Tulsa just amped up its law enforcement capabilities, welcoming a new hangar and heliport dedicated to the Tulsa Police Department's Air Support Unit. This $5.42 million addition, unveiled with some fanfare among city leaders, aims to bolster the law enforcement's response times for a variety of high-risk situations across the city. A notable $3.5 million slice of the budget pie came from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, with significant local contributions including a $1 million boost from the Hardesty Family Foundation and additional funds courtesy of the Chapman Foundation and city coffers.
This isn't just a fancy parking spot for choppers, the facility brags modern features like offices, a fully kitted-out kitchen, mechanics shop, and special areas for training and conferences. According to City of Tulsa announcements, the hangar is set to heighten pilot and ground crew safety, trim down response times and give Tulsa's Police Department some much-needed room to grow. Mayor Monroe Nichols put it plainly, "Our officers now have more space to maintain and protect the aircraft that help protect us, ultimately improving our response to high-risk calls, search and rescue missions, and large-scale emergency situations."
“This new hangar is a game-changer for our department," Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen was quoted in the City of Tulsa's statement. It signals a leap in their air support capabilities and fortify their commitment to safeguarding the Tulsa community. District 8 City Councilor Phil Lakin, Jr., chimed in on the project's virtues, stressing the importance of the Air Support Unit's role in everything from crucial rescue ops to officer safety on terra firma.
The presence of strong public-private partnership echoes throughout this endeavor, with both the Hardesty Family Foundation and the Chapman Foundation getting nods for their substantial financial devotion. Michelle Hardesty of the Hardesty Family Foundation shared, “We are honored to partner with the Tulsa Police Department on their new helicopter hangar project. As proud supporters of our men and women in uniform, we believe that investing in aviation resources is essential to enhancing officer safety and operational efficiency. Expanding opportunities for female pilots in this field is also a top priority for us.” The architectural design of this ambitious project was led by BKL Incorporated, with the Lyle Building Group, laying the actual foundation.
It's evident that the latest addition to the Tulsa Police Department is poised to take the city's public safety capabilities to new heights – quite literally. As Tulsa continues to spread its wings, so too does the promise of a safer, more efficiently policed cityscape hover on the horizon.
