The helicopters are back…

THE CITY reported earlier this month that “calls to 311 about helicopters noisily hovering above New York have soared this year — with an analysis showing a more than 130% increase over 2019." Yes, many of us are cooped up at home and noticing them more, and yes, a certain percentage of the copters belong to the NYPD or television news. But as Brooklyn Heights residents know, the problem of noise pollution from helicopters in our midst is long-standing and ever-worsening, pandemic or no.

FlyNYON, whose helicopter was involved in a 2018 East River crash in which five tourists were killed, continues to run doors-off "barefoot selfie" sightseeing trips, while Uber and Blade promote their helicopter rides to JKF airport. 

The BHA has long been active in raising the alarm over this quality of life, public health, and safety issue. Now, we've joined forces with Stop the Chop NY/NJ, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to the elimination of non-essential helicopters from the New York metropolitan area. Non-essential (tourist, charter and commuter) helicopter flights dramatically reduce the quality of life for millions of people in the New York metropolitan area. They pollute our environment, pose significant safety risks, harm our children, and make us miserable. 

Stop the Chop NY/NJ is an entirely volunteer effort engaged in outreach, advocacy, and education. As always, we need your help to be successful! Follow and like Stop the Chop NY/NJ on Facebook and Twitter @StoptheChopNYNJ. Sign the petition, and visit the website to learn how you can get more involved.