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Sheriff’s Copters Will Be Grounded
January 22, 2009
New Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan will ground the department’s helicopter program as of March 1.
Citing budget problems, Morgan announced Wednesday that he would deactivate the air unit that has been in existence since 2001. The unit currently employees three pilots, three tactical flight officers, and an aviation logistics specialist. The three tactical flight officers are sworn deputies that will be rolled back into patrol units as manpower needs dictate.
Morgan has said that closing the department’s air unit will save his department about $800,000 per year. That includes salaries and costs like maintenance and fuel.
The air unit’s two military surplus OH-58 helicopters will be stored temporarily until futher budget determinations can be made.
The helicopter unit has been used numerous times in the North Escambia area over the past year. The helicopter has been used to search for robbery suspects, missing people and even used to track down a horse running wild and posing a traffic hazard in Century.
Comments
4 Responses to “Sheriff’s Copters Will Be Grounded”
TRIMMING THE FAT.ALL THE THUGS ARE ON THE GROUND ANYWAY.MAYBE THE COMMON SENSE CAN SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS OF COUNTY .GOVERNMENT.A.W.THOMPSON MOSQUITO FLATS FLA.
Ronnie’s toys have got to go……
I agree deputies are needed… but I also think totally shutting down the unit is a huge mistake. There could be guidelines put in place to restrict the use, perhaps rotating the choppers rather than utilizing them all at the same time. I have a feeling things are going to get interesting
Hard decisions have to be made on how to bring spending in line to match the fewer tax revenues that are available. Having an air unit is a plus, but can we really afford it? Helicopters are expensive to operate, and to make my point, just look around at other surrounding counties and cities. How many of them are operating helicopters? That’s right, none. I feel bad for the pilots that’ll lose their jobs, but what the sheriff’s office really needs is deputies.