Calif. Cities Ground Police Helicopter Program

Two Orange County cities have formally dissolved a joint police helicopter program that provided airborne patrols for nearly two decades in a budget-tightening move.

Two Orange County cities have formally dissolved a joint police helicopter program that provided airborne patrols for nearly two decades in a budget-tightening move.

Earlier this month, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach shut down ABLE (Airborne Law Enforcement). Three helicopters will be sold off, and 5,000 gallons of unused fuel will be disposed, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The Costa Mesa City Council had voted to exit the partnership in 2011. The cities will now rely on Huntington Beach for airborne law enforcement.

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