San Jose May Ground Police Helicopter To Save Money
SAN JOSE (KCBS) -- A proposal would ground the San Jose Police Department's helicopter for at least a year because of the city's $110 million budget deficit.
"With pension costs skyrocketing something has to give, and trying to maintain our emergency response and patrol is the highest priority, and the helicopter is just not quite as important," said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Police Officers' Association President George Beattie said that the mayor doesn't understand the importance of the helicopter.
"Let me tell you how important the helicopter is," said Beattie. "It aids us when we're trying to find missing persons, whether they're small children or elderly folks. It also helps our officers on the ground, especially during perimeter searches, where we are trying to find and apprehend people responsible for violent crimes such as robbery, murders and assaults."
Beattie said that the loss of the helicopter would compromise officer safety.
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