Flight Against Crime

Look out below. The Los Angeles Police Department has a new weapon: high-tech helicopters equipped with 30-million-candlepower searchlights, electronic maps, video cameras and an infrared system so sensitive it can spot a suspect hiding in a bush.

“It’s going to change the way we do police work from the air,” said Lt. Dwight Crosley, who works in the LAPD’s Air Support Division. “Hopefully, we will locate suspects faster and respond faster.”

The LAPD bought three of the new helicopters to replace three aging ones that were grounded two years ago due to safety concerns. The old helicopters have apparently logged more flight hours than any similar model in the world.

The three new choppers cost about $1.6 million each, and were purchased through a municipal bond program--largely at the urging of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Laura Chick.

“They’re absolutely key in arresting suspected criminals,” said Chick, who heads the council’s public safety committee.

The new Bell helicopters represent the latest in helicopter technology, aviation officials said. They are faster, safer and a bit quieter. “A definite improvement,” said Frank Jensen, president of the Helicopter Assn. International, an Alexandria, Virginia-based trade group.

Features of the new Bell 407 include a high-tech navigational system that will allow officers to toss the Thomas Guide street maps they have been using. “All the best 21st century crime fighting tools,” said Chick of the aircraft.

Included in the city’s new air arsenal are:

* Video recorders to record chases, evidence that can be used by prosecutors.

* A microwave system to transmit the video images to officers on the ground.

* The ability to communicate over any police or emergency radio frequency in the U.S.

* Electronic binoculars that will enable officers to read street addresses and license plates from the air.

* A 400-watt public address system and siren to communicate with residents or suspects on the ground.

The craft’s infrared device was tested on a recent night when an older LAPD chopper searched 15 minutes for a man hiding on the ground. The new helicopter, with heat-seeking capability, located the man almost immediately, an LAPD official said.

The Bell helicopters are also large enough to serve as aerial command posts. The choppers have two rear and three forward seats in the back, as well as two sets of electronic maps, binoculars and radios.

An aerial command post would be useful during riots or when dealing with heavily armed criminals, such as the case in the North Hollywood bank robbery earlier this year, police said.

The silver helicopters, decorated with blue stripes, will be added to the Air Support Division’s 16 patrol choppers and the Bell UH-1 helicopter used by the department’s SWAT officers.

The Air Support Division typically responds to more than 40,000 calls a year, including car and foot chases, robberies, burglaries and homicides, police said.

The department expects the helicopters will all be in use by summer’s end.

“They’re really slick,” said Crosley of the LAPD’s Air Support Division. “Better equipment will make the job easier.”

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High-Tech Helicopters

The Los Angeles Police Department purchased three Bell 407 helicopters specially equipped with high-tech equipment such as infrared search lamps and navigational tools. Shown below is the chopper’s capabilities:

* Crew capacity: 7

* Maximum altitude: 20,000 feet

* Dual communications package: allows police to communicate with virtually every public service agency in the U.S.

* Search light: 30 million candle-power light

* Infrared device: senses temperature differences in ground objects to allow crew to view suspects and criminal activity.

* Computerized map: uses Global Positioning System to locate service calls and pursuits.

Public address system:

* Video recorders: enables crew to record infrared and video information generated by on-board sensors.

* Binoculars: electrically driven, gyroscopically stabilized 12-power binoculars allow officers to read addresses, license plates and better observe activity on the ground.

Sources: LAPD; Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.