ALEA’s E-Newsletter is designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry.

The New York Police Department Aviation Unit’s newest aircraft has an unmarked paint scheme and arsenal of sophisticated surveillance and tracking equipment onboard. NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said last month that no other U.S. law enforcement agency "has anything that comes close" to this surveillance chopper, which was designed by engineers and computer technicians at Bell Helicopter, based on NYPD specifications. The chopper is named simply "23" — for the number of police officers killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The $10 million helicopter is just part of the department's efforts to adopt cutting-edge technology for its counterterrorism operations. The NYPD also plans to spend millions of dollars strengthening security and adding a network of closed-circuit television cameras and license-plate readers posted at bridges, tunnels and other entry points. Police have also deployed hundreds of radiation monitors, some mounted in helicopters, to detect dirty bombs. Kelly even envisions someday using futuristic "stationary airborne devices" similar to blimps to conduct reconnaissance and guard against chemical, biological and radiological threats.

Source: www.ap.google.com/article

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Australia Increases Budget For Policing

Australia voted to increase their budget last month, and 7.6 percent more money is being earmarked for policing. The new budget will allow replacement of the Western Australia’s aging police helicopter, the recruitment of an additional 90 officers in 2008-09, and funds for the construction of 16 new police facilities.

Source: www.news.com.au/perthnow

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Pot Lab Spotted by Aircrew

The Oakland County (MI) Sheriff’s Office used a helicopter equipped with thermal imaging to find a marijuana growing operation inside a home’s garage last month. The owners, a 59-year-old man and his 47-year-old wife, were arrested after Oakland County Police joined Hamburg Township Police and Livingston County agents in a raid. During a press conference, items seized from the house were displayed, including 11 guns and about 30 pounds of potent marijuana.

Source: www.freep.com

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Agencies Work Together On Three-Day Initiative

A three-day joint mission between Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP) and the Cleveland Police Department (CPD) took place last month. Approximately 60 CPD and OSP police officers, troopers and support personnel partnered on a 24-hour, zero-tolerance initiative that focused on aggressive saturation patrols of Cleveland's city streets.

Thirty-two felony and 39 misdemeanor arrests were made during the three days, most for drug related activity. Additionally, 272 citations were issued for various traffic and noise violations. Nearly $5,000 was seized and 45 people were cited for misdemeanor offenses. Auto theft detectives from both agencies joined forces to conduct inspections in area junkyards and garages. Narcotics detectives assisted with intelligence and street level narcotics interdiction. Helicopters equipped with forward looking infrared cameras and high intensity spotlights were utilized throughout the initiative as well as mobile command buses from both agencies.

Source: www.wkyc.com

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Three Stranded Jet Skiers Found By Aircraft

A Contra Costa (CA) Sheriff's Office helicopter rescued three men who were stranded after one of their Jet Skis sank and the other had a mechanical malfunction. When the men didn't return to the marina, the Sheriff's Office was contacted and dispatched its helicopter. Within about 15 minutes, although dark, the helicopter found the three men stuck in the water. The helicopter lit the men with a high-powered spotlight until a sheriff's marine patrol unit rescued them. None of the men had injuries. "This was just one of those situations where it worked out perfectly," a spokesman said. "They had been in the water for four hours, so it could've gotten bad quickly."

Source: www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci_9269759?nclick_check=1

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Dale County Helicopter Upgrades

With funds from a homeland security grant, the Dale County (AL) Sheriff’s Office now has a new microwave video transmitter. The installation on the 1973 Bell 206 Jet Ranger 206 helicopter will enable ground personnel to see what the aircrew sees in real time. That data is instantly shared to law enforcement personnel through the region as the helicopter assists in numerous searches and manhunts, many at night, where every passing second gives a new opportunity to find a missing person, or apprehend a suspect.

Sheriff Andy Hughes of adjoining Houston County said last month, "You can't put everyone in the helicopter at the same time, so if you've got eyes on the ground that can see what the helicopter is seeing, then you can make a better decision based on the information that you can have. The system can be live stream damage video for the emergency management agency in the event of severe weather. Or, it can stream a suspect's vehicle so people know who to look for.”

Source: http://www.wtvynews4.com

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UK Man Charged For Helicopter Laser Incident

A Greater Manchester (UK) Police helicopter was seconds from disaster after the pilot was temporarily blinded when a laser pen was shone at him from the ground last month. The pilot was providing air support in a vehicle pursuit when the laser incident happened. The pilot shielded his eyes and reported the location of a home that he believed the laser had been shone from. Greater Manchester Police dog teams were sent to the address and made an arrest of a 45-year-old male for endangerment of an aircraft. A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said, "Unfortunately, these incidents do occur and, although they are rare, they can be a safety risk to the aircraft if these people are attempting to distract the eyesight of a pilot.

Source: www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk

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Seattle To Host Air Show

Seattle's largest gathering of helicopters for public display will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission to the American Heroes Air Show is being offered at the Museum of Flight (www.museumofflight.org). The King County (WA) Sheriff's Office has helped to organize and sponsor this event. For specific information, please visit www.heroes-airshow.com or email barry.pomeroy@kingcounty.gov.

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ASTREA Choppers Upgrade Infrared System

The San Diego (CA) County Board of Supervisors last month approved the purchase of a forward-looking infrared system for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department helicopter fleet. With accessories and extended warranties, the estimated cost is $304,500.

The Sheriff's Department operates nine Aerial Support to Regional Law Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) helicopters. ASTREA has five forward-looking infrared systems: The Ultra 8500XRTLP, manufactured by FLIR Systems Inc., is operational on ASTREA's Bell 407 helicopter and four older systems are used interchangeably on ASTREA's MD helicopters. Two of the forward-looking infrared systems are 12 years old, and the county considers them obsolete and in need of replacement.

The Ultra 8500XRTLP provides high-resolution digital infrared thermal imaging and high picture quality in extreme temperature and low contrast environments. An operator can easily discern objects from individuals, and the Ultra 8500XRTLP incorporates a laser pointer to find and direct deputies to a target. The system can also be used in conjunction with a moving map to navigate to a position quickly and locate sites of concern, and it can track a moving vehicle.

FLIR Systems Inc. manufactured all of the existing infrared systems used in ASTREA helicopters. The new Ultra 8500XRTLP will allow the Sheriff's Department to maintain compatibility and will reduce pilot and maintenance training requirements, according to a county report.

Source: www.ramonasentinel.com