Helicopter Crash Scene Courtesy of KOMO-TV Seattle, WA Seattle, WA —Tragedy struck this morning as a TV news helicopter crashed near the landmark Space Needle.   At least two people are reported dead and another is listed in critical condition at a local hospital.   At least three cars have been set on fire as result of the crash. TV news helicopters have a relatively good safety record, but every few years somewhere, these horrible accidents are repeated.    Over the years I’ve lost friends in crashes in Phoenix, AZ and Denver, CO that lost their lives covering news from the air.   Trust me, it always hurts. Aerial news coverage is necessary but can be a little risky.   It is also the single most expensive cost of most TV news organizations.   TV news has lost a major portion of its audience and revenue and many news organizations have curtailed or eliminated helicopter coverage altogether. Technology has brought us something...

Los Angeles, CA —Aside from being a licensed private investigator I’m also a freelance investigative TV news field producer.  I was drafted into TV news because of my investigative skills and advanced knowledge of courts, cops and public records.   I’m proud to say I never failed to hose the competition on the various news stories I worked on over the years.  That’s all changed now because the shrinking budgets have greatly reduced ability news directors have to hire freelancers.  Todays local TV news is no longer competitive and it has be reduced to sending a two person crew out to cut a mediocre one minute, 30 second package or slap together a quick broadcast live shot.  By accident I had a second role with my TV clients and that was dealing with security matters.  For example I would be assigned to deal with some of the more aggressive stalkers that pursued some of the more popular anchors and reporters.  I served lots of restrainin...