S.A.P.D. HELICOPTER 1 - 2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

EXHIBIT A Scope of Work Annual Accomplishment Goal I. Number of unduplicated Santa Ana residents to be served with grant funds during the 12- month contract period = 343~700 PERSONS II. Description of Work - in space below, describe the program to be funded during the 12-month contxact period including, services to be provided, program goals, client characteristics, & how grant funds will be utilized. The City of Santa Ana contracts for police helicopter service with Airborne Law Enforcement Services, a joint unit of the Costa Mesa and Newport Beach Police Departments. As part of this contract, the Santa Ana Police Department provides one full time pilot, who is now a Certified Flight Instructor, and a part-time tactical flight officer (observer) to the program. Having full and part-time staff members enhances the effectiveness of the helicopter program, as the officers are well informed about current crime trends in the City of Santa Ana. The goals of the program are to provide airborne law enforcement service to all residents of the city of Santa Ana from 9:30am until 3:00am seven days per week. Another goal is to enhance the safety of citizens through prompt service, and to enable officers to more safely perform their duties. The helicopter is equipped with a '~Nightsun" searchlight with 50 million candlepower. It assists the observer to see at night and illuminates the scene for officers, firefighters, and paramedics. The airship is also equipped with a Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) sensor, which enables the observer and pilot to see in total darkness, and a moving map system that uses the GPS system, making it easy to locate addresses in Santa Ana and cut down on response time. There is a color video camera and other technology that enhances and assists the efforts of officers in the air and on the ground. The helicopter monitors police frequencies and responds to felony and in progress calls where there is suspect information. It can cover a much wider area in less time than a ground unit and is often the first on scene at accidents and crimes in progress. This reduces the number of units required and makes the patrol force much more efficient. The helicopter crew sees areas that ground officers cannot, such as rooftops and back yards and is instrumental in safely guiding officers to the locations of suspects and other activities. In a vehicle pursuit, the helicopter broadcasts the direction of the fleeing vehicle, which allows ground units to slow down while the helicopter follows the suspects. The air crew will advise ground units of road and traffic hazards reducing the danger to officers and the public. In the year 2002 the helicopter responded to 2257 emergency calls for service and assisted in 340 arrests and 49 pursuits. It is anticipated that in the Fiscal year 2003-2004, the helicopter will meet or exceed the aforementioned level of activity. The helicopter is a valuable asset and versatile law enforcement tool available to the Santa Ana Police Department. It increases the effectiveness of ground units and provides enhanced safety to both officers and the residents of Santa Ana. The grant monies are used to pay the contract costs of $304,405, less our employee credit of $104,405 for the pilot. The balance of $200,000 is paid with CDBG funds at $16,666.00 per month, which equates to an hourly rate of $695.00. This is the actual cost of operating the helicopter. Exhibit A