To Fly or Not to Fly

Airborne law enforcement in Los Angeles County dates back to near the turn of the century; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department put officers in the sky as far back as the 1920s when they patrolled with a squadron of airplanes flown by volunteers. The Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department both began to use helicopters for patrol in the mid-1950s. Here is a list of how cities in the San Gabriel Valley stand on aerial police patrols:

ALHAMBRA: Studying the idea of police helicopters. Costs prohibitive right now.

ARCADIA: No plans to put officers in the air because of costs.

AZUSA: No plans to put officers in the air.

BALDWIN PARK: Began aerial patrols in June 1994 on a 10-hour-a-week basis following the example of El Monte. The department is renting a two-seat Robinson R-22 for about $78,000 a year.

CLAREMONT: No plans to go aerial. Assisted by the Pomona P.D. helicopter.

COVINA: Studying the idea of police helicopters. Costs prohibitive at this time.

EL MONTE: Began aerial patrols in September 1993 on a 10-hour-a-week basis. The department is renting a two-seat Robinson R-22 for about $78,000 a year.

GLENDORA: Considering the idea of sharing a helicopter with Baldwin Park.

IRWINDALE: Considering sharing a helicopter with Baldwin Park.

LA VERNE: No plans to put officers in the air. Costs prohibitive.

MONROVIA: No plans to put officers in the air. Costs prohibitive.

MONTEREY PARK: Studying the idea.

PASADENA: Flying since 1969. Pasadena’s five choppers frequently assist departments across the San Gabriel Valley.

POMONA: Airborne since 1969, reduced from three craft to one in mid-1980s because of budget cutbacks.

SAN GABRIEL: No plans to put officers in the air. Assisted by Sheriff’s Department helicopter as needed.

SAN MARINO: No plans to put officers in the air. Often assisted by neighboring Pasadena.

SIERRA MADRE: No plans to put officers in the air. City is only 3 square miles in area and is assisted by Pasadena and the Sheriff’s Department.

SOUTH EL MONTE: Patrolled by El Monte helicopter.

SOUTH PASADENA: Pasadena aircraft patrol when needed.

WEST COVINA: No plans to put officers in the air.

BRADBURY, CITY OF INDUSTRY, DIAMOND BAR, DUARTE, LA PUENTE, ROSEMEAD, SAN DIMAS, TEMPLE CITY and WALNUT are served by Sheriff’s Department helicopters. All cities in the San Gabriel Valley do have access to helicopters in emergencies, either through agreements with neighboring cities or through a mutual aid pact with the Sheriff’s Department.