Council allocates money for SBPD chopper, for now
It's very likely that the Police Department will lose helicopter patrols at the end of June.
Tuesday, the City Council voted 5-1 to continue funding the city's helicopter contract with Riverside-based California Aviation Services until June 30, when the fiscal year comes to a close.
7th Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack, concerned about the cost of the chopper, cast the sole "no" vote.
The city is set to spend $278,000 on the helicopter over the remainder of the contract.
"It's unaffordable but we've come to the conclusion that we have no other alternative," interim City Manager Mark F. Weinberg said.
Weinberg has said the city faces a current fiscal year shortfall as high as $12 million.
In his request for council action, Weinberg recommended that the council allow the helicopter to expire at the end of the fiscal year and to reconsider to possibility of aerial patrols at a time when the city has more money.
SBPD's current helicopter contract began in 2006. Last year, the council voted to cancel the contract in an attempt to save money but quickly reversed that decision in order to avoid a possible lawsuit.
10 Comments
Leave a comment
About SB Now Blog
Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
GOOD FOR YOU Wendy McCammack!! There are city employees losing their jobs or possibly getting their pay cut, and the city council chooses to continue with the helicopter. They have the use of the Sheriff's Department helicopter, but would rather put out almost 300,000.00 to keep the one they are renting. How ridiculous is that! C'mon city council members, what are you thinking. Oh wait, you're not! You could care less about the employees or the families of those taking the hit for the economy!!!!
You are wrong. The helicopter actually adds to the productivity of the police department. The officers are much safer on the street (especially in pursuits) when the helicopter is on scene. We NEED a helicopter in this city. Take a look around the country. Nearly every agency with our size and crime problem has helicopters. The Sheriff's helicopter is for the COUNTY. The ENTIRE COUNTY, not just SB city. Get it straight; the sheriff's helicopter can definately help out, but they have far too many other areas to cover and they are so budget strapped that they are cut back. Why cant SB city just cut back on the helicopter but still have it available? This would be a far better solution then simply ending the program that has helped this city so much! SB city is not important nor a priority on the sheriff's list. We need our helicopter to stay in the air, and no one is losing their job because of it.
To Dedicated Police Officer:
You state "no one is losing their job because of it" - not true. Remember those layoffs during the summer - and civilian PD was affected by it but not the sworn officers. The city workers have had layoffs and those that remain are going to be asked to cut their pay. Yet the sworn officers haven't been affected - yet. Every time the city council asks the unions like FD and PD to help with there is no movement. When they start laying off sworn officers will your tune change? How about the top heavy org chart at PD - how many Assistant Chiefs, Captains, and Lieutenants does this city need?
Personally I think the helicopter is necessary but it's hard to justify it when city personnel are being shown the door. There is only so much money to go around and that amount keeps falling as more and more stores and car dealerships leave this sinking ship.
Wait til the Sheriff's department has to take over......
To Dedicated Police Officer-
I know "first hand" that the Sheriff's helicopter had done just fine for at least 25 years. Granted they are not always available, however they prioritize their responses. The city helicopter is only available to fly for 4-5 hours a night. How productive is that? The department still uses the Sheriff's helicopter until about 2 pm when the city helicopter comes on duty.
Well, "first hand"; yes the sheriff's have been operating for many years. They do a great job. The theory of them not being able to handle a city like SB has been proven. Ontario used the sheriffs for 20 years as well and then they needed more than the sheriff could offer. Fontana Police did the same. Corona PD used the sheriffs in Riverside. Many cities in LA county also used their sheriffs department helicopters. The point is; when a city reaches a certain point, they need their own helicopter. By the way, I think your sheriffs department is limited to 3 hours or less per shift right now! We get more than that in our city alone from our helicopter! Now, tell us that the sheriffs will patrol 4-5 hrs ONLY IN SB for FREE, and we would love to have that!
There is no way that the City of San Bernardino is going to be able to sustain the payments for the helicopter.
They just upped the cost of grafitti abatement from $600,000 to $1.2 million per year.
They are asking staff to take a pay-cut after already laying off staff last summer.
The Measure Z revenue is far less than anticipated.
It is a luxury item that the city isn't going to be able to afford. This isn't Corona or Ontario where property tax can help offset costs for these types of items.
Wait til they start laying off sworn officers (and it's only a matter of time)....then that cool toy won't be supported by the union or sworn officers.
Do you really think it's a toy? If so, then every high crime department operates toys. These are complex aircraft designed to surpress crime, and assist street officers and the public. The mis-concept is that helicopters are a "luxury". In this era, in this city especially, helicopters are an absolute necessity not a luxury. And yes, no one wants to be laid off. Has anyone thought about how many man hours are saved by the helicopter darting across town to save the street officers the time to check for something that is long gone? I'd rather have the helicopter on patrol catching graffiti artists instead of paying for new trucks to roam the streets looking for graffiti.
Are you serious? You think this Police Department does anything about "graffiti artists"? I've had one of "San Bernardino's finest" stand on my porch and tell me that he couldn't do anything since the "graffiti artist's" mother would yell at him if he went to their home regarding his flagrant disregard for the law.....yeah, sure the helicopter helps with that.....keep trying to justify that helicopter. I'd rather have those "boots on the streets" than the ghettobird flying the skys - just my opinion.
Well, I am one of the city's finest; I've never just stood on your porch; my boots have been on the streets many many years; and we need this helicopter. We don't need new trucks, and fluff the city council votes for. We need our own air support, and we have had it for several years and it operates at the lowest cost of any department in california. It's simply a necessity in this day and age.
Well, one of your co-workers did......I reported it to the Lt. and he said that is always two sides to a story.....until the officer confirmed my side of the story.
Cheap or not, this city can not afford the helicopter.
Do you live in San Bernardino? Because it's the property owner's tax dollars that are paying for this so I have a right to voice my opinion......are you helping to pay for it?
And I think those new trucks are a waste, they should have kept Los Padrinos.....