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Alberta RCMP helicopter will be regular guest in Red Deer airspace all summer

All summer long, the Alberta RCMP helicopter will take to the skies throughout Red Deer and Central Alberta.
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All summer long, the Alberta RCMP helicopter will take to the skies throughout Red Deer and Central Alberta.

On top of its use for specific situations, Red Deer RCMP said the helicopter will be in the area when it’s available for day-to-day policing.

Among its many functions it will keep an eye out for suspicious activity, help officers track stolen vehicles and pinpoint suspects attempting to flee police

See related story: RCMP helicopter an important ‘tool’ for law enforcement

“The helicopter is a great tool for everyday policing,” said Supt. Ken Foster, officer in charge of Red Deer RCMP. “It offers us fantastic aerial views into treed or secluded areas that are more difficult to explore from the ground and it’s invaluable for tracking stolen vehicles that attempt to flee police.”

According to Red Deer police, stolen vehicles are a major concern in the community and province and due to the nature of them being stolen they frequently drive erratically and at excessive speeds, run red lights and otherwise endanger the lives of citizens and the police working to apprehend them. The helicopter allows police to track stolen vehicles from the air, improving the arrest odds and lessening the public danger.

“The helicopter has played a part in a number of successful arrests in Red Deer over the years, and we continue to welcome its presence in Red Deer as availability permits, as part of the consistent pressure we’re applying to property crimes and those prolific offenders who are responsible for much of it,” said Foster.