New Crime-Fighting Tool Gives Tulsa Police Huge Advantage

A helicopter that you may have already noticed is the new crime-fighting tool for Tulsa police.

Between 800 and 1,000 feet above, two man crews are assigned to listen to police dispatch radios and patrol from the sky.

They said a bird's-eye view and new technology gives them a huge advantage fighting crime.

"You know we spot people stealing stuff, we spot people dumping equipment in fields. We spot lots of stolen vehicles,” said Sergeant Nick Cory.

When Tulsa police take to the sky Cory is in the pilot's seat. He said he is always looking to prevent crime or stop thieves in their tracks.

“Sometimes it might seem easier than it is, but it takes a lot of getting used to and a lot of training to be able to work all the equipment, know where you are up in the air,” Cory said.

Despite the challenges of crime fighting while flying, he said the training - coupled with the technology - is invaluable.

"We have an on board computer where we monitor the calls just like the patrol cars do,” he said. “Mostly suspicious activity, and when we go to assist on a call we help search either suspects, missing children, vehicle pursuits all kinds of stuff."

From the cockpit he can direct cops on the ground. They have infrared cameras that sense heat, making their surveillance high tech, and the GPS grid system can pinpoint individual houses.

Many times using the system can be the difference between a suspect getting away or going to jail.

The eyes in the sky don't come cheap.

"Fully equipped was about $2.8 million and we've got fuel, maintenance that we have to add up, so we have to make sure that we are efficient as we can and try to respect the taxpayers' dollars," Cory said.

The air unit is up every day, so you can expect helicopter response anywhere from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.