Copter Could Aid In Fighting Area Crime
The Wilmington, N.C., Police Department is exploring the possibility of adding an aviation unit, hoping to bring a helicopter to assist in enforcing crime.
“We’re in a study phase right now,” said Lt. G.W. Perkins, who is a licensed private pilot and has been assigned by Chief Ralph Evangelous to research options. “We’re exploring the practicality, the cost and the benefits.”
A helicopter can respond to a crime in progress in a matter of minutes; it can be used to patrol local homeland security areas and assist in traffic control and suspect searches, Lt. Perkins said, noting that is also a “force multiplier. One helicopter can do the same research that six officers can do on the ground. If you have an armed robbery, for example, and you need six officers to set up a perimeter to look for a suspect, a helicopter can cover that same area.”
Currently, when a helicopter is needed in a chase or in emergency situations, local law enforcement has to request assistance from the N.C. Highway Patrol, which can get a helicopter to Wilmington in an hour at best.
“There is a military re-distribution program, where equipment is essentially given to local governments,” Perkins said. “We’re hoping to tap into that.”
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Wilmington Star (06/30/05) P. 1B .