havoc
26th Mar 2006, 22:10
Wonder if we couuld offer them a flight after their caught:
Vandals shoot out hospital helicopter's window
By Paige Harden
Reporter
Damage to Columbus Regional Hospital’s helicopter has elevated the recent vandalism spree from mischief to a safety concern.
A window on the PHI Air Medical helicopter parked on 17th Street near the emergency room was shot out Sunday night and was hit with paintballs Thursday night.
The vandals also shot the brick exterior of the hospital with the paint guns.
As of Friday afternoon, police were investigating more than 60 cases of vandalism this week.
“This has become a public safety issue,” said Lt. Matt Myers, Columbus Police Department public information officer.
“Sometimes a matter of minutes determines if someone lives or dies,” said Kenneth Cooley, protective services officer at CRH. “With our helicopter out of service, someone could have died.”
Ron Dunbar, helicopter mechanic, said the helicopter was out of service for 11 hours while the window was replaced.
“We’ve got other aircraft in the area, but they could have taken longer to get to the scene,” Dunbar said. “It’s a federal offense to damage any type of aircraft.”
Dunbar said the recent vandalism is the first to the helicopter in the two years it has been in Columbus.
CPD has made the community-wide vandalism a top priority, Myers said.
“We have increased our patrols,” he said. “We’re gonna find out who is doing this. If they come forward now we are going to be a lot more willing to work with them than if they wait for us to find them.”
Myers encouraged people to pay attention to their property.
“Park your car in the garage or under a street light,” he said. “And periodically check on your property.
“It might not be your window today, but it could be your window tomorrow.”
Myers said the vandals have caused an estimated $15,000 in damage.
“This has got to stop,” he said.
Persons with information can call Jay Frederick, 376-2631 or CPD main line, 376-2600.
Vandals shoot out hospital helicopter's window
By Paige Harden
Reporter
Damage to Columbus Regional Hospital’s helicopter has elevated the recent vandalism spree from mischief to a safety concern.
A window on the PHI Air Medical helicopter parked on 17th Street near the emergency room was shot out Sunday night and was hit with paintballs Thursday night.
The vandals also shot the brick exterior of the hospital with the paint guns.
As of Friday afternoon, police were investigating more than 60 cases of vandalism this week.
“This has become a public safety issue,” said Lt. Matt Myers, Columbus Police Department public information officer.
“Sometimes a matter of minutes determines if someone lives or dies,” said Kenneth Cooley, protective services officer at CRH. “With our helicopter out of service, someone could have died.”
Ron Dunbar, helicopter mechanic, said the helicopter was out of service for 11 hours while the window was replaced.
“We’ve got other aircraft in the area, but they could have taken longer to get to the scene,” Dunbar said. “It’s a federal offense to damage any type of aircraft.”
Dunbar said the recent vandalism is the first to the helicopter in the two years it has been in Columbus.
CPD has made the community-wide vandalism a top priority, Myers said.
“We have increased our patrols,” he said. “We’re gonna find out who is doing this. If they come forward now we are going to be a lot more willing to work with them than if they wait for us to find them.”
Myers encouraged people to pay attention to their property.
“Park your car in the garage or under a street light,” he said. “And periodically check on your property.
“It might not be your window today, but it could be your window tomorrow.”
Myers said the vandals have caused an estimated $15,000 in damage.
“This has got to stop,” he said.
Persons with information can call Jay Frederick, 376-2631 or CPD main line, 376-2600.