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More planes and helicopters circling over Hanford has sparked a lot of curiosity and more than a few rumors, so we decided to go straight to the source. We sit down with Sergeant Jerry Hunter and Senior Deputy Eric Johnson from the Kings County Sheriff’s Department Air Support Unit to get a clear, grounded look at what aerial law enforcement actually does for public safety in Kings County.

We talk through how the unit is staffed, what a typical patrol shift looks like, and why their schedule flexes with real call patterns. Eric explains how he monitors countywide calls for service from the aircraft and how the camera system is used to support specific incidents like vehicle pursuits, perimeter searches, reckless drivers, burglaries, and missing persons cases. We also address the most common concern head-on: the idea that aircraft are “spying” on neighborhoods. Their approach is call-driven and targeted, not random surveillance of backyards.

Then we dig into why Kings County built its own aviation program instead of relying on CHP or neighboring sheriff’s offices, and what changes when you can launch locally and be overhead in minutes. Jerry breaks down what the helicopter adds beyond the fixed-wing aircraft, including command presence with a visible spotlight, the ability to land in emergencies, trauma kit support at serious crashes, and even water rescue options. If you’ve ever wondered what that searchlight means at night, this conversation brings much-needed context.

If this helped you understand what’s happening overhead, subscribe, share the episode with a neighbor, and leave us a review so more people can find it. What question do you still have about the air support unit?

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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