A Winnipeg anti-crime activist is criticizing city hall's decision to spend more than $3 million on a helicopter for the local police force.

Sel Burrows, who works with the Point Douglas Residents Committee, said that money — and the yearly costs of operating the police chopper — would be better spent on putting more police officers on the ground.

"I guess the difference is, do we want to spend money on preventing crime or catching bad guys after they've done it?" Burrows said Tuesday.

'It's a real populist, macho thing.'— Sel Burrows

Burrows made the comment just hours after city councillors agreed to set aside $3.5 million to outfit the Winnipeg Police Service with a helicopter. The purchase is part of a $430-million capital budget council passed by a vote of 13-3.

The city has yet to table a detailed analysis of how the chopper will boost police effectiveness. A report isn't expected for a few weeks yet.

Also, the plan to send officers skyward won't fly unless the province kicks in an estimated $1 million a year in operating costs, the city said.

A helicopter may seem to be a good idea, but only to those who watch too much television, Burrows said.

"It's a real populist, macho thing," he said. "Everybody watches all this American TV, and sees people swooping down from the air to capture bad guys."

Tracking suspects made easier

Police Chief Keith McCaskill has said the helicopter would include an infrared device to detect heat sources on the ground, making it easier to spot and track suspects.

He also said the helicopter would likely contribute to public safety because instead of needing patrol cars to chase suspects fleeing in vehicles, the chopper could simply follow from above.

In its most recent throne speech, the provincial government promised financial support but Premier Greg Selinger said he needs to have more discussions with police before making any commitment.