Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Good Heavens! What's next?

The first question I asked myself was just how many high-speed chases occur in Fayette County annually? Are there enough of them to justify spending an amount between $50,000 and $327,000 for maintenance of a helicopter? What was the purchase price of the helicopter? What is the list price for this exact model, and how much did the Sheriff's Department save by acting precipitously? Who will be flying the helicopter? How many hours do they have? What sort of experience? Combat, police work, recreational?

Secondarily, aren't we hoping to reduce the number of high-speed chases after that horrible disaster in Peachtree City last month? Does a helicopter reduce the risk of injury or shorten the duration of high-speed chases? Does it increase the safety of the citizens? Will good judgment be exercised in its use?

As for eradicating marijuana from the county, is the Sheriff's Department planning to use the helicopter to find fields growing within our county, or to provide air support during arrests? Perhaps it will discourage wrongdoers from jumping in their cars and driving away rapidly when they see the blue lights approaching their residences. Perhaps a Sheriff's helicopter will scare them all enough to move to another community and take their criminal ways with them.

This hasty purchase has that feel of "Ooh, a new gadget and a bargain too!" I hope the commissioners ask some very serious questions that go beyond how much it costs to operate a helicopter to measuring the real benefits to the citizens of the county.

If the benefits are clearly demonstrated, keep the helicopter, and pay for the upkeep. But if not, please paste a "For Sale" sign on that thing and get our money back. And don't send good money after bad.

Mary Barranti

Peachtree City