RON DAVIS -- Through My Eyes

It’s easy to sensationalize something, even though you’re telling the

truth.

As an example, most people are aware that Huntington Beach is in

difficult financial straits. I’m not the only one talking about it. The

Los Angeles Times did a lengthy piece on the subject just last weekend.

So, in view of that, what would you say if I told you that the

Huntington Beach City Council, by a vote of five to two, just approved

the expenditure of over $1.1 million to buy another police helicopter?

Not upset yet? What if I told you that with the purchase of this

helicopter, our police will have a fleet of three choppers? And what if I

told you that we only have one chopper in the air at any given time?

Sound’s pretty extravagant, doesn’t it?

Huntington Beach has used helicopters for police work for more than 30

years. In fact, we were the first department in Orange County to use

them, and only the fifth department nationwide. The benefits of using

helicopters for police work ought to be pretty obvious. Huntington Beach

consists of about 28 square miles, and that’s a considerable area to

patrol. A helicopter can travel from one end of the city to the other in

less than two minutes. That allows the police to provide greater public

safety, while at the same time reducing the number of patrol units. In

fact, Huntington Beach has one of the lowest officer-to-population ratios

in the state.

But, while you may be persuaded that using helicopters for police work

makes sense, you might be wondering why a city would buy three, when they

generally only use one at a time. And, you might wonder why a city would

bite this bullet under our current fiscal constraints.

Looking at the price of this new helicopter without understanding the

source of the funds is misleading. If we had to write a check for $1.1

million for a third helicopter out of the general fund, I’d have to think

long and hard on the subject. But, all but about $220,000 comes from

money specifically dedicated to either a police use or equipment

replacement. In this case, the helicopter that our department is

replacing is 16 years old.

But, a skeptical mind should wonder whether the department really

needs three helicopters, when only one flies at a time. And whether, the

money ought to be spent for another police purpose.

Frankly, I’m not comfortable telling the police professionals that

they should buy one thing versus another. In the case of the Huntington

Beach Police Department, they have a pretty consistent history of getting

public safety right. If you don’t believe me, wander down to department

headquarters and inspect all of the safest city awards we’ve won.

But why three choppers when only one flies at a time?

Helicopters are not like your 1997 Toyota or your 1999 Chevrolet, with

every conceivable part at the dealership. Obviously, when a part requires

replacement on a chopper, the chopper is off the line pending repair.

That means that repairs have to be accomplished quickly, but not

necessarily economically, since no department wants to risk not having

proper coverage. A third helicopter, not only provides backup in the

event of some catastrophic event, but also enables the department to

repair a helicopter without being under the gun.

I happen to believe our City Council made a wise decision, under very

difficult circumstances, with regard to this purchase.

These kinds of decisions are tough enough, without facts being

sensationalized by omission. So, whether you agree or disagree with the

decision, you’ll at least have a few more facts to consider -- a few

facts to keep you from flying by the seat of your pants.

*RON DAVIS is a private attorney who lives in Huntington Beach. He can

be reached by e-mail at o7 [email protected]