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Podcasts Take Two
How effective are police helicopters at fighting crime?
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May 23, 2013
Listen • 4:22
How effective are police helicopters at fighting crime?
The data show that police helicopters often are first on scene, provide backup, and deploy officers to surround crime scenes. But measuring their effectiveness is tricky.
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
An LAPD helicopter flies toward Downtown Los Angeles on December 19, 2012.
An LAPD helicopter flies toward Downtown Los Angeles on December 19, 2012.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Los Angeles police officer Greg MacDonald surveys the streets of West Hollywood during a call about a disturbance at a hospital below.
Los Angeles police office Greg MacDonald surveys the streets of West Hollywood during a call about a disturbance at a hospital below.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
The view towards Santa Monic from a shift with the Los Angeles Police Department's helicopter division.
The view towards Santa Monic from a shift with the Los Angeles Police Department's helicopter division.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
A police helicopter takes off from the Los Angeles Police Department helipad in Downtown. During the day, there is always one helicopter in the air patrolling the city skies.
A police helicopter takes off from the Los Angeles Police Department helipad in Downtown. During the day, there is always one helicopter in the air patrolling the city skies.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Lt. Phil Smith walks across the tarmac helicopter facility, the largest helicopter landing pad in the United States, on August 22.
Lt. Phil Smith walks across the tarmac helicopter facility, the largest helicopter landing pad in the United States, on August 22.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Lt. Phil Smith leads the helicopter division for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Lt. Phil Smith leads the helicopter division for the Los Angeles Police Department.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)

The data show that police helicopters often are first on scene, provide backup, and deploy officers to surround crime scenes. But measuring their effectiveness is tricky.

The LAPD has the country's largest fleet of helicopters with 17, with a total cost of nearly $20 million a year. KPCC's Erika Aguilar spent time learning how the fleet operates, and looked through LAPD statistics to find out how effective the helicopters are in fighting crime. Read more here.

RELATED: See part 1 of Erika Aguilar's series on police helicopters in Los Angeles

RELATED: See part 2 of Erika Aguilar's series on police helicopters in Los Angeles

RELATED: View a slideshow of the LAPD's helicopter fleet on AudioVision