The tragic accident at the heliport on Saturday, Nov. 17, underscores why it is absolutely necessary that Pasadena reconsider the Police Department's policies regarding these aircraft.
This quote from the online article (“Six hurt as Pasadena police choppers collide,” pasadenasun.com) is telling: “One helicopter was assisting traffic officers as tens of thousands of fans departed the Rose Bowl after the UCLA-USC football game, [Pasadena Police Lt. Phlunte] Riddle said. The other was on routine patrol above Pasadena and other San Gabriel Valley cities.”
The first sentence describes exactly what helicopters should be used for. The second sentence describes exactly what they should not be used for. “Routine patrols” belong on the ground, not in the air.
When is the City Council going to accept that a great number of Pasadena citizens are very concerned about this issue? Every time it's brought up by citizens at council meetings, it is invariably ignored. Furthermore, Police Chief Sanchez has on more than one occasion promised open, public discussion of the issue. When will that promise be kept?
Daniel Molitor
Pasadena
This quote from the online article (“Six hurt as Pasadena police choppers collide,” pasadenasun.com) is telling: “One helicopter was assisting traffic officers as tens of thousands of fans departed the Rose Bowl after the UCLA-USC football game, [Pasadena Police Lt. Phlunte] Riddle said. The other was on routine patrol above Pasadena and other San Gabriel Valley cities.”
The first sentence describes exactly what helicopters should be used for. The second sentence describes exactly what they should not be used for. “Routine patrols” belong on the ground, not in the air.
When is the City Council going to accept that a great number of Pasadena citizens are very concerned about this issue? Every time it's brought up by citizens at council meetings, it is invariably ignored. Furthermore, Police Chief Sanchez has on more than one occasion promised open, public discussion of the issue. When will that promise be kept?
Daniel Molitor
Pasadena
