AIRBORNE COPS EFFECTIVE AT NABBING THE BAD GUYS

From chasing stolen cars to discovering outdoor marijuana growing
operations, there's been no shortage of action for the operators of the
Abbotsford Police Department's new helicopter.

"It's been great so far," said volunteer operator Dean Russell, who, along
with Sgt. Daffydd Hermann, has been patrolling the air for the past month.

"I knew it would be successful because of the way it's worked in the
[U.S.], but I didn't realize all the different things we could be of
assistance with."

That's included busting several outdoor pot operations, helping with the
arrest of a motorcycle thief, and even removing three emus from Highway 1
by the Mount Lehman Road exit.

One of the latest incidents occurred June 9, when Russell and Hermann
received a call about an attempted American Express Card fraud. They were
above the suspects in about 20 seconds, and followed the black Chevy
Cavalier until the suspects ditched the car and ran toward an empty field.
Russell and Hermann cut the suspects off, and officers on the ground were
able to arrest the two men.

It turns out the car the suspects were driving was stolen, and police found
several stolen credit cards inside.

"We've instantly been happy and we're popular with the guys on the ground
because within 30 seconds to a minute we have cover for them," said
Russell, who owns the Robinson R44 Clipper and donates/operates it for the
police department.

"We can watch the whole scene and alert them to what's going on."

Added Hermann: "Our workload has been extraordinarily busy. It came as a
surprise to me."

Russell's helicopter cost about $500,000 and can fly up to 240 kilometres
an hour [but typically cruises at 204 km/h]. It is equipped with a standard
police radio, a public address system, a $12,000 GPS-based moving map and a
police dispatch computer.

"I think the word is getting out there that the helicopter's here," said
Hermann.

Russell and Hermann operate the helicopter on a rotating weekly schedule.
Right now the helicopter is a pilot project, and in September APD
management and the police board will discuss the pros and cons of it and
decide whether to continue.