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LAPD helicopter tracker with real-time operating costs

(lapdhelicoptertracker.com)
100 points polalavik | 1 comments | 21 Nov 25 22:11 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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dsamarin ◴[21 Nov 25 22:34 UTC] No.46009837[source]▶
Would using drones nowadays end up being much less expensive but with all the same necessary capabilities for police work?
replies(1): >>46009886 #
analog31 ◴[21 Nov 25 22:40 UTC] No.46009886[source]▶
What are the necessary capabilities? My city has no helicopters or drones. There's a medical chopper that flies over my house regularly, but it has an obvious purpose.
replies(1): >>46009904 #
TOMDM ◴[21 Nov 25 22:41 UTC] No.46009904[source]▶
Being able to follow a car involved in a hit and run and intercept them when they stop without restoring to what could be a dangerous police chase.

Aerial surveillance has it's place.

replies(2): >>46009955 #>>46010141 #
1. asdff ◴[21 Nov 25 23:06 UTC] No.46010141[source]▶
Unfortunately standard practice for LAPD is to engage in a dangerous police chase along with the helicopter, not to simply follow with a helicopter.

They don't really use them for hit and run. How could they? Think about how fast that crime occurs and how much time will pass between that incident and vectoring a helicopter, which might be tied up on other work.

Less than 20% of hit and run cases are even solved in California (1). I'm sure the rate is even lower in a city like LA.

1. https://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/legal/opinion/dragged-and-...