Auditors From Local Consulting Firm Attempt To Shoot Down Austin Police Helicopter
May 5, 2008 by Dan Graham
The Statesman had an article today regarding a recent audit done by management consulting firm MGT of America. The firm, among other things, recommended the discontinuation of crime fighting copter ‘Air 1.’ Apparently flying a helicopter around is expensive.
Now I’m not going to bore you, or myself, with all the facts and figures, but I think we can all agree that there is simply no cost too high for the protection of our city and our citizens. According to the article, Air 1 responded to over 1,000 calls last year and had about 550 flights.
Sure the Austin Police Department underestimated the cost of each flight hour by a factor of 7 and 1/2 ($1000 vs $7500 actual), and sure the police officers themselves have named the helicopter ‘Air None’ because it never seems to be available when they need it. But just think how much cooler the police department is with a helicopter patrolling the skies.
I think that they just need to run the math again and they’ll realize that ‘Air None’ is a result of too few helicopters and that the inefficient use of fuel costs is due to lack of coordination in the air (Austin is a large city for just one helicopter). What we really need is about 12 more and the creation of a new Air Fleet Unit out there fighting for continued justice on the streets.
Common auditors, we all know that sometimes the best way to save a buck is to just buy 12 helicopters
The city only has one helicopter? It must be over my apartment nearly every night. I would have assumed they had a whole fleet, considering how often I hear helicopter noises.
Ground it. It co$t way too much, e$pecially for a city that is more concerned about it$ $tatu$ a$ a “green city” than protecting and $erving.
@McChris - I think there are several news helicopters as well. Are you doing anything newsworthy at your apartment?