DALLAS The Dallas Police Department may soon be down to only two helicopters, a result of the city's budget crisis. That would give them one of the smallest fleets for any major U.S. city.
The department uses its helicopters for all kinds of assignments. They're used in police chases, criminal surveillance, dignitary protection (when the president is in town, for instance) and searching for suspects.
In 2007, the department acquired a top-of-the-line helicopter, the Bell 407, capable of carrying the SWAT team. But upkeep is so expensive, the cash-strapped city plans to sell it.
The fact that it is a financial strain, it's the right thing to do, said Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway. We are not completely without helicopters; we'll have to make this adjustment now.
The Bell 407 is coming up for maintenance and needs a new $100,000 engine. The city says that's too much.
Getting rid of the tactical chopper leaves the department with only two helicopters.
At this time we are not without helicopters. The SWAT team will still have their SWAT vehicles, and now some upgraded types of vehicles.
But sources within the department say losing a tactical chopper before a big event like Super Bowl XLV is a big problem. It could be used for possible evacuation of hostages, officers and firefighters if needed.
The Bell 407 can also carry two pilots and up to five passengers. The other two choppers can carry only a single passenger.
That is something that is worth a review, Caraway said. We will have to make sure we will have access should there be some need to have to secure people and lift them from a fire or something of that nature.
Other major cities have larger helicopter fleets. Phoenix has seven, Houston has 13 and San Antonio has five.
E-mail rlopez@wfaa.com
