LAS VEGAS — Guns N’ Roses, lead guitarist DJ Ashba wanted to propose to his girlfriend in a big way so he enlisted the assistance of the Las Vegas Metro Police (LVMPD) department to make it happen.
This had led to Las Vegas police investigating the DJ Ashba helicopter ride and there is a lot of infighting reportedly going on among the top brass.
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One one side is the indisputable fact that Las Vegas is a top vacation destination and, if you have the disposable cash and/or name recognition, you can have a lot of fun in sin city.
Many times, the celebrities do not pay one red dime to “vacation” in Las Vegas and enjoy luxurious accommodations, fine dining and some of the best nightlife in the country. All in exchange for a small promotional type of appearance
The other side is that the Las Vegas police have been doing a lot of whining lately saying that they do not have enough money to put additional patrols out on the street and even risk firing some of their current staff if a sales tax increase is not approved.
The tax increase is also how they will pay for their next graduating class at the police academy, which had been on hold because of a supposed lack of funds.
Another very touchy related subject is that a search and rescue officer, David VanBuskirk, 36, was recently killed in the line of duty. He was trying to rescue a stranded hiker on Mount Charleston when he fell while being hoisted to a helicopter. He somehow became detached from his harness.
How then could the Las Vegas police department justify the expense of the DJ Ashba helicopter ride? Not to mention that it is in extremely poor taste in light of VanBuskirk’s death.
Did DJ Ashba cough up any money for what he describes as “the most incredible day of our life” or was it provided to him compliments of the LVMPD?
It seems quite likely that DJ Ashba did not pay anything because, otherwise, there would not be so much controversy.
It is ironic that the Las Vegas police officials want the tax increase approved in order to beef up the police force and then think it is perfectly OK to blow the money they haven’t even yet officially received by providing personalized service and private helicopter tours to already rich celebrities. Unbelievable!
On Instagram Ashba even gave a shout-put to Captain Dave O’Leary and his family for their help. He wrote,
That was the most incredible day of our life!! Special thx to the Las Vegas Police Dept. for the most amazing helicopter private tour over Vegas! We landed in a field at Police headquarters were I had a table set up covered in roses n a bottle of the bubble stuff for @naty_yummi8 as we walked up to the table @karikaisner slipped me the ring, and thats when I proposed! it was beautiful she didn’t expect a thing, it was magical. And thanks to our good friends for helping making it all happen!! Dave and @nitaoleary @tommyoleary #AshbaFamily#RnR#blessed #shesaidyes#HolyCrapWereGettingMarried #engaged#forever#miamor #thejewelersLV
Did Captain O’Leary overstep his bounds?
That matter is currently under investigation.