Never look a gift horse in the mouth—unless it comes from the government, in which case it could end up costing you a couple million.
The Newark Police Department in New Jersey was gifted two 42-year-old OH-58A Bell Kiowa helicopters, circa the Vietnam War, and courtesy of the U.S. Army. But records reviewed by NJ Advance Media revealed these “free” rides have cost over $2 million in maintenance and repairs—all for a pair of vintage helicopters they rarely use.
One helicopter has been saved for spare parts, while the other was renovated and flies infrequently. It goes out only on Friday and Saturday nights, for four hours each night. During the first six months of last year it remained completely grounded.
In the last five years, Newark spent $1.13 million on maintenance for the helicopter, including at least one emergency operation to the tune of $81,000.
Here are some more of the helicopter’s expenses, as reported by NJ.com:
The department pays two pilots to operate the helicopter: one gets a $103,005 salary, and another $47.89 per hour of flying.
The helicopter acquisition is part of a controversial military program that offloads surplus military supplies to local police stations. Events in Ferguson and elsewhere have underscored the troubling consequences of gearing up local police for the battlefield, with tanks and heavy equipment readily available.
577 similar helicopters have been given to police departments around the country since 1996, according to the Defense Department.
