Local News in Brief : Bradley OKs Police Copter
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Mayor Tom Bradley approved the purchase of a $1.5-million helicopter to serve as the Los Angeles Police Department’s “eye in the sky” in the fight against gang activity and drug sales, the mayor’s office said Thursday.
The high-tech helicopter, likened by one Bradley aide to the helicopter in the film “Blue Thunder,” will be used by the newly formed police Gang-Related Active Trafficker Suppression unit.
Police have said that it may take several months to buy and equip the helicopter, which will be added to the department’s fleet of about 15 craft.
Police have refused to discuss the helicopter’s detection equipment, claiming that gang members could use the information to avoid capture.
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