Surveillance from above

Capt. Gary Walters looks over two LAPD helicopters being prepared for service on the department’s helipad in downtown Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

March 7, 2015 1:55 PM PT

The LAPD is pioneering the use of helicopters to fly over criminal ‘hot spots’ and stop crime before it starts.

An LAPD helicopter departs the agency’s air support unit in downtown Los Angeles in November. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A weather station is silhouetted at the LAPD’s air support unit, which has 17 helicopters in its fleet. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

LAPD tower operator Officer Ross Jester monitors helipad traffic at the department’s air support unit in November. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The LAPD has implemented its helicopter policing strategy in its Newton Division in South L.A. and its Devonshire Division in the San Fernando Valley. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Two LAPD helicopters are prepared for service at the air support unit in downtown Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

LAPD tower operator Officer Ross Jester monitors helipad traffic at the air support unit. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Officer Ross Jester monitors the traffic at the LAPD air support unit helipad in November. The LAPD is using the helicopters in a predictive policing strategy aimed at deterring crime. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)