COSTA MESA : Resident Wants to Scrap Copters, Add Ground Police

Upset that Costa Mesa has the highest crime rate in the county, as reported by the FBI, one resident has asked that the City Council consider nixing the helicopter program and adding more police officers.

“Let’s take some of the money and put it in the streets,” Bill Poulder, 72, told the City Council at its Monday meeting. “Let’s have more community policing. It’s happening all over the country.”

The helicopter program, in existence for 24 years, cost close to $1 million to run this year, according to the city’s budget. The maintenance and repair costs were $521,000. The aircraft insurance was listed at $84,200, and the rest of the money was for salaries of the five pilots and one helicopter police sergeant.

Some council members, however, downplayed the high crime rate, saying that Costa Mesa police officers have a high rate of response, making it appear as though there is more crime in the city because they are responding to more.

“If a bike or a plant are stolen, officers are usually sent out, because we feel it is important to get all the data,” Mayor Joe Erickson said.

Costa Mesa Capt. David Brooks, who directs the helicopter program, came to its defense, saying, “We already have community policing, and the helicopter program is working effectively.”

According to an FBI report released at the beginning of December, Costa Mesa, Stanton and Laguna Beach had the highest crime rates in the county, while Laguna Niguel, Yorba Linda and Laguna Hills were ranked as the safest.

“Obviously, we’d like to have no crime,” Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis said. “But the statistics can be misleading.”