HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.—Inside the hangar of the Huntington Beach Police Department Air Support Bureau, city officials gathered Feb. 8 for the inaugural flight of its first of three new helicopters.
“Our police department currently has the best equipment so they can protect our residents,’’ Mayor Tony Strickland said.
With airspeeds of up to 150 mph, the helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art communication instruments, high-definition cameras, and what are known as “Night Sun” spotlights capable of delivering a wide flood of light during patrol and search and rescue operations.
Huntington Beach’s newest MD 530 F patrol helicopter in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
“Anybody that’s been a police officer knows there’s nothing more comforting than when you’re out there and you’re looking for somebody or you’re in a situation that is dangerous than when you request an airship and it’s overhead,” Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said….