Tulsa Mayor Goes For A Ride In Police Department Helicopter

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- With both of Tulsa's choppers back in the air, the mayor decided to take a spin around town to see them in action. 

A former helicopter pilot himself, Mayor Dewey Bartlett says he was surprised by all the tools at the Tulsa Police Department's disposal, like the infrared cameras.

"All the different gee whiz things that we see on television, well we have them in our own helicopters," said Mayor Bartlett.

The chopper is also equipped with spotlights and special cameras that help officers see what's going on, even in the dark.

Both helicopters were grounded because of budget cuts earlier this year. The first started flying again in July, then the city council discovered it would actually cost $40,000 less to fly both choppers compared to just one.

8/24/2010  Related Story: Second Police Helicopter Will Soon Be Flying Over Tulsa