manager Bruce Moore is now authorizing the police department to bring two helicopters out of retirement and back into the sky.
Search and crime scenes from the 1990's through the early 2000's show officers on the ground and helicopters roaming the skies. Police say the choppers patrolled the skies four days a week until budget cuts chopped the chopper program in 2003.
"Helicopters are helpful in pursuits and locating individuals in places where it would be more difficult for an officer on the ground," said LR Police Sgt. Cassandra Davis.
Now, thanks to the city's one cent sales tax increase, they're heading back up. It's been a decade, but some remember it like it was yesterday.
"I remember Little Rock felt like Miami Vice for a while," said Dr. Anika Whitfield.
While all memories aren't fond, back then helicopters aided in street searches and the spotlight was used to help rescue crews comb the river for missing people.
These days, opinions remain mixed.
"Instead of hearing rescue helicopters bringing people in who needed help, you might see lights come into your homes perhaps looking for someone or trying to track someone down," added Dr. Whitfield.
Alice Denucci disagreed, "Anything to help get wicked people off the streets so people can be safer for everybody."
As the police department wraps up the month of July, the deadliest month on record since 1993 and investigates two officer involved shootings in one weekend, department leaders say the investment is worth it.
"It's more of a safety net for an officer, if a suspect is hiding behind a building or waiting for an ambush, a helicopter does have a larger field of view," added Sgt. Davis.
Moore says they don't know exactly how much it will cost to get the helicopter program back up and running. Ten years ago, fuel costs for regular operation were about $24,000 a year. Moore also tells KARK they will probably only use the helicopters a few days a week and for emergencies.
Since public safety was a big force behind passing the one cent sales tax increase, City Manager Bruce Moore is now authorizing the police department to bring two helicopters out of retirement and back into the sky.
Search and crime scenes from the 1990's through the early 2000's show officers on the ground and helicopters roaming the skies. Police say the choppers patrolled the skies four days a week until budget cuts chopped the chopper program in 2003.
"Helicopters are helpful in pursuits and locating individuals in places where it would be more difficult for an officer on the ground," said LR Police Sgt. Cassandra Davis.
Now, thanks to the city's one cent sales tax increase, they're heading back up. It's been a decade, but some remember it like it was yesterday.
"I remember Little Rock felt like Miami Vice for a while," said Dr. Anika Whitfield.
While all memories aren't fond, back then helicopters aided in street searches and the spotlight was used to help rescue crews comb the river for missing people.
These days, opinions remain mixed.
"Instead of hearing rescue helicopters bringing people in who needed help, you might see lights come into your homes perhaps looking for someone or trying to track someone down," added Dr. Whitfield.
Alice Denucci disagreed, "Anything to help get wicked people off the streets so people can be safer for everybody."
As the police department wraps up the month of July, the deadliest month on record since 1993 and investigates two officer involved shootings in one weekend, department leaders say the investment is worth it.
"It's more of a safety net for an officer, if a suspect is hiding behind a building or waiting for an ambush, a helicopter does have a larger field of view," added Sgt. Davis.
Moore says they don't know exactly how much it will cost to get the helicopter program back up and running. Ten years ago, fuel costs for regular operation were about $24,000 a year. Moore also tells KARK they will probably only use the helicopters a few days a week and for emergencies.
