Vegas Police Uses Helinet Aviation Services for New Year's Eve Mission

Jan. 13, 2005
Helinet's helicopter-mounted aerial surveillance system used in event security

Helinet Aviation Services, a best-in-class provider of helicopter flight services to a diversity of markets, announced today that its Helinet/Cineflex HiDEF aerial camera platform was deployed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) to provide surveillance during the city's New Year's Eve celebration. The system was part of a comprehensive security program responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly New Year's event.

With over 300,000 revelers ringing in the New Year on the Las Vegas Strip, Helinet enabled the LVMPD to survey the crowds with an unprecedented level of image detail. Mounted on a LVMPD helicopter, the Helinet/Cineflex HiDEF camera system was the department's primary aerial surveillance tool, delivering an encrypted video feed in real time to the LVMPD command center where it was monitored by LVMPD officers and officials from the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies.

Helinet's groundbreaking Helinet/Cineflex HiDEF is the world's lightest, gyro-stabilized high-definition aerial camera system. Even at maximum zoom with a 40X lens, the image remains steady. Coupled with vastly improved imaging, Helinet provides the most comprehensive 24/7 service in the industry, with the goal of eliminating aircraft on ground (AOG) time. Helinet provides loaner systems at a moment's notice ensuring the continuous operation of law enforcement aircraft.

"We are pleased to have been able to assist the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with one of their biggest security operations of the year," said J.T. Alpaugh, chief technology officer for Helinet and a veteran reserve tactical flight officer. "Traditionally, law enforcement has been limited in their aerial surveillance operations by a lack of a lack of high quality images, especially at night. The Helinet/Cineflex HiDEF camera platform represents a huge step forward in terms of providing a higher level of performance and image quality."

"Helinet provided us with an aerial view never before seen by this agency on New Year's Eve," said Sheriff Bill Young of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. "The imaging from the Helinet/Cineflex camera allowed our officers a view of the mass crowds, and details on the Las Vegas Strip from as far away as a mile and a half. From a law enforcement standpoint we couldn't ask for a better tool on such an important night. This was our first year using this equipment and it made all the difference in the world."

In addition to the LVPMD, Helinet is working with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on the integration of the Helinet/Cineflex HiDEF into their airborne law enforcement operations. Helinet can provide a range of solutions to forces of different sizes--from a single camera system that a law enforcement agency mounts on its own helicopter to a complete package including helicopter, pilots and camera operators.