Escambia Sheriff To Close Helicopter Unit

Pursuant to budget shortfalls that have plagued many cities, counties and states, Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff David Morgan reports that he will have to close down the department’s 8-year old helicopter unit in order to save money. It costs $800,000 per year to keep the unit’s two surplus OH-58 patrol helicopters, three pilots, three deputy observers and one logistics manager operational; money the sheriff feels he cannot justify at a time when he has to slash $6.5 million from his $79 million budget. The closure is slated for March of 2009. For related news