Getting Answers : What Is Role of Helicopters?

JULIET LEWIS, Los Angeles

Every few nights I am awakened by helicopters circling the neighborhood where I live near Wilshire and La Brea. Most nights they circle for an hour or longer, shining bright lights down and into our windows. I imagine these helicopters serve some law-enforcement function, and it worries me that they may be searching for fugitives right outside my front door. I tried calling the Police Department, but nobody was willing to explain what those helicopters are actually doing. I would greatly appreciate an explanation.

DAVID J. GASCON, Commanding officer, LAPD Community Affairs

WILLIE L. WILLIAMS, Los Angeles Police Chief

The Los Angeles Police Department serves a city of approximately 3.5 million people in an area of 467 square miles, with the smallest number of police per capita of any major city in the country. As you may well imagine, this puts a severe strain on the patrol force in terms of responding to the approximately 16,000 calls for service that the LAPD receives each day. Residents have a right to expect a rapid response to their emergency calls and the LAPD Air Support Division and its fleet of 17 helicopters play an integral part in that effort.

While the helicopters and their crews do not themselves land and conduct investigations, they are in an ideal position to direct officers on the ground. This capability is very important when officers are attempting to contain suspects in a particular area, or when they need to rapidly check neighborhoods (back yards, etc.) for suspects. When police helicopters are overhead, it is safest to stay inside until they move away or broadcast directions from a loudspeaker. The primary concern of all police personnel is the safety of the public, particularly when officers become involved in vehicle pursuits. Air units advise officers on the ground regarding the fleeing suspects’ direction of travel and potential traffic hazards.

When not responding to calls to assist ground units, LAPD helicopters look for signs of trouble or even fires, calling police or fire department ground units as needed.