Newsroom : December :

News Release

FWC “eyes in the skies” locate lawbreakers

December 18, 2007
Contact: Karen Parker, 386-758-0525

• Photos

If you’re going to break the law, be careful. You never know who might be watching.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Aviation Section at Lake City has a new weapon in its arsenal to protect the state’s valuable natural resources.

The Bell 206 L4 Long Ranger helicopter will enhance search-and-rescue and other law enforcement operations in the FWC’s North Central Region. 

“We fast-forwarded about 35 years in technology,” said Lt. Joe Johnston, a pilot who has been with the commission for nearly 30 years. “We replaced our 1970s-era military surplus OH-58 helicopter with this one.”

It’s basically a newer, larger version of the previous helicopter with some impressive upgrades, Johnston said. The new Long Ranger can carry seven people, as opposed to four that the OH-58 carried. The new helicopter weighs about 1,000 pounds more, with a top airspeed of about 150 mph, as opposed to the OH-58’s top speed of 138 mph.

“The Long Ranger is equipped with a thermal-imaging system, the FLIR 8000, which detects extremely subtle temperature changes, critical for warm-weather search-and-rescues or for locating a suspect who has attempted to elude capture,” Johnston said.   “The FLIR doesn’t care if it’s midday or midnight. It creates an image based on heat.”

The FLIR also is able to downlink to officers on the ground, who can view everything the pilot is seeing by watching a laptop display unit.  The display unit also records all images for use in court and in training.   

“If you’re lost, we will find you. If you’re on the run, we will find you,” Johnston said. “With the technology we have on this helicopter, we can fly at night with impunity.”

In addition to the FLIR, the Long Ranger is equipped with SX16 Night Sun, a 30-million-candlepower searchlight, and night-vision equipment. 

“The search-and-rescue and law enforcement capabilities the Long Ranger brings to the region are tremendous,” said FWC Lt. Bruce Cooper in Taylor County.  “Especially in a rural county like Taylor, the helicopter will enhance our search-and-rescue capabilities not only on the water, but also in thick cover, looking for lost hunters or hikers.  The Long Ranger also can deploy up to six FWC Special Operations Group officers during critical events, such as natural disaster response and law enforcement tactical response.” 

The FWC purchased two Bell helicopters in 2006. One went to Fort Lauderdale and the other originally went to Panama City.

“It was transferred to Lake City in October, and I’ve been flying it ever since,” Johnston said. “Essentially, I can cover the Panhandle down to Central Florida while (pilot) Lt. Joe Martyna (in Fort Lauderdale) can cover the southern part of the state up to Central Florida.”

The new helicopter isn’t the only tool Johnston uses. Last month, Johnston took to the skies in a Cessna fixed-wing aircraft and directed FWC law enforcement officers to lawbreakers in four North Florida counties.

The officers worked three night flights over Columbia, Alachua, Baker and Union counties Nov. 2, 3 and 4, Johnston said. The detail netted 15 cases, resulting in three arrests and a variety of citations and warnings written by law enforcement officers.

“I can’t overemphasize that during all our patrols, our main focus is resource protection and boating safety,” Johnston said. “But during these patrols, FWC officers do run into a wide variety of violations, and they act upon them.”

One night, as Johnston flew over Alachua County at about 7,500 feet, wearing night-vision goggles, he saw a tiny light flickering on and off in the Grove Park Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

“Because the light flicked on and off so quickly, I wasn’t sure what I was seeing,” Johnston said. “I circled around again, concentrating on where I saw the light. I directed Officer Sam Dishman to the area to check it out.”

Dishman noticed a vehicle parked in the WMA. He went to the vehicle and observed the driver smoking what appeared to be crack cocaine. The light Johnston had seen was the man’s lighter flicking on and off while he smoked the illegal substance. Dishman arrested the man for possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and for not purchasing a recreational use permit for the area.

The next night, Johnston and crew worked Union County and discovered a man trespassing. They charged him and found the man also had an active warrant.

On yet another night, while flying over Columbia County, Johnston noticed a vehicle driving erratically. He directed an officer to the vehicle, which had ended up in a ditch after the driver attempted to execute a three-point turn. The officer determined the man had been driving under the influence, registering .165 on the breathalyzer test. He charged the man with DUI and with possessing an open container of alcohol.

These flights require a team effort. The officers rely on Johnston to direct them to the suspicious activity, while Johnston relies on the officers to make the cases.

“The officers on the ground are the ones who walk up to the vehicles in remote areas and confront a potential violator. Without the officers, I’m not effective at all. We have plenty of enthusiastic officers in this area who are willing to check things out and make the cases when they find them,” Johnston said.

Johnston described the feeling of being able to see “forever” on a clear, fall night.

“I was flying at about 7,500 feet, and I could see 80 miles in all directions. It was incredible. With the aircraft and the night-vision goggles, if someone is doing something in the area we’re working, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” Johnston said. “People often forget to look up to see who’s watching.”

“I’m proud to have both of these aircraft in the North Central Region. They are tremendous tools to law enforcement, and I intend on using both to accomplish our mission of protecting the resources of the state and serving our residents,” Johnston said.