Fund-raiser aims to save helicopters

Supporters turn out for former city councilwoman's Eye in the Sky effort.

Supporters of the Topeka Police Department's helicopter unit Friday evening passed the hat -- a police hat -- at a gathering to kick off a campaign targeted at raising $240,000 to keep that program aloft.

"This is the only option we have left," said Beth Mechler, who is spearheading the Eye in the Sky campaign.

Organizers said about 70 people attended Friday's event in the parking lot at police headquarters. Mechler said she didn't know how much was raised, but the campaign received various checks, $50 bills, $20 bills and "quite a few" $1 bills.

All donations are welcome regardless of size, Mechler said, noting if Topeka's entire population of 119,000 were to donate $2.50 each, the campaign would reach its goal.

Topeka police administrators said last week they expected to ground the helicopter program at the end of this year after 28 years of operation.

Police said shutting down the program appeared necessary because funding requested for the unit wasn't included in the city budget passed Aug. 17 by the Topeka City Council.

Council members said Police Chief Dean Forster should be able to find ways to save enough money in other areas of his budget to keep the helicopters flying on at least a limited basis.

Forster said he couldn't do that because his budget already had been stretched to the tearing point.

Topeka will lose the helicopter unit for good unless public donations can save the program, said Mechler, a former city councilwoman who said her role in the Eye in the Sky campaign didn't mean a return to city politics.

Mechler recalled Friday that public donations fueled a police drive that began in 1991 to raise $70,000 to buy a Forward Looking Infrared Radar device for the department's helicopters.

Police took donations until late 1992, when the city decided to pay the last $25,000 of FLIR costs with city funds.

Eye in the Sky organizers see the success of the FLIR fund-raiser as a sign the helicopter unit has strong support among Topekans. Mechler said the helicopters' presence gives many a sense of security.

Mechler, who is married to Topeka police officer Randy Listrom and works as a special enforcement officer for the Kansas Department of Corrections, said officers in the helicopters have helped her during chases after fleeing fugitives.

She noted the helicopters also often assist sheriff's departments in Shawnee and surrounding counties and encouraged residents of those areas to contribute.

Donations may be made at any Commerce Bank and Trust Co. site in Topeka or mailed to Eye in the Sky, P.O. Box 5049, Topeka, 66605. For more information about the fund drive, call 266-4903.

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.