Helicopter a huge help

Shirley Davis

Kim Palzes’ “Sounding Off” column was very interesting; however, she

was not thoroughly informed on the police calls and criminal activity

in this city. She said she reads the police blotters every week and

sees nothing that would warrant the use of helicopter. The police

blotter in your newspaper had 27 calls listed. However, the article

one page over from Kim’s letter did list several major incidents here

in town.

A 19-year-old died from head injuries as the result of a fight.

The next night, five people were stabbed on Main Street. The article

stated that these were the most violent, but fights are reported on a

regular basis.

This week, according to the article, a woman was shot in the leg

while driving in town.

This does not include all the vandalism, robberies, burglaries and

assaults that take place in Huntington Beach. Then there are traffic

accidents -- yes, we have way too many of those. The helicopter often

assists with those, either lighting up the area for ground units or

chasing a hit-and-run driver.

The Neighborhood Watch Newsletter reported that in April the

helicopter responded to 649 calls; in May, 655; and I read in another

publication that in June the helicopter responded to more than 800

calls (being first on the scene 98% of the time).

The Neighborhood Watch Newsletter also reported the following:

* There was a shooting near Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue. The

helicopter located the vehicle, and ground units arrested the

suspects.

* There was a domestic violence call -- a male was attacking a

female. The helicopter arrived and used the PA to halt the assault.

When the suspect tried to flee, they directed ground units to him,

and he was arrested.

* A suspect who was wanted for an attempted murder of a CHP

officer was confronted an fled. The helicopter, using its Forward

Looking Infrared system, located the suspect, who was in a wooded

area, and he was taken into custody by ground units.

* The helicopter has been responsible for many DUI arrests.

That’s just a few calls the helicopter responded to and was

instrumental in catching the “crook.”

Palzes did carry on a bit about the lack of fireworks on the

Fourth. She said it was “partly due to the fact that no one from the

city could be ‘bothered’ scouting a new location for its own

fireworks display.” I have one question for Kim: Did you volunteer

any time to search or scout for a new location? Did you call the city

to see if they could use your help in finding a new spot?

Enjoy your comfort living in one of the safest cities. Did you

ever stop to think that we have a safe city because we have dedicated

police officers and we have the “omnipresent” helicopters.

* SHIRLEY DAVIS is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute to

“Sounding Off” e-mail us at hbindy@latimes.com or fax us at (714)

965-7174.