Council OKs Money for Extra Airborne Freeway Surveillance

Taking aim at Southern California’s recent rash of roadway gunfire, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved $90,000 in overtime money for extra police helicopter surveillance during a three-month trial.

In a related action, the council also called for state legislation that would make it illegal for people to brandish toy or replica firearms from a vehicle. The action follows the county Board of Supervisors’ approval of an ordinance Tuesday making it a crime for people to use real-looking guns in a threatening manner anywhere in unincorporated county territory.

Councilman Richard Alatorre, chairman of the Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee, said later that he will propose a similar ordinance for the city next week.

The city measures passed Wednesday on a 12-0 vote are expected to be approved by Mayor Tom Bradley. In an earlier press conference, the mayor called for more helicopter surveillance.

In a report to council members, Alatorre said that police helicopters had contributed to the arrest of roadway-shooting suspects in recent weeks.

Although the majority of the shooting incidents have occurred on freeways, the Los Angeles Police Department, not the California Highway Patrol, has investigative responsibility in the city.

The $30,000-a-month allocation would be used to deploy a helicopter manned by two officers for an extra four hours a day. The deployment period would be determined by am analysis of reported shooting incidents. A rigid maintenance program limits the number of overtime hours helicopters are available, Alatorre said.

In addition, the money would also provide for 185 hours a month of follow-up investigation into incidents of roadway violence.

The city’s cost--a diversion of money from police overtime accounts--could be recouped if pending state legislation is passed that would provide $100,000 a month a for six months for the Los Angeles police to combat traffic assaults.

Extra Patrols

If the state funding is received, Alatorre said, the amount of extra helicopter surveillance would remain the same, while follow-up investigation would be increased by assigning two detectives full time. In addition, $59,000 would be spent on extra motorcycle patrols--enough to deploy 14 officers for four hours a day.

The council also endorsed several other measures intended to curtail roadway violence, including acceleration of a planned Caltrans camera network for freeway surveillance and improved driver education. The council also appealed to the media to “exercise appropriate restraint” in reporting motorist-involved shooting incidents.