MONTGOMERY– The Alabama Senate, with its passage of SB44 earlier this week, will severely limit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Aviation Unit’s ability to assist local law enforcement agencies throughout the state in fighting crime, apprehending dangerous suspects and conducting search and rescue efforts. “The Elmore County Sherriff’s Office relies on ALEA Aviation support for various high-risk law enforcement operations. Cuts to ALEA’s Aviation Unit would be a significant blow to law enforcement across the state, and the public should be aware and concerned,” Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Aviation Unit flew 82 support missions, providing vital assistance to local law enforcement agencies throughout Alabama. Montgomery Department of Public Safety Director Chris Murphy said, “Aerial law enforcement is a critical police asset that the Montgomery Department of Public Safety relies upon ALEA to provide. We count on State Trooper Aviation to help the Montgomery Police Department with tracking and containing armed and dangerous suspects who are on the run, support for tactical operations, and missing person searches. Our communications with Trooper pilots is seamless, and their ready assistance during emergencies provides an invaluable law enforcement service that is otherwise unavailable to Montgomery.”
ALEA Aviation plays a vital role in the security and safety of Alabama citizens, which many citizens do not realize. Some of the Aviation’s functions and capabilities include:
• Providing air support to prison K9 tracking teams to locate and apprehend escaped inmates and other fugitives. • Providing air support to assist in bringing high-speed vehicle pursuits to a safe ending and minimize the danger to the motoring public.
• Monitoring traffic flow and directing resources at such major public events as Talladega, college football games and the Selma to Montgomery march.
• Providing aerial survey of damage after major weather events and directing such resources as life-saving supplies. Delivery of life-saving supplies is possible when motor vehicle travel is not possible during such events as ice storms.
• Locating individuals who may wander and become lost. ALEA Aviation is heavily involved in Project Lifesaver and has a 100 percent success rate.
• Providing long-line rescue capabilities throughout the state.
• Providing aerial fire suppression in wildfires.
About Senate Bill 44:
The cost of producing and issuing an Alabama Driver License is $42.74 meaning each time a Driver License was issued at $23.50, the agency lost $19.24. Therefore, the agency had to divert funds that could be used to hire State Troopers, Special Agents or other vital law enforcement support services to pay the remaining $19.24 each time a Driver License or Identification Card is issued. Section 32-6-6 of the Code of Alabama permits the agency to recover the cost of producing and issuing the Driver License or Identification Card. Because the agency is reducing production costs by implementing new technology-based initiatives, the cost was not raised the entire amount allowed of $19.24 but $12.75. The current cost of $36.25 does not give extra money to the agency, it allows the agency to simply breakeven when a Driver License or Identification Card is issued. The passage of SB44 would have a devastating effect on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and force the agency to divert funds intended to hire State Troopers and Special Agents.
MEDIA RELEASE/STATE OF ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
