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--> --> Metro Air One board agrees to flight restrictions By Maggie McGehee Ashland Daily Tidings After months of community meetings, controversy and debate, the Talent City Council and the board of directors governing the Metro Air One police helicopter have reached agreement over use of the chopper in city skies. The Talent City Council Wednesday agreed to an interagency participant's agreement with the Metro Air One board of directors, placing restrictions on the altitude and location of routine patrols, use of the search light, city oversight for complaints and the amount of insurance carried by the helicopter. "Once everybody was on the same page, then it all worked out," Interim City Administrator Mike McAlvage said today. "From my perspective, it's good that these things are written down. It's nice that things are laid out and there is no confusion." In the past, there has been dispute over the routine patrol aspect of the program, in which the helicopter serves as an airborne patrol vehicle, flying over the city while waiting on a call. Under the city's agreement with the Metro Air One board of directors, routine patrols - flights over the city that are not directed toward accomplishing a specific task or responding to a request for police services - will be conducted only over the area northeast of Highway 99. During routine patrols, the helicopter will fly at or above 1,500 feet during daylight hours and 2,200 feet at night, according to the agreement. Moreover, helicopter crews will only use the search light when responding to emergencies, potentially life-threatening situations, natural disasters or when specifically requested by emergency services personnel on the ground. The helicopter will also be insured for no less than $10 million, under the city's agreement with Metro Air One. And finally, the city's police helicopter advisory committee will remain intact and will review all complaints and flight logs for future recommendations. The Metro Air One police helicopter program serves communities in the Rogue Valley in exchange for the different municipalities contributing money toward fuel and maintenance costs, as each city's budget allows, and provides a police officer once a week for training and patrols. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing