TAMPA, Fla. — When Gasparilla events kick off later this week, Tampa’s law enforcement will be patrolling on foot, on the water and by air.

Tampa police say the aviation unit is on hand year-round to give officers a bird's-eye view of an area. And Gasparilla is no different.

Tampa Police Chief Pilot Chris Shepherd said aircraft will be in the skies for both the children’s parade on Saturday and the parade of pirates next week.

Shepherd said he knows the advantages of a bird's-eye view, particularly for an event like Gasparilla.

“The officer on the ground, he has limited visibility because there are so many people,” said Shepherd. “Overhead, we can see the large picture, as well as with the camera system allows us to zoom in and see the minute details of what’s going on in a situation.”

The helicopter is just one of the ways Tampa police will patrol both the children’s parade and next week’s parade of pirates.

Cameras help them get a closer look at situations to get information as quickly as possible to the officers who need it.

On the ground, police say the crowd itself is among their most important resources.   

“If you see something, say something so that law enforcement can do something,” said Major Jason Dillaha, TPD Special Operations Division. “There’s going to be hundreds upon hundreds of police officers at this event, and you’ll be able to find someone.”

And they won’t just be from Tampa.

Chief Lee Bercaw said last week 20 law enforcement agencies from around the Bay area will help his department keep this year’s Gasparilla safe.