An Orange County businessman is considering buying three helicopters and equipment jointly owned by the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa police departments and selling flight time back to the cities, a Costa Mesa city councilman said.
The proposal could help keep police helicopters in the air, Councilman Jim Righeimer said.
By not having to pay for the helicopter or sharing flight time with other Orange County cities, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach would be able to continue the Airborne Law Enforcement Services, or ABLE, that patrol areas difficult for patrol officers to reach by car, such as beach communities and wooded areas, and respond quickly to crime scenes.
The businessman, who lives in Newport Beach, would rent services out to Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Fountain Valley, among other Orange County cities.
"One way or the other we're still going to have helicopters in Costa Mesa," Righeimer said.
The name of the businessman was not released. Sources at both city halls confirmed that the deal was being discussed.
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