Listen LiveNo matter where you are or what device you use to listen to KPCC, we've got you covered.
News and culture through the lens of Southern California.
Hosted by A Martínez
Airs Weekdays 2 to 3 p.m.

How effective are police helicopters at fighting crime?

Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Grant Slater/KPCC
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
An LAPD helicopter flies toward Downtown Los Angeles on December 19, 2012.
Grant Slater/KPCC
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Los Angeles police office Greg MacDonald surveys the streets of West Hollywood during a call about a disturbance at a hospital below.
Grant Slater/KPCC
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
The view towards Santa Monic from a shift with the Los Angeles Police Department's helicopter division.
Grant Slater/KPCC
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
A police helicopter takes off from the Los Angeles Police Department helipad in Downtown. During the day, there is always one helicopter in the air patrolling the city skies.
Grant Slater/KPCC
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Lt. Phil Smith walks across the tarmac helicopter facility, the largest helicopter landing pad in the United States, on August 22.
Grant Slater/KPCC
Tactical officer Greg MacDonald points his pilot Kevin Cook toward a spot to check as calls come in from LAPD dispatch.
Lt. Phil Smith leads the helicopter division for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Grant Slater/KPCC

Take Two |

Listen to story

04:22
Download this story 2MB

The LAPD has the country's largest fleet of helicopters with 17, with a total cost of nearly $20 million a year. KPCC's Erika Aguilar spent time learning how the fleet operates, and looked through LAPD statistics to find out how effective the helicopters are in fighting crime. Read more here.

RELATED: See part 1 of Erika Aguilar's series on police helicopters in Los Angeles

RELATED: See part 2 of Erika Aguilar's series on police helicopters in Los Angeles

RELATED: View a slideshow of the LAPD's helicopter fleet on AudioVision

Enjoy Take Two? Try KPCC’s other programs.

See all of our programs

AirTalk

With Larry Mantle

Weekdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Lively and in-depth discussions of city news, politics, science, entertainment, the arts, and more.

Latest
The Third And Final Presidential Debate

FilmWeek

With Larry Mantle

Friday 11 a.m. - noon

Reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussion.

Latest
FilmWeek: “David Byrne’s American Utopia,” “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “On The Rocks” And More

Take Two

With A Martínez

Weekdays 2 to 3 p.m.

News and culture through the lens of Southern California.

Latest
State of Affairs, Changes to School Coronavirus Waivers, the Sound of the World Series,

The Frame

With John Horn

Temporarily on hiatus so that our staff can help out our colleagues in the KPCC newsroom and on our other shows.

Movies, music, TV, arts and entertainment, straight from Southern California.

Latest
For Marc Maron, Timing Is Everything

What's popular now on KPCC

Jerry Jeff Walker, Who Wrote 'Mr. Bojangles,' Dies At 78
At Least 18 Dead, Including Children, In Suicide Attack In Afghan Capital
Polish President Tests Positive For The Coronavirus
100 Million Ballots, But Experts Say 'Heaven And Earth' Being Moved For Election Mail