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LAPD helicopter tracker with real-time operating costs

(lapdhelicoptertracker.com)
100 points polalavik | 10 comments | 21 Nov 25 22:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source | bottom
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BadBadJellyBean ◴[21 Nov 25 22:48 UTC] No.46009959[source]▶
I find it interesting that the question is "why don't they use drones". My question is: why so much air surveillance? I live in Germany. The only times I hear a helicopter is if someone is being rescued or if someones missing. I rarely see them at all.
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shoddydoordesk ◴[21 Nov 25 22:52 UTC] No.46009992[source]▶
There are high speed police chases (100mph+) in Los Angeles — no exaggeration — on an almost daily basis. Air support is the primary defense tool for law enforcement.

It's so bad that the local TV stations have their own choppers and a dedicated on-screen UI tailored for the chases with GPS-based tracking and speed.

If you're lucky you can catch one of the many YouTube live streams. Here's one from....two days ago: https://www.youtube.com/live/uGiJU-FlpdE

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stefan_ ◴[21 Nov 25 22:53 UTC] No.46010007[source]▶
I mean in most other places people have simply realized that unless there is an immediate risk to life, the only thing high speed police chases do is create that very risk.

Nicely contrasts with all the news about the omnipresent license plate scanners - it's just pointless, don't take the risk, arrest them at your leisure.

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1. shoddydoordesk ◴[21 Nov 25 23:07 UTC] No.46010150[source]▶
So your proposal is to just let the criminals run away? And that somehow won't embolden them further?

"Once this baby hits 88mph, we're home free!"

Air support is used to coordinate with law enforcement up ahead to deploy spikes to end the chase.

You are just repeating empty political talking points that simply don't work in the real world.

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2. bluedino ◴[21 Nov 25 23:13 UTC] No.46010201[source]▶
A lot of departments terminate chases very early
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3. shoddydoordesk ◴[21 Nov 25 23:17 UTC] No.46010244[source]▶
They could learn a few things from the Georgia State Patrol, the undisputed world champions of the PIT.
4. mapt ◴[21 Nov 25 23:20 UTC] No.46010263[source]▶
Basically, letting them run away and then setting up a raid at their house the next morning is safer for everyone. If you can follow them from altitude well enough to do that, you reduce risk dramatically relative to either interception or chase.

> They could learn a few things from the Georgia State Patrol, the undisputed world champions of the PIT.

Why not just open up on them with antitank weaponry? PIT maneuvers are extraordinarily dangerous, especially at high speeds.

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5. shoddydoordesk ◴[21 Nov 25 23:24 UTC] No.46010288[source]▶
Buddy, most of these are stolen cars. Do you think they are driving them home and parking it in the driveway?

If you are eluding the cops at 100mph you are a danger to the public, they are not going to let you go home.

>Why not just open up on them with antitank weaponry?

I've heard cops say something similar on body cam footage.

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6. ◴[21 Nov 25 23:43 UTC] No.46010458[source]▶
7. netsharc ◴[21 Nov 25 23:55 UTC] No.46010560{3}[source]▶
If they're eluding cops at 100mph and being a danger to the public, it's because they're being chased by cops...

But well, it's America, having the risk of a stray cop bullet hitting you because just like car chases, shootous are inevitable, makes it safer!

8. ◴[22 Nov 25 00:09 UTC] No.46010649{3}[source]▶
9. twelvedogs ◴[22 Nov 25 00:15 UTC] No.46010704[source]▶
just like so many things that work in every country but the US apparently
10. wredcoll ◴[22 Nov 25 01:14 UTC] No.46011109[source]▶
Why are you countering his political talking points with your own?