As part of $33.6 million in budget cuts demanded by the DeKalb County Commission, DeKalb Police have decided to ground its police helicopter.  From the AJC…

DeKalb Chief William O’Brien grounded the helicopter to meet a $4.7 million budget cut, according to a memo obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Effective immediately, helicopter response to calls for service is very limited. Aerial Support is suspending all helicopter activities, operations and call-outs,” Assistant Chief Lisa A. Gassner wrote to staff on Thursday.

The helicopter will only be used for critical public safety emergencies, such as floods and officer-involved shootings, police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said.

Sounds like DeKalb police chases may have just gotten a bit more challenging.