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APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to help keep you informed on the very latest information in the airborne law enforcement industry. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website. Marijuana Farms Found In Rural Texas
The DPS Aircraft Division was called in to assist in searching the area for suspects and to determine how large the entire growing operation actually was. The helicopter crew determined the suspects were no longer in the immediate area and determined the size of the operation. With the assistance of state and federal agents, the growing fields were dismantled and all of the marijuana plants were removed to a heavily guarded position a short distance away. Authorities said the street value of the marijuana was approximately $2.5 million. This was the second substantial marijuana growing operation to be dismantled by LCSO with a total street value close to $8 million. SOURCE: www.yourhoustonnews.com Georgia Unveils State's New Police Hangar Facility
SOURCE: George State Patrol Aviation Air Wing Started on Trial Basis in Australia
The helicopter will fly 20 hours a week for the first three months of the trial and corporate sponsorship is being sought to ensure that the agency can continue its flight time for the remainder of the trial. It will be used on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and it will be on standby other days on the week. "In the last 12 months, the Gold Coast has had its fair share of issues," Clarke said. “I hope this trial will be successful and show there is a great need for police helicopters around the state. SOURCE: www.mydailynews.com.au Shanghai Police Purchase Aircraft Equipped To Fight Fires
"There are more than 10,000 high-rise buildings in the Shanghai and we only have four helicopters. The demand is obvious," said Police Aviation Force Director Guo Yonghua. "Hong Kong police have nine helicopters and Tokyo police and fire department have 21. Shanghai's air support system still lags far behind." Police said the new helicopter could carry five tons of water and battle a fire from the air with its water canon. "The helicopter is also helpful in solving traffic congestion by lifting and removing broken-down vehicles from the street," Yonghua added. Air bases in the districts of Minhang, Jinshan, Pudong and Chongming should be in use by 2020 as well. SOURCE: www.shanghaidaily.com UK Agency States Effectiveness of Police Helicopter
Temporary Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer said, "The helicopter really is a vital tool in finding people quickly – this can either be vulnerable missing people or criminals who are captured and brought to justice. It also enables the force to make massive efficiency savings in terms of officer hours, which means that resources can be directed to where they are most needed." SOURCE: http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk Unmanned Police Drone Set to Launch in Texas
Gage said he is aware of some people's concerns about using UAVs. "No matter what we do in law enforcement, somebody's going to question it, but we're going to do the right thing, and I can assure you of that," he said. Sgt. Melvin Franklin, a licensed pilot, and Lt. Damon Hall, who heads the department's crime lab and crime scene unit, will operate ShadowHawk. The sheriff said Lt. Hall's SWAT team background would assist the department in using the new tool on hostage standoffs or active shooter events. SOURCE: http://www.examiner.com Nominations Open For APSA Board Positions
Nominations must be submitted by regular mail, facsimile or e-mail and be addressed to the APSA Secretary. Please ensure nominations indicate the name of nominee, the position for which the person is being nominated, and the person making the nomination. Both the person being nominated and the person making the nomination must be current members and in good standing in the APSA. Nominations must be received or postmarked on or before Dec. 15, 2011. The ballots will be distributed by mail on or about May 1, 2012 to members. The ballots will be counted during the 42nd Annual Conference & Exposition in Reno, NV, with the results announced at the General Membership Meeting on July 14, 2012. Send your nominations to: Airborne Public Safety Association, Attn: Secretary Gregg Weitzman, 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701, or via email to secretary@PublicSafetyAviation.org, or via fax to (301) 631-2466. Angola Police Create Regional Helicopter Bases
The first heliport will be built in Luanda, which is the capital and largest city in Angola in southwest Africa. In other provinces, negotiations are underway with the National Exploration Company of Airports and Air Navigation (ENANA) to grant the sites for the hangars and other infrastructure. Source: www.portalangop.co.ao Light Sport Aircraft Invaluable To Police Agency
Police pilot Larry Scharde said, "It is extremely important to us because Aiken County is so large; we are over 1,100 square miles, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island. We use it monitor perimeters when we have a fleeing felon, or the airplane assists the dog team when they are working," he explained. Source: www.wrdw.com APSA Corporate Member Retires
"It is without question that Aqua Lung's association with APSA, which began in 1999, helped focus and grow our company's business outside of the military market. The early days of grassroots work we did during the regional and annual conferences and the water survival sessions gave our company a real-time perspective of importance of the APSA organization and the role of its members. During this time, we have made two acquisitions that are totally focused on aviation life support products, Aerial Machine and Tool and XTREME ALSE, both APSA members. Both of these companies will carry the Aqua Lung flag and my passion for the APSA organization into the future," said Stancil. SOURCE: www.fastcompany.com Boater Saved By Quick Actions of Flight Crew
The victim was in clear jeopardy and hardly had the strength left to look up at the helicopter. In an attempt to prevent the victim from slipping under the water, the TFO threw him an aircrew life vest. It was left deflated so that it was less likely to be blown away from the prop wash and so the victim would be able to put it over his head with greater ease. The life vest landed at its mark, however after a couple failed attempts, the victim did not have the strength to pull it over his head. The TFO showed him how to inflate the vest and the victim managed to complete this task. He simply laid the vest on the bottom of the overturned boat and put his head back down on top. The EC135 pilot then attempted to utilize his prop wash to blow the boat and victim to shore, but this rescue method was abandoned as the progress was minimal and caused increase risk of the victim losing contact with the boat. The pilot put the helicopter into a hover just above the victim. The TFO, who was wearing a life vest, worked from the skid gear directly behind the pilot to make a first, but failed attempt at grabbing and lifting the victim onto the gear. The victim was too large a man and his clothing was saturated. On a second successful attempt, the TFO simply assisted the victim by pulling him up enough so he could grasp onto the skid gear with both hands. He also continued to clutch the life vest with one arm. The TFO then reached down under the victim's collar and got a solid grasp on his shirt and jacket. With the victim securely held by the TFO, Sgt. Mulligan slowly maneuvered towards the nearest shore with the victim half in and half out of the water. The shore was treed preventing close approach, but fortunately there was a semi-submerged rock with vegetation growing on it closer to shore that was large enough for the victim to be dragged onto. The TFO also exited onto the rock and then immediately assisted the victim into the hovering helicopter. The victim collapsed onto a seat in a semi-conscious state. He was drenched, cold to the touch, could hardly move and did not or could not speak for the entire trip in the helicopter. The TFO determined the victim required immediate medical attention so they flew him directly to the hospital. Usually, the helicopter lands on the base's helipad and the victim is transported to hospital by ambulance. This time, the person was transported directly to the doorstep of the hospital, landing at the corner of a busy intersection. "This is very rare," Constable Peter Leon said. "But given the circumstances, it was in the interest of saving a person's life." SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police Deputy Jumps Out of Helicopter to Apprehend Suspect The Fresno County (CA) Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit arrested a man after a lengthy pursuit that reached speeds of over 100 mph last month. The aircrew was responding to a call of a theft in progress. This same location recently had metal tanks taken. When deputies arrived at the scene, a 24-year-old man sped off in a pickup truck. He tried to run deputies off the road as he fled, and deputies pursued. During the pursuit, the man's truck struck a chain link fence, dragging a 25-foot section behind him as the pursuit continued. The pursuit lasted about ten minutes and covered more than ten miles. The pursuit finally ended when the man drove near the San Joaquin River and crashed his truck, then got out of the vehicle and started running towards the river bottom. As ground units closed in, the department's MD500 Eagle One dropped down to the river bottom where the tactical flight officer was able to jump to the ground, chase the man down, and take him into custody. He was arrested on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and felony evading. SOURCE: http://www.ksee24.com Pennsylvania State Police Reorganize Aviation Bases
Other units are based in Reading, Hazleton, Harrisburg, Latrobe, Franklin and Altoona. The Williamsport facility houses two aircraft: a fixed-wing airplane, which will be moved to the Harrisburg unit, and a helicopter, which will be moved to the Hazleton unit. The troopers who are assigned to the unit will be given a choice as to where they want to go after closure. No jobs will be lost. Each unit has its own patrol zone, which includes a number of counties within its zone, but no unit aircraft is restricted to one particular area and all aircraft fly routine patrols statewide. "The resources are still going to be there, just in different areas," police spokesman Maria Finn said. The Aviation Unit provides aerial support to all federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and also assists in non-emergency situations, including major civic and sporting events. Pilots log thousands of hours of flight time each year on missions such as search and rescues, vehicle pursuits, criminal surveillance, marijuana eradication, crime and traffic scene photography and transports. SOURCE: www.sungazette.com Los Angeles Suburb Buys Fixed-Wing Aircraft
When a 911 call comes in, the location of a suspected crime will be relayed to the aircraft, which will then fly to the scene and begin recording. The project, dubbed the Law Enforcement Aerial Platform System, or LEAPS, will cost $1.3 million to launch and, thereafter, cost the city about $90,000 a month to maintain and operate. SOURCE: http://www.wired.com Arlington Opts For Battery-Operated Aerial System
The devices automatically return to their starting point if they lose communication with their remote control. During testing, Arlington's flight area is restricted to secured, city-owned land. Arlington plans to seek FAA authorization to use the aircraft next year on real missions such as search and rescue or surveillance. SOURCE: www.star-telegram.com Plans Being Made To Cover Entire Canada Border by UAS Flights The U. S. Department of Homeland Security plans to fly sensor-mounted unmanned aircraft along a greater expanse of the 5,500-mile border with Canada to spot illegal activity, DHS officials told members of Congress last month. Along the rugged northern border, remotely controlled planes are better than ground patrols or piloted aircraft at detecting drug smugglers and potential terrorists, according to federal officials. With a Certification of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), "We now have the ability to operate them on the northern border between Spokane, WA and Minnesota," said John S. Beutlich, Director of the Northern Region of the U. S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine Operations. "We are actively working with the FAA to bridge that gap that is between the eastern edge of the current Certificate of Authorization area in Minnesota down to the area in New York," where DHS also has limited unmanned flight operations, Beutlich said. "This is a very heavily air-trafficked area when you consider the amount of commercial aviation. So we're working with the FAA, because of the safety concerns that we have to have for the general aviation airspace, to make that happen." SOURCE: http://www.uasvision.com Start Year Off With Safety Education in Savannah, GA
The seminar location is the Hyatt Regency Savannah Hotel and rooms are discounted to $119 per night if booked by December 30. Check for more details athttp://archives.alea.org/events/detail.aspx?i=122&p=1&d=01/10/2012 or contact Southeast Region Director Kevin Vislocky at kvislocky@PublicSafetyAviation.org. |
A second pot farm within two weeks was discovered by Liberty County (TX) Sheriff's Office last month. Deputies and state troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) were called to the area where this illegal operation was reported to be. The terrain was very difficult to traverse and was heavily wooded, accessible by foot or ATV only. In some places, even the ATVs had to stop and deputies had to cut their way through the weeds to reach the marijuana growing operation. Upon reaching the operation, deputies discovered three large marijuana growing patches where over 1,000 stalks were found as well as tents and covered living areas. There were large water resources with pumps to irrigate the growing operation.
Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit Director Billy Smith cut the ribbon to officially open the department's new hangar at the Reidsville Municipal Airport last month when state and local officials attended the open house and dedication. The new hangar is one of six hangars that the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit has throughout the state to house 14 helicopters. The new 10,000 square foot hangar is equipped with offices and pilot rest areas. It is also the state's center for emergency response and hurricane evacuation.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) in Australia started operation last month of its first police helicopter to test on a six-month trial basis. Mayor Ron Clarke, who worked hard to get the Bell 206L aircraft, said, "Funding a trial police air wing is a first of any local government in the country. The helicopter will transform police operational capability on the Gold Coast and become an effective and indispensable tool for combating crime in our region."
Shanghai (China) Municipal Public Security Bureau Police Aviation Force plans to increase its police helicopter presence in the next decade to meet the demand of patrol, first aid and firefighting on high-rise buildings. The city currently has four choppers in service and 15 helicopters are planned to be in place by 2020, the agency reported last month. The first new helicopter is a Russian-made Ka-32 fire helicopter that should be delivered in early 2012.
Cleveland Police Authority hailed their force's helicopter after it responded to 632 incidents and helped to make 129 arrests in just three months. Cleveland Police Authority chairman Peter Race said, "The figures certainly demonstrate just how important air support now is in tackling crime, catching offenders and protecting life and limb. What's more, it is extremely cost effective." He explained that just between July and September 2011, the use of the aircraft resulted in the equivalent of 170,315 officer hours being saved across the force.
The Montgomery County (TX) Sheriff's Office (MCSO) paid $300,000 in federal homeland security grant money last month for the purchase of an unmanned aircraft called ShadowHawk. "To be in on the ground floor of this is pretty exciting for us here in Montgomery County," Sheriff Tommy Gage said. He said the UAV could be used in hunting criminals who are running from police or assessing a scene where SWAT team officers are facing an active shooter.
Be a part of APSA's Board of Directors. The nomination period for APSA elected offices to serve for the term of July 2012 through July 2014 are open now until December 15, 2011. The following offices will be open for nomination: Vice President, Secretary, Eastern Region Director, Northeast Region Director, and Western Region Director. Region directors shall be elected by members residing in that region, and the director must reside in the region he or she is elected to represent.
Regional fleets of helicopters of the Angola National Police Force Helicopter Unit will soon be created in the provinces of Lunda Sul, Huambo and Huila in order to improve the strategy to fight crime. Commissioner general Ambrósio de Lemos released the information at the end of a ceremony to introduce 13 pilots of the national police helicopter squadron who returned from training in Brazil. During the last two years, Angola has bought 18 new AS350 helicopters.
"It is an extra pair of eyes in the sky that can see more than any ground unit has the capability of seeing," said Troy Elwell of the Aiken County (SC) Sheriff's Office (ACSO), talking about the department's Sky Arrow 600 light sport aircraft. ACSO has used this small aircraft since 2007 with neighboring Richmond and Columbia Counties through a grant from the Texas Sheriff's Association. Last month, however, ACSO took full possession of the aircraft.
Dave Stancil of Aqua Lung, a longtime corporate member of APSA, is retiring at the end of 2011. Stancil has been with the company for 25 years and has been a smiling face at APSA's regional safety seminars and annual conferences for years.
Last month, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Aviation Services pilot Sgt. Dan Mulligan and Tactical Flight Officer Ted Smith responded to an emergency call to assist an overturned hypothermic boater. The Canadian helicopter crew arrived on scene on the relatively remote lake with limited road access. The 32-year-old victim, who was not wearing a life vest, was quickly located in the water clinging to his small overturned aluminum boat approximately 500 feet from the nearest shore. The victim's panicked brother was standing on the south shore and no emergency personnel had arrived at the immediate scene.
The Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Unit will close its base at the Williamsport Regional Airport on January 31, 2012, and is moving its aircraft to other locations. The closure is an attempt to maximize state police resources.
The City of Lancaster, CA approved a resolution last month for the purchase of Cessna 172 aircraft equipped with infrared imaging, video camera and microwave downlink system. Instead of being deployed only in response to specific incidents or needs, the plane will be dispatched for general-purpose surveillance, starting in May 2012.
The Arlington (TX) Police Department got approval last month from its city council to spend just over $202,000 from a federal grant to buy two small unmanned aircraft. Arlington is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U. S. Department of Justice Department in a national evaluation program to help develop training and equipment standards for agencies that use alternative aircraft to fight crime. Arlington police tested a few unmanned aircraft systems this year and favored the 11-pound, 58-inch battery-operated helicopter called the Leptron Avenger, which can fly up to 40 mph, take high-resolution video and photos, and can carry night vision cameras or thermal imaging equipment.
After the holidays, plan to attend APSA's Southeast Region Safety Seminar to be held in Savannah, GA. Hosted by the Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department Aviation Unit on January 10-12, 2012, you will learn about tactical video downlink, flight risk assessments, emergency response plans, saving your unit through marketing, TFO selection, night vision goggle techniques, and more. A unit commander's forum will take place, as well as workshops for pilots and TFOs.
