If you live in the city of Los Angeles, there’s a good chance that you’ve been awoken from a deep slumber by the incessant sound of an LAPD helicopter hovering above your bed. Helicopters, or “ghetto birds” as they’re sometimes called, have become a fixture of L.A. life, particularly for the city’s communities of color.
For years, Angelenos have asked questions about the LAPD’s infamous helicopter program and its effectiveness in deterring or stopping crimes. But they haven’t received many answers, until now.
On Monday, the Los Angeles City Controller's Office released its highly anticipated audit of the LAPD’s Air Support Division (ASD), after facing criticism from supporters who accused the newly elected progressive city controller of not living up to his campaign promise of holding LAPD accountable.
LAPD helicopters spend most of their time responding to non-high-priority incidents, that include shuttling passengers to an ASD sponsored annual chili luncheon and flying-by a golf tournament, according to the new audit.
Between the years 2018 and 2022, more than 60 percent of LAPD helicopter flight time was dedicated to “transportation flights, general patrol time, and ceremonial flights.” Versus just under 40 percent of flight time dedicated to felony crimes, such as murders or missing persons cases.