Illinois Helicopter Enforced Land Patrol

This is what Southern Illinois Law enforcement uses now....

 

 

 

 

This is what Southern Illinois Law enforcement needs

 

 

Help us protect our communities

Illinois’ Helicopter Enforced Land Patrol (I-HELP) will provide air support & patrol for Law enforcement agencies in the region.

Take Part in Protecting Our Communities

We are in the process of creating a public use business for the added safety of our public and to benefit our law enforcement officers of Southwestern Illinois. The State of Illinois does not have any helicopters for law enforcement, with the exception of the immediate Chicago area. This leaves law enforcement agencies for the balance of the state defenseless in the arena for air support. The plan is to provide a privately owned helicopter for air support for use by the law enforcement agencies of Southern Illinois on a contractual basis.

We all see the news reports of the criminal activities that go on in our communities & neighborhoods every day. Our police officers work hard and risk their lives to keep all of us safe. However, they will be able to do their job much more effectively with your help. Shouldn’t we give them the equipment and assistance to help keep them safe as well.
Aerial law enforcement is an extremely effective program that protects most large cities in our country. With the joint effort and dedication of I-HELP, private citizens and law enforcement agencies, providing air support to the communities of Southern Illinois, we will all be much safer.

All of us will be safer at work and play, thanks to I-HELP, which will protect the citizens and police officers of Illinois’ Southwestern counties with aerial law enforcement by the use of helicopter patrol, search, and rescue capabilities.

Overview

The annual budgets of most cities and counties do not provide for aerial helicopter support. With the demands of our communities’ tax dollars already stretched, new programs are almost always put on the back burner.

Since the tragedies of September 11, 2001 homeland security, the need for protection and assistance with law enforcement activities in the region continuing to expand, the need for an Air Support Unit has never been greater and has dramatically increased.

I-HELP is confident that law enforcement agencies and local communities will welcome, appreciate, and support this program.

I-HELP intends to conduct displays, demonstrations, and tours of the equipment, capabilities, facilities and resources at it’s disposal. One example:  The need for our service continues to grow with all of the portable “meth” labs and those crimes associated with that. Another example: the need for a helicopter support program. 

In August 2006, the Columbia Police Department had assistance from 7 police agencies and 2 fire departments (see photo) searching a corn field for a suspect. Using their only available resources their efforts resulted in an 8 hour manhunt. With the help of a helicopter, the manpower and capture time could have been drastically reduced.

We Are Asking for Your Help

Now is the time to support those who are protecting us.  With our communities’ budgets not able to fund this essential service, we are asking for financial support from the individuals, the community and businesses.

I-HELP is an Illinois corporation with 501(c)3 non-profit status with the IRS which means your donations are tax deductable.   

Through your support we can begin to provide all citizens of the Southwestern Illinois Region with unparalleled service.