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APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

And We're Off - APSCON 2018 Headed to Derby City Next Week!

The world’s premier public safety aviation training event is only a few days away! APSA’s Airborne Public Safety Conference, APSCON 2018, will be landing in Louisville, KY, July 9-14. This 48th annual conference & exposition will feature extensive public safety aviation education and training covering all sectors of public safety aviation, as well as an expo floor with the industry’s most cutting-edge technology. Visit the APSA website for more information and to register today! Join us at the Kentucky Exposition Center and Galt House Hotel for learning, networking and sharing.

Texas Sheriff Makes Massive Marijuana Bust With Aerial Support

An investigation by the Navarro County (TX) Sheriff’s Office turned up a marijuana-growing operation with thousands of plants in three separate fields. According to the Navarro County Office of Emergency Management, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter, deputies from the sheriff’s office narcotics division and SWAT team, and unmanned aircraft systems were involved in taking down the grow operation.

“We were alerted to suspicious activity in this area, prompting an aerial surveillance from our drone operations unit,” the Navarro County Office of Emergency Management said on Facebook. “This led to locating the illegal marijuana growing operation.”

SOURCE: www.kltv.com 

Poland Orders Black Hawks for Law Enforcement

The Polish Police Force has ordered two S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky subsidiary. According to the agreement, two Black Hawks will be delivered to the Polish Police's aviation department by the end of 2018. The new aircraft were purchased in a closed process. The aircraft represent a move to modernize the Polish helicopter fleet, in which the newest helicopter is 13 years old. The Polish government plans to spend more than $1 billion on law enforcement improvements in the near future, officials said. Limited details about how the Polish Police Force plans to use the helicopters were available.

SOURCE: www.polandinenglish.info 

Cellular Threat to GPS Is Again an Issue

A proposal to launch a high-speed cellular communications network that could interfere with GPS is once again raising red flags for aviation groups, including the Airborne Public Safety Association. The proposal comes from Ligado Networks, formerly known as LightSquared, which became embattled with the aviation industry over potential GPS interference issues several years ago. The company was forced into bankruptcy but has restarted its communications network campaign. APSA and 10 other industry groups sent a letter to FAA on June 15 calling on the agency to conduct further testing by an impartial third party to ensure the cellular signals won’t cause any disruption for GPS systems, including for aircraft operating near the towers.

Along with APSA, the letter was signed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Business Aviation Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, Association of Air Medical Services, Helicopter Association International, Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference, National Agricultural Aviation Association, National EMS Pilots Association and Professional Helicopter Pilots Association.

SOURCE: www.aopa.org 

North Carolina Police Helicopter Crashes From 5 Feet

A North Carolina State Highway Patrol Aircraft Operations helicopter was 5 or 6 feet in the air when it crashed at a training center in mid-June. Two people were in the helicopter, which crashed just after lifting off the ground. The pilot was treated at the scene for minor injuries and was taken to the patrol's medical facility. EMS took the helicopter’s passenger to a nearby medical center for treatment of minor injuries.

The 1970s-model helicopter was a surplus U.S. Army aircraft purchased by the state highway patrol. A spokesperson said the helicopter rose into the air when the pilot experienced “some type of difficulty maintaining control.” The helicopter tilted to its side and a rotor struck the ground, severing the aircraft's tail. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and Highway Patrol Reconstruction Team are investigating the incident.

SOURCE: www.newsobserver.com 

SABLE Aviation Unit Praised for Lifesaving Efforts

Helicopters operated by the multi-agency Southeastern North Carolina Airborne Law Enforcement (SABLE) aviation program have been indispensable lifesaving tools, according to a recent local media report. The report highlighted the unit’s role in rescuing individuals after Hurricane Matthew in 2016. “As large as Pender County is, 933 square miles, there are times where having an air resource is definitely advantageous for our agency and the citizens of Pender County,” said Captain James Rowell. “Pender County was an original partner in the SABLE program when it was started by the Wilmington Police Department. It remains an invaluable asset and we are gracious to be able to continue in this partnership.”

Since its inception in 2007, SABLE has responded to almost 4,000 calls, ranging from floods to tracking suspects to finding missing children and the elderly. SABLE is funded in part by money seized in federal criminal cases. The Wilmington and Leland police departments and Pender County and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Offices also contribute to the budget.

SOURCE: www.starnewsonline.com 

Brazilian Teenager Killed by Police Helicopter Fire

A 14-year-old Brazilian boy has died after being reportedly struck by a bullet during a security operation in which a police helicopter strafed a densely populated Rio de Janeiro favela. Police said six gang members were killed in the operation, but residents of the poverty-stricken neighborhood have reacted with intense protests.

The deadly security operation came a day after intense gun battles rattled other favelas near the center of Rio and two weeks after a battle between police and gang members vying for control of two neighborhoods. Witnesses said the police helicopter fired indiscriminately into a densely populated area near a school.

SOURCE: www.theguardian.com 

APSA Online Meetings: Next Month’s Schedule

Meetings are conducted through an online conference call you can join using your computer, device or phone. Online meetings are open to any APSA member. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

Due to APSCON 2018, there will be no Online Meetings in July. For August 2018, the online meeting for UAS operators will be conducted on Wednesday, August 8 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC). For safety officers, the meeting will be conducted Friday, August 17 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC), and for maintenance technicians on Friday, August 24 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC). Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well.

Illinois Legislation Would Expand Police UAS Use

Legislation introduced in the Illinois Senate seeks to expand the use of unmanned aircraft systems for police. The bill was introduced earlier this year in part as a response to the shooting at last year’s Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, NV, which claimed the lives of 59 people.

DeKalb Police Chief Gene Lowery said law enforcement drone use is limited to a few categories, such as search and rescue operations and crime scene analysis. The nearby Sycamore Police Department and Genoa Police Department have not used drones but said they might consider them in the future in light of the new legislation.

Orland Park is one of the few Illinois communities where police are using UAS to help apprehend criminal suspects and search for missing people. Police from other jurisdictions have enlisted Orland Park’s drone assistance on at least five recent occasions, Police Chief Tim McCarthy said. Orland Park has been using drones since 2015, McCarthy said.

SOURCE: www.daily-chronicle.com and www.chicagotribune.com 

Florida Woman Accused of Shining Laser at Police Pilot

A woman is accused of pointing a green laser light at a Palm Beach County (FL) Sheriff’s Office helicopter patrolling during a power outage in mid-June. Palm Beach County Sheriff's officials said the 33-year-old woman was arrested and charged with misuse of a laser lighting device. Authorities said the pilot received immediate medical attention and was not injured. Sheriff's officials said there has been an ongoing problem with misuse of lasers at nearby Palm Beach International Airport. FAA, NTSB and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been notified of the incident. The woman is being held on a $3,000 bond.

SOURCE: www.tampabay.com 

Minnesota DNR Holds Annual TFO Training

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Aviation had its annual TFO training at Camp Ripley last month. At this training, TFOs were trained on utilizing a new fuel trailer for remote operations, helicopter ingress/egress operations, Gyro Cam refresher and an aviation unit update by Chief Pilot Tom Buker. All TFOs took flights to practice tracking vehicles, watercraft and finding a simulated lost hiker in the woods. The training has expanded to two days and is continuing to offer more subjects each year.

Mexico City Having Success With UAS

A drone being operated by the Ensenada Police in Mexico has led to more than 500 arrests and a 10 percent drop in overall crime rates, according to local police officials. The DJI Inspire 1 Quadcopter has “helped with reducing response times and also catching people when they do something illegal,” according to Jesus Ramos Avendaño of the Ensenada Police Force. Over four recent months, the UAS unit flew an average of 25 missions a day—more than 1,600 total—deciding where to fly based on 911 call volumes.

SOURCE: www.wired.com 

Police Chopper Visits New York High Schools

The Westchester County (NY) Police Department Aviation Unit visited two high schools in early June. The visits marked the 2018 culmination of law enforcement clubs at Yorktown and Lakeland High Schools. "A big shout out to the aviation crew of the Westchester County Police Department who impeccably landed their helicopter at both schools…and provided an excellent demonstration of what they do to protect and serve our community," Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble said. "The students at both schools met countless law enforcement personnel from Yorktown Police Department, as well officers from our county, state and federal law enforcement partners." School Resource Officers Robert Doerr from Yorktown and Larry Paniccia from Lakeland coordinated the law enforcement clubs during the school year.

SOURCE: www.mtkisco.dailyvoice.com 

Michigan Department Launches UAS Units

The Port Huron (MI) Police have launched an aviation unit via two new unmanned aircraft systems and has trained its first pilots. The department’s two UAS were paid for with drug forfeiture money. "We just finished our training phase," Lieutenant Brian Georgia said. "We just finished our classes with an FAA instructor…It's our intent to use the drones for aerial photography and video documentary of crime and accident scenes."

Police officials said investigating accident scenes often could take six to eight hours. The UAS will allow the department to do the same job in an hour or two. Georgia said the drones also would be used for search and rescue and in instances when special response teams could use an eye in the sky.

SOURCE: www.thetimesherald.com 

Let’s Be Social; Share #APSCON2018 News & Photos

Attending APSCON 2018 and want to share news or photos with APSA members? It’s easy via our online channels; we’d love to hear from you! APSA is on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. Send us your photos, videos and stories for posting - Let’s start getting social today!

Kenya Police Purchases New Helicopters

Kenya’s interior ministry announced it has purchased four new helicopters for the National Police Service. The AgustaWestland aircraft were delivered from Italy and received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The helicopter procurement process was highly secretive, according to some opponents of the move. The purchase was reportedly in response to Kenya’s existing aircraft falling into disrepair. The country’s police force has suffered multiple helicopter crashes in the past several years and risked losing its license from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to operate the aircraft due to a lack of insurance.

SOURCE: www.the-star.co.ke 

 Cullman Police Aviation Highlighted by Local Media

The Cullman (AL) Police Department (CPD) Aviation Division recently was praised by local media as a rare and valuable resource. The CPD aviation unit, which operates a Bell OH-58A and Hughes OH-6A helicopter, provides air support during searches for fleeing suspects, acts as an aerial observation platform for security operations, and offers community outreach tools, among other things.

The local media outlet pointed out that helicopters are a luxury for small departments like Cullman’s. Officials explained CPD’s vehicles, including non-flying helicopters acquired for parts, have all come to the department through the federal government’s 1033 program, which allows the cost-free transfer of certain military resources to law enforcement and emergency responders.

SOURCE: www.cullmansense.com 

Pullman Police Department Launches UAS Program

The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued the Pullman (WA) Police Department drone certification, allowing the department to fly over a total of seven counties in Washington and Idaho. The department’s unmanned aircraft systems have already helped Washington State Patrol apprehend a fleeing driver. They've also documented major crime scenes, supported Quad Cities Drug Task Force operations and evaluated traffic patterns during major athletic events.

Officer Alex Gordon is one of the department’s UAS pilots. He spent almost 30 hours learning to fly the aircraft. The Pullman Police Department spent roughly $10,000 on its four UAS.

SOURCE: www.klewtv.com 

Maryland Aviation Units Team for Hoist Practice

Maryland State Police and local members of an advanced technical rescue unit spent June 21 practicing helicopter hoists to prepare for operations in Frederick County’s varied terrain. The annual training allows troopers and Frederick County fire and rescue personnel to stay up-to-date with rescue equipment and procedures. “You never know when you’re going to get one of these rescues,” said Corporal William Jansen, lead aviation command hoist instructor. “We’re out there fine-tuning our skills…we maintain proficiency by practicing with the equipment and maneuvering the helicopter.”

During training, state police rescue technicians and advanced technical rescue team members ran through a series of rescue scenarios, including using a new device. The Bauman Screamer Suit, a flexible, hammock-like device, was introduced by the state police earlier this year. The suit is a more comfortable way to remove patients with minor injuries. Maryland State Police has used helicopters to remove more than 60 people in more than 50 hoisting rescues statewide since 2013, Jansen said.

SOURCE: www.fredericknewspost.com 

U.K. Man Jailed for Shining Laser at Police Helicopter

A dad of six who shone a laser at a police helicopter flying over Manchester City in the U.K. could have caused a “catastrophe,” according to the judge who sentenced the 48-year-old to eight months in jail. The laser struck Captain Nigel Judge while he was helping search for a stolen car. Judge said he was able to remain in control of the helicopter after dropping the visor of his helmet, and then traced the origin of the laser. Officers were sent to the house identified by Judge, and the man was arrested. He was later interviewed and admitted to shining the laser at the police helicopter. He apologized to officers.

SOURCE: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk 

Ohio Looks at UAS for Highway Traffic Monitoring

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Drive Ohio Division is working with Ohio State University’s College of Engineering on a three-year, $6-million project to learn more about how unmanned aircraft systems can be used to effectively monitor traffic conditions. The work is currently done by fixed ground-based cameras, but their range is limited. Helicopters are sometimes used but are curbed by expense.

The research will take place along the Smart Mobility Corridor, a 35-mile stretch of U.S. Route 33 that hosts a range of initiatives for improving connected roadway infrastructure. The planned system would see data from drones sent to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Traffic Management Center, where it can be assessed and acted upon to keep traffic flowing.

SOURCE: www.wbrc.com 

California Sheriff Makes Pot Eradication Via Helicopter

The Merced County (CA) Sheriff's Department confiscated more than 250 pounds of dried and processed marijuana and destroyed 150 outdoor marijuana plants during three investigations into illegal grow sites on June 22. Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke spotted suspected illegal marijuana cultivation sites from the Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit helicopter.

Two people were arrested in the investigations for growing more than six plants outdoors. Several firearms were also confiscated, officials said. In order for a personal marijuana grow to be legal in Merced County, it must be indoors and have no more than six plants per residence. It also must be inside a "fully enclosed and secure" structure.

SOURCE: www.mercedsunstar.com 

CHP Helicopter Helps Rescue Hiker Swept Down River

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) brought in a helicopter to rescue a hiker from a river in Kings Canyon National Park on June 15. The Canadian man was swept downstream while swimming in the South Fork of the Kings River, CHP said. The area is known as Woods Creek. CHP said the man was trapped between rushing water and a steep granite wall. He was taken by helicopter to a nearby meadow, where he was reunited with his hiking group.

SOURCE: www.kron4.com 

UAS Interrupts Helicopter Fighting California Brush Fire

A helicopter attempting to make water drops over a California brush fire that forced home evacuations in late June was forced to land because of an unmanned aircraft system flying in the airspace, according to Cal Fire. The department said the drone was spotted shortly after its helicopter arrived on-scene. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) was evacuating homes in the area while the Santee Fire Department battled the fire. Cal Fire said drones cause a danger for responders in the air and on the ground and operators would be prosecuted. SDSO said the fire had threatened no structures.

SOURCE: www.nbcsandiego.com 

California Sheriff Rescues Lost Teen

The Fresno County (CA) Sheriff’s Office used a helicopter in mid-June to rescue a teen in the Sierra National Forest who failed to return to camp the day before. The sheriff's office received a report of the missing 15-year-old boy when he didn’t return to a campsite after rafting with family members in the Mono Hot Springs area. Search and rescue deputies and volunteers responded to look for him. They worked through the night and found him the next morning, according to sheriff's office officials. When the department's Eagle One helicopter spotted the boy, it landed, picked up the victim and flew him back to his family. He was not injured.

SOURCE: www.fresnobee.com 

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during June 2018:

Corporate Members:

Helicopter Accessory Service East

Individual Members:

Christopher Adamson, Pierce County (WA) Sheriff's Department
Sam Baby, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Manuel Bacelo, City of Miami (FL) Police Department
Bill Balzer, Portland (OR) Police Bureau Air Support Unit
Glenn Bammann Jr., Nassau County (NY) Police Department
James Barr, Brunswick County (NC) Sheriff's Office
Mike Bergeron, Gardena (CA) Police Department
Jonathan Blount, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department Air Support Unit
Brent Boylan, Oscar 4x4
Ehud Brener, Independent Member
Michael Bryant, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Peter Burkhard, Washington State Department of Transportation
Linda Butler, Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Keisha Chinn, Washington State Department of Transportation
Stephen Clarke, Peel Regional Police (ON)
John Cook, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Duane Cornett, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Steven Crown, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office Fire/Arson Investigation Unit
Shaun Daniels, Pinal County (AZ) Sheriff's Office
Chad DeVlieger, Woodinville (WA) Fire & Rescue
Greg Ditfurth, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Department: Aviation Unit
Hugh Dougher, Skagit (WA) Mountain Rescue
Jacob Edgar, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Todd Emerson, Washington State Department of Transportation
Aaron Erman, Seattle (WA) Public Utilities
Jeff Evans, Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Section
Jeremy Ferguson, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office
David Finke, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Adam Fischer, Nassau County (NY) Police Department
David Frenkel, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Minnesota
Dave Gaines, King County (WA) 4x4 Search and Rescue
David Geller, Eastside (WA) Fire & Rescue
Jeffrey Gliem, Delaware State Police Aviation Section Administration
Ryan Good, Olympic Mountain Rescue (WA)
Gabe Graveline, RespondAir UAS
Steven Greenwell, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Todd Hanson, Tulsa (OK) Police Department Aviation Unit
Mark Haywood, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Jeffrey Hebert, Honolulu (HI) Police Department
Mose Highsmith, Brunswick County (NC) Sheriff's Office
Greg Hightower, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office Search and rescue
Christopher Hooper, Anne Arundel County (MD) Police Department Aviation Unit
Jeffery Jensen, Eastside (WA) Fire & Rescue
Nlisi Kebe, Botswana Police Service
Scott Knight, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Lawrence Koren, Bernalillo County (NM) Sheriff's Department
Robert Kristensen, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Gary Lancaster, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Ashley Landon, South Dakota Highway Patrol
Jeff Long, Williamson County (TN) Sheriff's Office
Keith Luce, Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Marc Lucio, Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau
Robert Malloy, Pierce County (WA) Sheriff's Department
Ryan Markey, US Navy (MO)
Jack Matiasevich, Orange County (CA) Fire Authority
Tim McDonald, Dale County (AL) Sheriff's Office
Kaitlyn McHugh, New Hanover County (NC) Sheriff Office
Jon Mercer, King County (WA) CSARA
Frank Milazzo, NYC Department of Environmental Protection Police
Matt Miller, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Steven Mills, Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau
John Monaghan, Bensalem Township (PA) Police Department
Mike Morelli, King County (WA) Search and Rescue Association
Matt Mundy, Snoqualmie (WA) Fire Department
Jeffrey Nunes, Kern County (WA) Sheriff's Office
Chris Nygren, Bellevue (WA) Police Department
Jessica O'Donnell, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Tebo Vircent Otlaatingwa, Botswana Police Service
Matthew Peterson, Atlanta (GA) Police Department
Bobby Rader, Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Department
Chris Riccardi, US Customs & Border Protection Air & Marine Operations (CA)
Christopher Rivera, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Jamison Roberts, Department of Corrections (WA)
Antonio Rodriguez, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Dept. Aviation Unit
Steve Roy, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Anita Sandall, Eastside (WA) Fire & Rescue
Joshua Saran, Independent Member
Joe Schmit, Washington State Department of Transportation
Garrett Seddon, Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting
Matthew Sellers, Wayne County (NC) Sheriff's Office
Kevin Shaidle, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Jason Shirron, King County (WA) OEM
John Sweeney, NYC Department of Environmental Protection Police
Chris Tams, Washington State Department of Transportation
Oai Tang, Washington State Department of Transportation
Bruce Thielbar, San Bernardino County (CA) Sheriff's Dept. Aviation Unit
Eric Utigard, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Jay Vanderburgh, Peel Regional Police (ON)
Matthew Voytek, Ohio State Highway Patrol
John Wadsworth, Regina (SK) Police Service
Andy Warren, Virginia Beach (VA) Police Department Aviation Unit
Derian Williams, King County (WA) 4x4 Search and Rescue
Kristin Williams, King County (WA) 4x4 Search and Rescue
Rick Wyant, Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division