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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.

Last Week to Register for APSCON & APSCON Unmanned 2023 in Orlando

APSA’s annual conferences, APSCON 2023 and APSCON Unmanned, start in a little over a week. Have you registered yet? Our 52nd annual conference & exposition will take place July 17-22 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. No matter what type of aircraft you operate, attendees will have access to variety of classes, courses and networking opportunities, as well as a shared exhibit hall full of products, services, avionics and aircraft that are unique to public safety aviation. 

Instructed by subject matter experts, there is a great education lineup for APSCON 2023 and APSCON Unmanned including airborne thermography, aerial tactics, unit management, flight safety, maintenance and mission techniques. Or, you could learn more about risk management, communications, human performance, safety management systems, leadership skills or pick from the over 40 classes, roundtables and Tech Talks offered during conference week.

APSCON’s exhibit hall is a great place to check out the latest, cutting-edge technology while networking with your peers and friends. APSA’s corporate members will display a variety of aircraft, tactical gear, lighting, thermal imagers, electronics, specialty products and showcase their services while creating an exceptional learning environment in one central location. And don't forget the outstanding social and networking events sponsored by our generous corporate supporters including Bell Textron, Trakka Systems, Teledyne FLIR, MD Helicopters, Airbus and many others.  

Visit with old friends, make new ones and soak up the educational sunshine this month in Orlando. If you haven’t registered, don’t delay, more details can be found here. Hope to see you there! 

August 30 – September 1: APSA Safety Seminar in Palm Desert, CA

On the heels of APSCON 2022 on the east coast, APSA brings our training and networking out west.  Join us at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA, August 30 – September 1, for our first Safety Seminar in the Western Region in four years.  Registration is open via the APSA website, sign up here.

APSA Safety Seminars are offered free of charge as a benefit of membership to all active Individual members (a fee applies for non-members) and cover a wide range of topics through informative training classes as well as roundtable discussions. Enjoy an opportunity to participate in top-notch training, see the industry’s latest products and technology displayed in the exhibit area, and network with your public safety aviation peers. 

The deadline for making your hotel reservation at APSA’s discounted rate of $169 per night is August 8, 2023.  Don’t delay, make your reservation today! 

Check the APSA website regularly for the latest information on this and other APSA training events.   

 

Colorado Strengthens Laws for Suspects Who Point Lasers at Aircraft

As a result of several years of concern about the dangerous trend of pointing lasers at aircraft, Colorado has strengthened its laws with SB 23-095. As of July 1, if someone points a laser at a plane or other aircraft, they face up to five years in federal prison, as well as between one year and 18 months in state prison. 

The new Colorado law makes lasing an aircraft a felony and will add to the existing federal law against pointing lasers at aircraft. But local law enforcement are often the ones going after people who do it, not the Federal Bureau of Investigation, so having state law in place will allow them to do more than simply take away the lasers. Offenders will now face the potential of fines and jail time with the offense becoming a Class 6 felony in Colorado.

Pilots from commercial aircraft, medical helicopters and police helicopters are all hoping for more enforcement to reduce incidents and dangers. For instance, Flight For Life pilot Mark Burrows keeps a database of laser incidents involving their aircraft; there have been 30 or 40 over the past two years. "It {the database} tells us certain times of day where it's happening, when it's happening, and if it's happening from a certain spot all the time. We can help law enforcement narrow down when, what time of the day, who might be doing it {aiming the laser}," Burrows said. "We had one of our crewmembers lose one-third of their vision and can't fly anymore," he continued.

Lasers are not prohibited in the U.S. but there are companies manufacturing devices powerful enough to point and circle stars. Some incidents involving aircraft likely have been in error, but Burrows says when they track and continue to interfere, it's more insidious. 

Source: cbsnews.com

 

Aircrew and Ground Units Save Woman Kidnapped at Gunpoint

The Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff’s Office released video from its Air Support Unit helicopter and body camera footage of deputies arresting a man accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint. 

The suspect forced entry into the 30-year-old victim’s home. The victim ran with her children to a neighbor’s house, but the suspect followed, according to Sgt. Erich Layton. The suspect pistol-whipped one of the victim’s children with what later was determined to be a replica handgun, according to a statement. He then forced his ex-girlfriend into his vehicle at gunpoint.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle. Multiple deputies, including those in the Air Support Unit, began searching for it. The aircrew spotted the vehicle traveling south at high speed and ground units responded. The suspect stopped the car when he reached barricades at the Hills Ferry Bridge, which was closed due to construction. The suspect and victim exited the vehicle and the suspect then ran to the victim and grabbed her as she tried to get away.

Deputies arrived within seconds and instructed the suspect to release the victim and surrender. After about a minute, he let her go and put his hands in the air. Deputies detained the 22-year-old man, and he was booked on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence, child endangerment, burglary, criminal threats and brandishing a replica firearm.

Source: news.yahoo.com
 

APSA’s Hybrid Remote Pilot-in-Command Course

APSA is pleased to offer a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course in a new hybrid format.  This course consists of an approximately 16-hour online, self-paced portion followed by a 4-hour live online review, Q&A and test preparation session. This RPIC course is designed to provide students with a review of the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification Process and prepare students to pass the FAA Pilot’s Exam without the added expense of travel. Success requires completion of both the self-paced portion and participation in the live online session. 
  
We have two more of these courses scheduled during 2023. Registration deadline is September 1st for the next class, with the live session scheduled for September 29th, allowing you four (4) weeks to complete the self-paced online portion. Register here for this course.

Registration deadline for the final Hybrid RPIC Course of 2023 is October 20th with the live session scheduled for November 17th, again allowing four (4) weeks to complete the self-paced online portion. Click here to register for this course.
 

Advanced & Confined UAS Training: September in Ft. Wayne, IN

APSA offers three proctor courses based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sUAS Test Methods: Basic, Advanced and Confined. These test methods can be used to evaluate sUAS capabilities and sensor systems, remote pilot proficiency and credentialing. Attendees to these courses must be experienced sUAS pilots who want to hone their skills, evaluate sensor systems and/or have a desire to train and evaluate other sUAS pilots. 

The Advanced Course covers the Open and Obstructed Test Lanes. The Open Test Lanes evaluate 5 different flight paths (Position, Traverse, Orbit, Inspect, Recon) to identify objects from safe altitudes in open environments. These tests are scalable for all sizes of aircraft to demonstrate positive control at all times with accurate perches. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting and weather. The Obstructed Test Lanes enable remote pilots to fly safe and repeatable flight paths to inspect objects within close proximity to obstructions. They include a comprehensive set of 5 different tests with increasing difficulty (Perch, Wall, Ground, Alley, Post) that guide remote pilots through a series of 10 positions, orientations, and perches within both the standard test lanes and the operational scenarios embedded with scoring tasks. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting, weather, and access to the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upcoming courses include:

• September 20-22, 2023 in Fort Wayne, IN.

The Confined Course covers the Confined Test Lanes, which enable remote pilots to fly safe and repeatable flight paths to inspect objects within confined environments and interior room-to-room searches. They include a comprehensive set of 5 different tests with increasing difficulty (Perch, Wall, Ground, Alley, Post) that guide remote pilots through a series of 10 positions, orientations, and perches within both the standard test lanes and the operational scenarios embedded with scoring tasks. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting, weather, and access to the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upcoming courses include:The Confined Course covers the Confined Test Lanes, which enable remote pilots to fly safe and repeatable flight paths to inspect objects within confined environments and interior room-to-room searches. They include a comprehensive set of 5 different tests with increasing difficulty (Perch, Wall, Ground, Alley, Post) that guide remote pilots through a series of 10 positions, orientations, and perches within both the standard test lanes and the operational scenarios embedded with scoring tasks. They can be performed outdoors or indoors to control lighting, weather, and access to the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upcoming courses include:

• September 18-19, 2023 in Fort Wayne, IN.

​​​​If your agency is interested in hosting any of these courses and receiving a free set of NIST sUAS Test Methods apparatus along with complimentary registration, contact APSA Training Program Manager Terry Palmer. 

 

Add to Calendar: Join APSA’s Online Special Meeting Groups

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR, natural resource, and UAS operators that you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. To facilitate this, the UAS, Safety Officer and Maintenance Technician Meeting Groups meet once every two months, and the SAR Personnel and Natural Resources Meeting Groups meet quarterly.

These meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to tpalmer@publicsafetyaviation.org. 

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:

UAS: Wednesday, July 12, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)
Safety Officers: Friday, July 28, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
SAR: Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
Maintenance: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
Natural Resources: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 pm EDT (1700 UTC)

Visit this link for the schedule of future online meetings.
https://publicsafetyaviation.org/apsa-online-meeting-group-schedule 
 

Illinois Expands Use of Police Surveillance Drones

A new law signed by the governor of Illinois last month expands the authority that local police departments have to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, inspect buildings and participate in public relations events.

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police supported the measure and will offer training on the new law to police departments. Under the new law, drones may only be used at outdoor, government-hosted events. These include events such as parades, walks, races, concerts or food festivals. These events must meet minimum size requirements depending on the size of the municipality in which they are hosted in order for police to use drones.

The law also allows police to use drones when responding to 911 calls to find victims, to assist with health or safety needs or to coordinate emergency personnel. The information collected using drones, which could include video, images, sounds or other data, may only be stored temporarily and must be deleted within 24 hours after a parade or other special event and within 30 days for most other uses. There are some exceptions where police may retain that information, such as if there is reasonable suspicion that the information contains evidence of criminal activity, if the information is relevant to an ongoing investigation or if it will be used for future training.

The law also explicitly bans police from equipping drones with weapons, such as firearms, chemical irritants or lasers. The law also places significant restrictions on the use of facial recognition technology in conjunction with drones, barring police from using it during a flight and only allowing it to counter the high risk of a terrorist incident based on U.S. Department of Homeland Security intelligence or to prevent “imminent harm to life or to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence.”

Source: news.wttw.com
 

Lost Hikers Found by Sheriff’s Drone Team

A pair of lost hikers in New York’s Dutchess County have a drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera to thank for their swift rescue. A man and woman in their 20s placed a 911 call after getting lost on a hiking trail on Stissing Mountain. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, ATV Unit, and UAS Drone Unit responded to the scene. A drone was sent up over the 590-acre wooded area and the lost hikers were located within 90 minutes approximately 4,000 feet into the woods from their vehicle.

Capt. Todd Grieb credits the use of their drone with the speedy location of the lost hikers. “Without that, we would’ve been moving around in the dark yelling or doing our typical grid search to be able to locate these folks,” Grieb said.

“Search and rescue teams’ adoption of drone technology is a straight up no brainer at this point. They are getting cheaper and easier to use every year and we hope that every SAR team will soon have one in their tool kit,” Grieb remarked. “Don’t love aspects about drones flooding our skies but we can all agree their use for backcountry rescue is a positive,” he said.

“I will use every resource available to serve the residents of Dutchess County. Our Drone Unit utilizes cutting-edge technology, which not that long ago was only possible with helicopters. This technology enhances public safety and saves taxpayers a tremendous amount of money. I commend my deputies and could not be prouder of their excellent police work and swift response in locating these two lost hikers,”
said Sheriff Kirk Imperati.

Source: unofficialnetworks.com

 

Upcoming APSA Safety Stand-Tos

APSA conducts virtual Safety Stand-Tos online as well as in-person Safety Stand-Tos on an on-request basis for members at their facilities. Safety Stand-To are open to both APSA members and non-members. In order to participate, however, you must register online. 

VIRTUAL | Canadian | September 28, 2023

VIRTUAL | Natural Resources | October 26, 2023

IN-PERSON | Spokane County, WA | November 14-15, 2023 – Save the Date; More Info Coming Soon!

To schedule an in-person Safety Stand-To in your area, please contact APSA Training Program Manager Terry Palmer at tpalmer@publicsafetyaviation.org or 301-631-2406.
 

Asheville Police and Fire Departments Launch Joint Drone Unit

The Asheville (NC) Police Department and Asheville Fire Department launched a joint Drone Unit on June 12, which will be used to respond to certain emergency situations. 

The departments have initiated a DFR, or Drone as First Responder, program that launches from the city's municipal building and will run two days a week for four to six hours. There are two drones within the unit, one used by each department. APD’s drone will aid in search and rescue operations, traffic management and crime scene investigations. The fire department, which started a drone program in October, uses its drone mainly for search and rescue, body recovery and in the aftermath of a fire to determine burn patterns.

The DFR location was chosen due to data that shows 62% of calls for service in the city of Asheville not initiated by an officer happen in a 3-mile radius of the building, police Capt. Brandon Moore said. "That helps us in the instance of getting to a scene quicker and being able to, at times, relocate resources that don't need to go to this call and/or send additional units," Moore said. "So, the drone has been extremely proficient at getting overhead, some instances in less than 30 seconds, and providing live feedback."

Source: citizen-times.com
 

American UAS Manufacturer Secures BVLOS Approval for Remote Drone Operations in Japan

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has granted U.S. drone manufacturer Skydio an unprecedented, nationwide approval to remotely fly drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Representing one of the most advanced regulatory approvals in the world, the approval enables streamlined BVLOS operations using Skydio Dock and Remote Ops. Whether someone is monitoring complex infrastructure, inspecting a security perimeter, or assessing a site following a natural disaster, Skydio’s artificial intelligence and autonomous technology allows drones to safely fly missions in close proximity to structures in a way that would be difficult or impossible with manual drones, even when operated remotely without a pilot on-site.

Under the JCAB approval, there is no requirement to use additional crew members (such as visual observers) or technology to detect crewed aircraft, eliminating some of the greatest challenges faced by drone operators. The approval is not location or time specific; it applies across Japan, with limited exceptions. Notification of the flight area is required prior to takeoff using JCAB’s web portal. Operators can now remotely inspect critical infrastructure—buildings, roads, power plants and the scenes of natural disasters—safely and quickly without placing people at risk.

“This waiver represents a landmark moment for the drone industry, and is a reflection of regulators responding to the advances in AI and autonomy that are already defining the next chapter in drones and delivering enormous value for organizations,” said Adam Bry, CEO at Skydio. 

Source: Skydio
 

Proactive Observations by FL Aircrew Prevented Home Invasion

A Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Aviation Unit helicopter helped deputies chasing down four suspects wanted for attempting an "ambush-style home invasion" in a community outside Tampa. 

Two subjects threw a brick at a house door and crouched at the corners of the residence, waiting for someone to exit. While that was happening, one person served as a lookout at a home across the street, while one stayed in the car, the department said in a statement. "When no one answered, the subjects fled, committing multiple traffic violations while leaving the area," police added. "Patrol units initiated a traffic stop, but the driver refused to comply. While fleeing, the vehicle struck a curb and all occupants fled on foot." 

Video from the HCSO helicopter shows one of the suspects tripping and falling on the ground while trying to run away from responding officers. "Somebody threw something over the wall, they are trying to climb the wall here," one of the flight officers said. 

HCSO said during the pursuit the individuals discarded three firearms, which later were recovered.  The suspects, ages 18-21, were tracked down and they each are facing charges of throwing a deadly missile, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and resist without violence. One of the four also faces charges of aggravated fleeing to elude and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. 

"The proactive observations made by our patrol and Aviation Unit prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating further," Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "The recovery of multiple firearms further emphasizes our prioritization of the safety and well-being of our community."  

Source: foxnews.com
 

Officers Help Elderly Man With Assistance from Sheriff’s Aircrew

Two Port St. Lucie police officers rescued an 87-year-old man from a canal bank as his vehicle was about to roll over on top of him, the St. Lucie County (FL) Sheriff's Office helicopter video shows.

"He was telling his daughter that he was in the water somewhere," K9 Officer Cory Krecic said. The police officers said the man's cellphone calls offered a general area where he was. With the help of a St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office helicopter, police found him in the Veranda Falls area, east of Florida's Turnpike. Krecic and Officer Carson Perkins spotted the tilting car and then raced to pull the man up and away from the vehicle.

“He was sitting, actually, right underneath it and it was moving a little bit, so even the air unit was able to see that it looked like the vehicle was going to roll," Krecic said. "So, we quickly jumped down there." Perkins said the man was "cooperative" but disoriented. 

Source: wptv.com
 

New Jersey Police Helicopter Rescues Two Firefighters from River

New Jersey State Police (NJSP) rescued a group of firefighters from the Passaic River after they had ventured into the current to help three people. Clifton Fire Chief Frank Prezioso said that firefighters went out onto the river to rescue three people that were already in the river. He went on to say that the boat got caught in the current and went over the nearby Dundee Dam. One of the three firefighters jumped from the boat before it went over while two “rode it down.”

The three firefighters had to be pulled from the water, two by a NJSP Aviation Unit helicopter. The aircrew lowered a first responder to pick up the two men, one at a time and carry them to the safety. The rescue took multiple passes during which the rescuer swung closer and closer to the stranded firefighters as winds whipped in the area. You can watch here.

A NJSP spokesperson shared that Lieutenant Rick Villa, Sergeant First Class Jason Jorgensen, Sergeant Andrew Stephanic, Trooper I Stephen Brown and flight nurse Burke Barnett of Aviation North, along with Trooper II Shamik Songui of T.E.A.M.S. North rescued members of the Clifton Fire Department from the Passaic River.

Source: New Jersey State Police and www.northjersey.com

 

Video: Drunk Florida Man Passes Out While Driving Boat, Narrowly Misses Swimmers

An impaired boater was arrested after a Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office Flight Unit helicopter caught his vessel making its way toward a public swimming beach while he appeared unconscious and slumped over at the helm.

The incident occurred last month in the waters near Madeira Beach. A PCSO aircrew located the boat, and when two PCSO boats arrived, the driver of the boat was conscious, but was disoriented and showed signs of impairment. A passenger also was “unresponsive” on the deck of the boat. PCSO spokesperson Sgt. Amanda Sinni said in a post on the agency’s Facebook page that the boater was arrested and charged with Boating Under the Influence. Watch here.

A deputy also asked the boater where he parked. “The Alafia River off 41,” the man says, referring to the river that runs through a neighboring county miles away. “The Alafia River? Do you know where you are now?” the deputy responds. The man was taken to shore, where he performed poorly on field sobriety tests, and arrested.

Source: tampabaytimes.com
 

MSP Pilot Explains to Reporter How Lasers Can Disorient Aircrews

During a training mission on May 24, Michigan State Police pilot Sergeant Cole Martin was flying Trooper 2 when the cockpit suddenly filled with a green tinted light from below. “As it hits our cockpit windshield, it illuminates the entire cockpit and under either night vision goggles or the naked eye, it can be blinding for a temporary time,” Martin told a local news outlet in a recent interview over Zoom.

Another night brought another dangerous flash from a handheld laser pointer. It’s happening more and more these days — ten times since Martin became a flying trooper and his third this year. “We were over in Grand Rapids a couple of weeks ago and somebody got us again, so, it just never ends,” said a frustrated Martin.

As the light floods the cockpit, it can be disorienting, especially during takeoff and landings, where margins for error narrow. “There’s a lot going on in those phases of flight. And any little distraction could potentially overwhelm the crew. Again, nobody wants to see a tragedy like that,” said Martin. “We carry over 100 gallons of Jet A when we first leave the airport, and if that happens over an urban area and we get into an unrecoverable incident, it could not only hurt us, it could hurt many families on the ground,” he continued.

Federal Aviation Administration records show there were 9,458 laser incidents reported last year. This year, over 2,500 were reported as of March 30. Martin doesn’t know why people shine lasers at helicopters, but he has a few ideas. “Ignorance seems to be the best answer at this point,” he said. “Maybe boredom during our time everybody was home. I really can’t explain it. I would love to have an answer and be able to stop it though … that’s for sure.”

Source: www.woodtv.com
 

Topeka Police Aircrew Remembered, Helicopter Crashed 23 Years Ago

Last month, the Topeka (KS) Police Department remembered the aircrew of officers Charles “Joey” Bohlender and Jeff Howey who died when their helicopter crashed while they were responding to a burglary on June 13, 2000.

Both officers were responding to a burglary alarm at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in west Topeka around midnight, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. As other officers were searching the building, Bohlender and Howey were circling above when their helicopter suddenly went into a spiral and crashed in a nearby field. The helicopter, a 1994 Schweizer 300 C, had approximately 5,600 hours of flying time. The burglary alarm was later determined to be false.

The TPD said Bohlender was a nine-year veteran of the TPD and was survived by his wife and three children. Howey had served with the TPD for eight years and was survived by his wife and two daughters. “We thank Officers Bohlender and Howey for their service, and we continue to honor them and their families for their sacrifice,” TPD said in a statement.

Source: ksnt.com and odmp.org

 

Sweden Police Credit Helicopter and Crew for Success

The Swedish National Police (SNP) Air Unit has completed over 4,500 missions, and they credit the stability and readiness of the agency’s Bell 429. Search and rescue efforts in the mountainous region of the country account for nearly 500 missing persons cases due to avalanches and hiking accidents throughout the terrain.

“With the Bell 429, we can perform advanced missions that give us increased visibility to respond to a variety of public safety missions. Not only can we perform more missions using the Bell 429, but we can also complete them quickly and safely,” said Officer Lindell, SNP Flight Operations Manager. 

The Bell 429’s engine power and speed of up to 155 knots allows the Air Unit to quickly arrive at their destination without compromising the smoothness of the flight. The aircraft also possess the ability to hover at low speeds, allowing the SNP to capture surveillance footage and to scan the scene for missing persons and fleeing criminals, minimizing the manpower needed to search on ground.

“With the Bell 429, we save a lot of time and save a lot of lives… it’s a great multi-mission helicopter,” said SNP Officer Pilot Ramström. “Being able to customize the interior based on our different missions provides us with the flexibility needed to accommodate varying missions.” 

Source: Bell Textron
 

Prince George’s County Police Launch Illegal Street Racing Initiative

On June 23, the Prince George’s County (MD) Police Department (PGPD) kicked off a new initiative to address illegal pop-up car events that have been occurring in the county. These events have attracted participants from all over the region as well as surrounding states. Participants block roadways, take over parking lots and drive recklessly causing property damage, creating a hazardous situation for drivers, spectators and innocent bystanders. Crowds gather to surround the event attempting to prevent officers from taking enforcement action. More than 150 people have been in attendance at these illegal events.

On June 24 at approximately 10:00 p.m., officers from the PGPD, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police dispersed a large gathering in a parking lot. Three arrests were made. They also aimed a laser beam at a police helicopter that was at the scene collecting video evidence. 

PGPD stands firmly against illegal and dangerous pop-up car events. Investigators from the department’s Homeland Security Division will review video evidence collected from officer’s mobile video equipment, surrounding surveillance cameras, and the police helicopter to identify vehicles or individuals who participated in this event. Then, insurance companies may receive letters from the police department notifying them that the vehicle insured under their policy was involved in illegal street demonstration activity.

Source: smnewsnet.com
 

Connecticut Police Arrests Three Street Racing Drivers in One Night

With help from the FBI, drones and a police plane, Connecticut State Police arrested three drivers who had been involved in illegal street racing last month, including a man and a woman who were speeding neck and neck at more than 120 mph. 

One arrest involved a man who was caught racing a Honda Civic with what appeared to be drag-racing-style parachute on the back, state police said. The white Honda didn’t have a license plate and was spotted drag racing about 11:30 p.m. It had "what appeared to be a drag chute attached to the rear of the vehicle," police said in a news release. Troopers conducted a traffic stop after the Civic was loaded onto a flatbed trailer pulled by a pickup truck. The 43-year-old driver was arrested on 10 charges, including racing, reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment and other traffic offenses, state police said. 

A few hours after that arrest, about 1:40 a.m., investigators spotted two cars, a Toyota Camry and a Hyundai Veloster Turbo, speeding west, one next to the other, on Interstate 84. The vehicles accelerated and continued traveling side by side at speeds in excess of 120 mph, police said. Troopers were able to pull the cars over and arrested the drivers.  A 38-year-old man and 23-year-old woman were charged with racing, reckless driving and first-degree reckless endangerment. 

These arrests are the latest in a string of successful efforts by troopers to stop or prevent street takeovers and illegal street racing. Connecticut State Police have been working closely with other agencies after a raucous street takeover on May 21 in Tolland.  In that incident, a woman’s car was surrounded by an angry mob who blocked the street and nearby highway ramps to perform stunts. The woman got out of her car and appeared in videos to be pleading with the group to allow her to pass through the area. The rioters kicked her car and even climbed onto its roof, jumping up and down, inches above the head of her husband in the passenger seat, video showed. 

Source: ctinsider.com
 

Minnesota's Only Air Rescue Team Gets $18M for Equipment & Training

From a raging river to the top of a wind turbine, rescuing someone from such a precarious spot takes highly skilled people. In Minnesota, those people are part of the Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART). It's a cooperative effort between the Minnesota State Patrol Aviation Division and the Saint Paul Fire Department Advanced Technical Rescue Team. MART was launched in 2011 and is the only rescue group of its kind in the upper Midwest. MART averages 60 rescues a year from forests along the northern border to window washers and families stuck on snow-packed hiking trails. The elite group trains about three times a month. 

The training, equipment and fuel cost about $317,000 a year, which is funded through a grant. This year, however, Minnesota State Patrol was provided $18 million when the state’s governor signed the transportation bill into law. The new funding will pay for four new pilot positions, an airplane and a helicopter that can hoist people, rather than just lift them free. "That will expand our capabilities into nighttime rescues which will really add to our repertoire," said MSP Pilot Jim Englin. "You just do one rescue and you realize it's all worth it." Englin said it will be about two years before the new helicopter is in service and rescuers are trained to use it. 

Source: www.kare11.com
 

Missing Canadian Woman Rescued by RCMP Helicopter

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) helicopter team rescued a 78-year-old woman who was missing for four days north of Calgary. In a media release, RCMP said that following days of searching, crews found her in a heavily wooded area near the Dickson Trout Pond on a steep embankment. 

Special Const. Al Miller, who flew the rescue helicopter, said she was identified as best as possible from the air. "We do a lot of this, and so any time we find somebody, it's certainly a happy feeling, that's for sure," Miller said. "I can't tell you what a great feeling it is to see the look on the family members' faces when you bring their missing one back. So that was a great result. Fantastic day." He said the rescue was a "toe-in," which meant just one of the helicopter's skids was in contact with the ground.

Miller said an assessment made by crews and paramedics on the ground determined the woman couldn't be walked out. Carrying her out was precarious as well due to the area's steep slope. Tactical flight officer Cpl. Kaylin Makeechak, who helped coordinate between Miller and the ground crew, spotted her in a bush on the cliffside. He said she was holding on to a branch on a slope. "She's conscious and alert and obviously confused because she had been missing for days," he said.
 

Source: cbc.ca
 

Albuquerque Police Video Shows ATV Wheelies, Reckless Driving Arrest

Video footage from an Albuquerque (NM) Police Department helicopter shows an ATV driver and two people on motorcycles running through street intersections near the University of New Mexico last month. 

A police vehicle tried to pull over the ATV driver, following the vehicle with emergency lights flashing. The ATV eventually crashed and police helicopter video shows the driver then abandoning the ATV and hopping on the back of one of the motorcycles. Police later arrested the 31-year-old driver. He was charged with multiple crimes, including reckless driving and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer.

Source: www.krqe.com
 

FL Man Points Laser at Police Helicopter, Sheriff Warns Public

A 34-year-old man was arrested last month after he pointed a laser at St. Lucie County (FL) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit helicopter. Investigators said the helicopter was struck multiple times by a green laser beam, causing the aircrew temporary flash blindness. You can watch here. 

The aircrew worked with the Port St. Lucie Police Department to identify and track the suspect's vehicle. Officers arrived and arrested him on felony charges for the misuse of a laser lighting device, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

"It is extremely important for the public to know that it is a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. Doing so triggers temporary blindness and could have deadly consequences for the crew and the public and cause catastrophic damage to the aircraft and any structure within its path," Sheriff Ken Mascara said. "Thanks to our Aviation Unit’s calm demeanor and professionalism, they were able to quickly guide road units to the suspect vehicle to make an arrest. We are grateful no one was injured in this incident."

Source: www.wptv.com

Wilmington Police Host Annual Public Event Showing Specialty Units

The Wilmington (NC) Police Department held its annual Demo Day at their headquarters last month. At the event, they displayed their helicopter and drones as well as the agency’s bomb squad and SWAT teams. Some of the younger attendees were part of the Cop Camp Program, which gives children the chance to interact and learn more about their local police department.

April McKeithan is the police department’s administrative program manager, and enjoys this day for more reason than one. “As a mom, I really enjoy giving back to the kids, all their personalities, and just kind of showing them an option for a career one day. It’s a cool opportunity for them to see what we do and maybe give them a glimpse to maybe become officers one day.”

Source: wwaytv3.com
 

Get Published: Share Your Story With Members in Air Beat

Most articles you read in APSA’s Air Beat magazine come from members like you. With the help of our editorial staff, it’s easy to spotlight the great work of your aviation unit with an article in Air Beat. (It’s our editor’s job to make you look good, so don’t worry if you’re not a writer.) Editorial topics include safety, equipment/training, maintenance, tactics and more. Our editorial team is always looking for public safety agencies that want to highlight their aviation unit or members who want to share their knowledge, so please reach out.

Whether your missions involve law enforcement, emergency medical transport, natural resource conservation, firefighting, or search and rescue, or if you operate helicopters, fixed-wing or unmanned platforms, we would love to hear from you and be able to spotlight your agency in Air Beat this year. Email us at airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org for information.


 

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA’s networking, education and training opportunities are unique and specialized for public safety aviation. Let your colleagues and friends know about APSA. Thank you for your membership and helping APSA continue to grow. We would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during June 2023: 

Corporate Members:

AXON Air
PREO ISR LLC
Fulcrum concepts LLC

Individual Members:

David Baker, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team
George Baker, Office of Insurance Commissioner
Brian Barbour, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Eric Bavaro, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Kristy Boyles, Richland County (SC) Sheriff's Department
Rob Branch, Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Mike Broderick, Rotor Doc, LLC
David Brooks, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept.
Ron Buzzetto, Pasco (FL) Sheriff's Office | Land O' Lakes
Tanner Cus, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Ian Day, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office
Alan Dennis, Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire
Donald Easterday, Cirrus Aircraft | SLCRS
Jeff Flohr, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office | Air Support Unit
Michael Galvin, V2X
Michael Gamez, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Robert Haas, Indian River County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Koby Hamill, King County (WA) Sheriff's Office | Air Support Unit
Christopher Hinson, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team
Aaron Howell, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Kennedy Jacobson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Sauls Josh, Kachemak Bay Flying Service
Seunku Kim, Delaware State Police | Aviation Section - North Unit
Joshua Korte, Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Geonhyeong Lee, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
David Lichtenberger, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office
Dylan Lischau, Jefferson County (TX) Sheriff's Office
Nickolas Littlefield, Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Justine Matthews, Maryland State Police (Retired)
Joshua Morgan, Charlotte County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Anthony Morisset, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
John Moss, Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff's Department | Air Support Unit
Sean Murphy, Orange County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit
Larry Paul, Florida Forest Service
Daniel Pruitt, Austin (TX) Police Department | Air Support Unit
Calvin Rachel, Birmingham Police Department-AL
Matthew Rael, Bernalillo County (NM) Sheriff's Office | Metro Air
Derrick Rahming, Florida Highway Patrol | Headquarters (Tallahassee)
Miguel Reyes, Miami-Dade (FL) Police Department | Doral
Jason Robbins, Orange County Sheriffs Office
Mesidor Roody, Police
Jeremy Sanchez, Bernalillo County (NM) Sheriff's Office | Metro Air
Glenn Scudder, East Bridgewater CERT
Mark Steen, PHI Aviation
Jason Stribling, Gwinnett Arson
Nicholas Tems, Charlotte County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Casey Tholborn, Contra Costa County Sheriff
Edward Truitt, MOTF-1
Antonio Villalobos, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
Harold Whapeles, Spokane County (WA) Sheriff's Office | Spokane Valley
Jeremias Wilkinson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
David Willover, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department
Paul Wright, Polk County (FL) Sheriff's Office | Aviation Unit

If you know of other public safety aviators or industry-related companies that could benefit by becoming APSA members, please share this link and help our association grow! 

Get Your Organization's News Online

Send your press releases, company logos and photos to:

Lisa Wright
Editorial Director
airbeat@PublicSafetyAviation.org

Join Our Mailing List

APSA's Monthly E-Newsletters are designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry. Our E-Newsletters are distributed by email, as an additional benefit to our membership. To join our mailing list, you must be a member. If you are not a member of APSA, sign up today!

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This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. APSA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in public safety and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety operations.

© Copyright 2023 by the Airborne Public Safety Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), its Board of Directors, staff or membership; nor shall their publication imply endorsement on the part of APSA of any content or claims made therein. APSA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and makes no judgment regarding the accuracy of posted information. In no event will APSA be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the publication or any subsequent public distribution thereof.

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