Stop helicopters flying over residential areas constantly!!! (San Diego: crime, neighborhoods)

[Johnah35]

I am tired of News & Police Helicopters from flying over my (34th Street 92104) neighborhood all day and night. The noise is ridiculously loud!!! They interfere with radio and television signals and keep me from sleeping through the night. There should be a limited space of time NO MATTER what kind of accident has occured on the 8 or the 805!!!

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Your only option is move.

[robert2]

We have them over Hillcrest and Bankers hill every single night around 10. It's clearly a sheriff or police helicopter (certainly not Coast Guard or from North Island) and since it is out every single night around 10, it's certainly not for some specific crime or a traffic incident. It is just because they want to fly around. So annoying.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

I thought the helicopters had something to do with air traffic control?

[oddstray]

Not much use to complain on here. Find out which agencies are flying those helicopters, and complain to the agency.

[jerseygirl101]

My friend says the helicopters are flying over there because they have to avoid flight paths for airport traffic. But not sure who the helicopters belong to. Hope that helps.

BTW, I arrived in San Diego last evening.

[moved]

There was a thread about this awhile ago. The helicopters are commonly known as the SDPD "ghetto birds." Some people like them, some don't. They fly overhead where I live all the time, and don't bother me at all. If they bother you, then you should move. They're flying for a reason - to combat crime.

[kettlepot]

First off, to the OP, I feel your pain. Sometimes it's enough to make a person pull his hair out. I really understand your aggravation.

But to repeat and extend comments on this topic the issues are:

The Airport Flight Path causes the helicopters to need to make an easterly end run to fly from north of the airport flight path to the part of the city south of the flight path.

For further explanation on why that is important see these two threads:

PSA 727 Crashes Into San Diego After Collision - 9/25/1978
For those who remember PSA 182 's crash in North Park

Another reason is that experience has taught the police that it is easier to have the copter flying continuously over the city, ready to respond, rather than to land in between requests for use.

Finally, the renaissance around 30th & University spurred by the eating and drinking establishments, has caused certain issues that have lead to increased nuisance crimes. These then prompt a higher request for helicopter assistance.

[Jehjeh]

I don't doubt a lot of the helicopters are news and police, but some, especially in Hillcrest and nearby neighborhoods, are probably bound for the hospitals there. I used to live in Hillcrest between Mercy and UCSD Med Center, and we'd get lots of helicopters landing at the hospitals.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

Another reason is that experience has taught the police that it is easier to have the copter flying continuously over the city, ready to respond, rather than to land in between requests for use.

Respond to what?

These are taxpayer dollars being used and everyone has a voice in how they spent. If you are upset with the helicoptor, attend the meeting of the elected public servants (county or city) and state your case. Start petition drives. Organize public protests if neccesary.

What would a helicoptor have to "respond" to that requires it to be operating in the air constantly and only land to refuel/replace the crew? The only legitamate reason I can think of is a medical emergency. If the helicoptor is being used so much for that - then I think the city has bigger problems.