Corona Police to Begin Testing Patrol Helicopter
The Police Department will begin using a helicopter this weekend in a monthlong experiment to analyze its efficiency in improving patrols and response times.
Hiser Aviation Helicopters, located at Corona Municipal Airport, is loaning the helicopter to the city at no charge, Corona Police Lt. Sam Spiegel said. Hiser Aviation officials said they hope that the city will decide the copter is worth keeping and establish a contract helicopter program with the company.
An earlier, two-day experiment with helicopter patrols indicated that the aircraft may help police to patrol construction sites, agricultural and open-space areas, and other places where ground access is difficult, Spiegel said.
The helicopter also may cut response times in half, contrasted with patrol cars, Spiegel said, enabling officers to reach most of the city within a minute and half of becoming airborne.
The air patrol will consist of Spiegel and a civilian pilot during the test, which police officials call ASAP--an acronym for Air Support Analysis Program.
Corona’s Fire, Planning, Public Works and Building departments will also have access to the helicopter, Spiegel said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
