The Houston Police Department has quietly restored many of the helicopter patrol flights that were slashed in severe budget cutting last year, Local 2 Investigates reported Thursday.

"It's a good thing," said Police Chief Charles McClelland, while declining to detail exactly how many flights have been restored.
In October, Local 2 Investigates first reported that helicopter patrols were scaled back from as many as 20 hours per day, down to just three hours per day. The department slashed all but 90 minutes of flying on the day shift and 90 minutes of flying on the night shift, which officers said nearly eliminated the support they were providing from the air.

Instead of flying routine patrols, officers were only allowed to take off for flights when officers on the ground called them for specific emergencies such as searches for criminals on the run or car chases.

Now, officers assigned to the detail tell Local 2 Investigates their flight time has been doubled, now flying three hours per shift or a total of six hours per day.

McClelland said, "Our helicopter air support division out there has all the capabilities necessary to keep the city safe, won't compromise the citizens' safety nor police officers' safety."

He said some private industry donors have approached the department about paying for fuel to offset some of the budget cuts, but McClelland said he hasn't yet seen any checks actually come in to pay those bills.

He said he'd encourage any business that wants to contribute to step forward.

"We will take any donations," he said.

When the cuts were first made public last year, McClelland called helicopter patrols a "luxury" that city council was no longer funding fully.

Some officers assigned to the so-called "Fox Unit" helicopter patrols told Local 2 Investigates the change has allowed them to resume some routine patrolling over Houston neighborhoods. One officer said they are now able to answer specific calls from officers on the ground, and then remain in the air so that they're quickly available for any officer who needs them in a hurry.

The chief said his current budget runs through June, so any cuts after that point have not yet taken shape.

The department laid off 154 civilian employees during last year's budget slashing, but no officers lost their jobs.

McClelland said it's still unknown whether any additional layoffs will be needed in the coming budget year.

Helicopter officers said they remain worried since the choppers require money for maintenance as well and that cash may be missing from next year's budget, regardless of any donated fuel.