Mon, Nov 28, 2011
Will Use Assets Seized From Drug Arrests To Buy R44
The Fontana, CA City Council has approved the purchase of a
police version Robinson R-44 helicopter using assets siezed during
drug arrests. The council Tuesday night approved $415,000 for the
purchase of the aircraft, as well as $85,000 for the installation
of upgraded law enforcement equipment.
R44 Police Variant File Photo
The move was not without its detractors. The Redlands Daily
Facts reports that resident Craig Johnson spoke against using
seized assets to pay for the aircraft. "Nobody should profit from
crime," he told the council.
And the owner of the private company which has been the provider
of helicopter services to the police department for nine years said
the Fontana Police Department has underestimated the operating
costs of owning its own aircraft. "I could not operate for some of
the costs stated in that budget," Leo Bell, the owner of California
Aviation Services in Riverside, CA, told the council prior to the
vote.
Purchase of police aviation equipment is one of the approved
uses of seized drug assets, according to Police Chief Rodney Jones.
He told the paper he is hoping for participation from other nearby
departments, such as Colton and Rialto. He also said owning the
aircraft would make it easier for the department to obtain grants
that could offset some of the operating expenses.
Jones also said he hopes to be one of the initial customers for
the police version of Robinson's R66 turbine helicopter. That
aircraft would cost the city $1.1 million even after early-adopter
incentives are applied, but Jones said he hopes to again tap the
seized assets fund for a down payment on the more powerful, larger
aircraft, and then enter into a 15-year lease that would likely be
paid off in three years.
The departments current contract with California Aviation
Services is worth nearly $500,000 annually.
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