JACOBS: Air unit critical to keeping Peoria safe

Public safety was one of the most important factors when my husband and I chose Trilogy in Vistancia a place to call home.

In a city like Peoria, spanning 180 square miles and including dense neighborhoods, remote desert terrain, and local attractions like Lake Pleasant, rapid and reliable emergency response isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity.

As the Chairman of Legislative District 28 Republican Committee, I am so proud of what our city has accomplished under the leadership of Mayor Jason Beck and the City Council. In just the past two years, Peoria has made transformative strides to become one of the safest cities in Arizona. We’ve added more police officers and fire-medical staff, launched a real-time crime center, introduced a mobile command unit, and notably brought the West Valley its first public safety helicopter. We’ve even secured School Resource Officers in every Peoria Unified school and the groundbreaking of a new firehouse for the first time in over a decade.

These aren’t just headline-worthy moves, they’re lifesaving ones. The helicopter alone has already located missing persons, helped prevent crime, protected our officers, and assisted in apprehending dangerous criminals. Shortly after the Real Time Crime Center was launched, it helped catch someone on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. That’s not just effective policing, it’s exceptional and makes our city a safer place!

And yet, when Deputy City Manager Travis Cutright presented the case for a second helicopter during last month’s City Council meeting, the idea was met with gasps and disapproval from some in the audience. Critics questioned the need and cost of expanding our air fleet, even though the reasoning was clearly laid out: a second helicopter increases coverage across our vast city, reduces downtime during maintenance of a single unit, and extends the overall lifespan of this critical resource.

Let’s be honest — some people were skeptical of the first helicopter, and they’re now just as opposed to a second. But Mayor Beck has asked the right question: What is saving one life worth?

To me, there’s no price tag on bringing someone home safely. A helicopter isn’t just a machine — it’s a tool for survival, a guardian in the sky, and a promise that we’ll do everything we can to support those who risk their lives to protect us.

Before Peoria had its own helicopter, we relied on external agencies like the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police. That often meant delays (or often, no response at all) — especially in remote areas — at times when every second mattered. Now, Peoria controls its own response time. That’s a game-changer.

Some critics claim the helicopter is too expensive or that maintenance costs are unjustified. But thanks to a $3.5 million state grant made possible through Arizona Senate Bill 1720, the Bell 505 helicopter was acquired without burdening taxpayers. And thanks to the creativity and collaboration between our mayor, council, and state legislators, a portion of the operational costs are grant-funded as well.

Another myth is that the costs have tripled since the initial plan. That’s simply not true. Every cost was accounted for and approved as part of a transparent and responsible city budget.

So, the real question becomes: when our top police and city officials present well-documented reasons for investing in this kind of public safety infrastructure, why wouldn’t we trust their expertise?

Public safety isn’t about pinching pennies — it’s about protecting lives. And as our city grows, we need to be sure that our emergency response capabilities grow with it. The Bell 505 has already proven its worth, and expanding our air support is a logical, forward-thinking step.

Rather than debating whether this was the right investment, we should be applauding the foresight of our city leaders. They’ve acted boldly and responsibly to secure the tools Peoria needs — not just for today, but for generations to come.

At the end of the day, Peoria’s aviation unit isn’t some flashy piece of tech — it’s a critical part of keeping Peoria families, and our west Valley region, safe. And when I hear it overhead, I’m reminded that help is never too far away. That’s peace of mind we should all be grateful for.