This seems rather strange: the city is holding an online auction (that’s not the strange part) to raise money for its municipal campaign, and one of the items up for bid is a ride in an HPD helicopter (this is the strange part):
City departments are asked to donate items like a round of golf with the department head or a tasty firehouse meal.
Then there is HPD’s contribution: How would you like to take a spin around the city — way above the city?
The current bid for a ride-along in one of the HPD choppers is $150.
[snip]
So is it going to cost you as a taxpayer to raise a few hundred dollars for charity?
“The helicopter that will be used will actually be in service at that time, too,” said Capt. Ready. “This is not something where we are taking the helicopter or the pilot out of service to do. So if there is a chase or a call from a patrol officer so have the helicopter check by, the helicopter will be checking by and performing actual police services.”
Just with an extra set of eyes on a real-life thrill ride.
The idea behind the auction is admirable; however, I don’t think a ride in a helicopter is what HPD should be offering up. How about bidding on a ride with HPD’s mounted patrol, or maybe even having lunch with Chief Hurtt at the airport on a Friday afternoon, before he heads off to Phoenix?
