A helicopter caused a lot of curiosity among Shenango Valley residents Friday and Saturday nights but police said unless you're a criminal there's nothing to worry about.

A Pennsylvania State Police helicopter was flying over high crime areas in Sharon and Farrell over the weekend for two purposes, Sharon Police Capt. Michael Menster said. The first purpose was to assist local and state police with Weed and Seed patrols, and the second purpose was to do some training for the future.

Police working Weed and Seed conducted saturation patrols in high drug areas, and the helicopter was in the area to assist police, Menster said.

Spotlights used for landings and take-offs and illuminating certain areas caused some concern among residents, Menster said. "Unless you're committing a crime, you really don't have to be concerned about it," he said.

During the weekend Weed and Seed patrols there were numerous vehicles stopped for traffic violations including several drunken driving arrests, Menster said.

Sharon police said they arrested at 17-year-old Sharon boy in the 200 block of Orchard Street on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. The boy had multiple baggies of marijuana, packaging materials and cash on him, police said. The boy was placed in a juvenile detention facility, police said.

State police said they arrested a Farrell man on a drunken driving stop and possession of a small amount of marijuana. The charges have yet to be filed before a district justice.

The state police helicopter is based in Franklin and has unique capabilities such as infrared radar that can detect people in the dark, Menster said. He said this feature could be used if a child or elderly person wanders away from their home at night.

The helicopter can be in the area within 15 to 20 minutes, Menster said. Part of the weekend mission was to work out logistics such as landing zones and radio communication with ground unit so in the case of an emergency "everything is set to go," Menster said.

The helicopter will not be in the area on a regular basis but Menster said residents may see or hear it in the area periodically.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at
kgarrett@sharonherald.com