HELICOPTER PATROL A SUCCESS 1/17/2000 SCOTTSDALE, AZ - After using a borrowed helicopter for a week to respond to over 100 different calls, Scottsdale police want a helicopter of their own. "I think it's invaluable," said Officer Larry Raymond, one of the two officers who patrolled in the helicopter. Tommy Constantine, a race-car driver who lives in Scottsdale, heard that the police department wanted a presence in the sky for the week leading up to New Year's Day. So, he offered his helicopter, pilot included, to the officers. Raymond said in the course of a week, the helicopter helped catch a prowler, directed police to a Scottsdale house fire, alerted the Phoenix Fire Department to a desert fire and used a spotlight to help police on the ground locate errant partygoers who dispersed throughout the city. Although the trial run proved a success, the City Council has yet to be swayed. Raymond still holds out hope the city leaders will consider a helicopter in the future. "I think it's a necessity," said Raymond. "I think we've gotten to the point we need it." The Backup News Staff Writeer Stacey Opland

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