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FLINT, MI — Flint police are hoping that the addition of a piloted helicopter can help them cut into rising violent crime in the city and better protect officers on the ground.
Police Chief Terence Green told members of the City Council Monday, July 12, he wants to adjust his budget to spend $304,050 for three months of helicopter coverage, a request the council sent back to a committee for further review.
“It’s for police officers to deter crime and … be a little bit more proactive and increase the visibility of the police department …,” Green said.
During the three months the program is in place, Green said the city can “monitor and evaluate before deciding whether to discontinue or try something more.”
The proposal would shift money from a liability account that had built up to more than $500,000 over several years, according to a staff review form provided to the council.
A contract for the service, which Green said would be based at Bishop Airport, would come to the council only if it makes the budget adjustment.
Council President Kate Fields said she supports the launch of the program, but voted with six other council members to postpone action on the plan.
3rd Ward Councilman Santino Guerra cast the lone vote against postponement, calling the potential addition “a great plan to help deter crime.”
Fields said her vote to delay the proposal was designed to keep it alive for a potential committee vote next week.
“People have been complaining ceaselessly about crime,” Fields said. “They want us to do something about it …. I don’t want (this) to fail.”
Had the council voted on the budget amendment Monday and failed to pass the measure, it would have been required by the city charter to wait at least 30 days until it could be reintroduced.
1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays said council should have added more money for police, included a bulked-up detective bureau, during budget hearings before adopting an overall spending plan for the city for the fiscal year that started July 1.
Mays criticized some fellow council members for supporting the helicopter program but failing to address broader funding for police earlier this year.
Crime has been a hot-button issue throughout this year in Flint.
Violent crime is up 4 percent in the city as of July 4 and homicides are up more than 30 percent compared to the same period in 2020.
The police department review of the budget amendment said the addition of the helicopter would provide backup to ground units on vehicle stops and ground pursuits, improve response times, provide widespread ability to monitor and disperse gang activity, and deter street narcotic sales.
“Suspects hiding in yards, on rooftops, in trees, or behind buildings and fences can be easily detected by a helicopter,” the review says. “Ground units can then be made aware of the suspect’s location and direct them.”
Read more on MLive:
Flint residents ask judge to reject $641-million water crisis settlement
Flint council considers police budget as violent crime continues to rise
Flint mayor’s proposed budget is balanced, but forecasts rough financial waters ahead
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