Helicopters over the city ~ All the time now (Phoenix: crime, house)

[sammyinphx]

Am I going crazy or is it morning noon and night that Helicopters are flying over.
For the past yr I cannot remember a day that we have not had at least 30 minutes with a helicopter over head.
Cross streets are Northern and 12th st.

The area is not the safest in Phx but these birds never look like they are looking for anyone.
Sometimes they have their spotlights on but in no specific direction.

Just ten minutes ago I was outside for 22 minutes staring at a helicopter that was staying in one spot, no lamp on anything, no lamp on at all~ just flying in place, then it left and headed north.....

A couple weeks ago I called the news to ask about it, I called the police dept and they said it wasn't their bird- but that was a lie because I took a photo of the side and it was a clearly marked police chopper

Any ideas?

[wit-nit]

Maybe medical copters going to John C Lincoln Hospital that's nearby???

[sammyinphx]

I thought of that but then why would they stay in one spot for over 20 minutes tonight.
And last week I was out walking my dog and a few copters where running "drills" or something
Each taking turns shining their spot lights on the hills behind our house but not looking for anyone because they were "searching" how they normally search with their lights.

I am not exg when I say it is constant.
I hear them everyday a few times a day - Most are all black, some are white and blue

[Desertspiritsteve]

I wonder if the helicopters could be police and tv news copters observing SR51 traffic conditions? The freeways have seemed really busy all summer and getting busier with the weather cooling like it is. There are accidents that the birds will hover over. 12th. St. and Northern is close the the parkway. Keep us posted and shoot some video of the helicopters. Wit-nit suggested medical copters and John C. Lincoln. Have you tried getting around here in your car? Maybe they're private transportation. ROADWORK AHEAD

[sammyinphx]

I will shoot video tomorrow and post it.

The choppers are usually in the neighborhoods- not so much over the 51. On occasion they are and you can tell they are covering traffic or accients when they stay above the 51

Once I post the videos tell me what you think.
I wish I would have caught the chopper tonight hanging out for over 20 minutes in one spot but the camera was on the charger.

They are here all the time so I am sure I will get another chance

[Zippyman]

the blue & white one is Phoenix pd & I agree, they seem to have far too much funding in that department, since they arent bashful about hovering at low altitude for long periods of time.

i havent seen them in my area for a while, but you cant miss them when they are in the area - fwiw, I've seen in other threads that Phoenix got a noise waiver from the FAA so they could use a cheaper (louder) helicopter.. hoping it makes the news next time they need a waiver as I'd certainly like to object to it myself.

[Bungle]

This topic has been discussed at length in this thread:

//www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...licopters.html

[wit-nit]

Hovering helicopter, crime in progress; spotlight on, following burglar.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

Hovering helicopter, crime in progress; spotlight on, following burglar.

To add to this: Spotlight off = using FLIR

[KurtAZ]

Just wait till they start using drones.