Plan for police helicopter in doubt

Winnipeg won't have a police helicopter without additional funding from the province, Mayor Sam Katz said Friday.

The province promised $1.3 million a year in operating costs for the chopper but will not cover inflationary costs.

Without inflationary costs covered, the project will not go forward, Katz said at a news conference Friday with police chief Keith McCaskill.

"[The province is] stepping up to the plate. They aren't just going the distance that is required at this stage in the game," he said.

'[The province is] stepping up to the plate. They aren't just going the distance that is required at this stage in the game.' Mayor Sam Katz

On Dec. 15, city council agreed to make $3.5 million available to buy the chopper, but only if the province paid for the operating and annual inflationary expenses of roughly two per cent or $25,000.

Katzplanned to callPremier Greg Selinger Friday afternoon to set up a meeting so that a deal can be worked out to get the project started this summer.

It will take about four months to get the chopper in the air once all funding is worked out.

"I do not believe this is over. I believe individuals can sit down and work things out but I prefer doing this face to face," Katz said.

A spokesperson from Selinger's office, however, said the premier would be unable to meet with Katz Friday.

But Justice Minister Andrew Swansaidin these tough economic times, the province won't budge on what it is offering. The city needs to go back to the drawing board and make their $1.3 million a year work, he said.

Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen criticized the government for not providing the extra cash.

Theprovince promised a police chopper in it's throne speech and should deliver on that. Tereshould not be a squabble over $25,000a year, he said.

Chopper will save lives

Police say the helicopter will save lives and reduce costs to the police service.

With the helicopter in operation, cruiser cars will have the ability to reduce their high risk driving, states a report released last month.

"Responding units may be directed to slow down, thereby reducing the risk of injury and damage to both police and citizens," the report states.

The helicopter will speed up police response times and reduce the number of patrol cars at calls where vehicles are currently used to block off areas during investigations, according to the report.

That will also save money because damage to marked cruiser cars cost the service more than $400,000 in 2008. That damage is often caused when police are forced to engage suspects in high-speed pursuits.

The helicopter would be in service for about 80 hours a week and be equipped with a thermal imaging camera to track suspects from the air by the heat signatures they give off, as well as a spotlight to illuminate areas from above to aid officers conducting searches on the ground.