WFAA: New Plano landscape leads police to do fast-rope training

There is no denying that Plano’s landscape has changed. Representatives with the city tell WFAA that Plano is 95 percent built out. However, that number has no bearing on what can be built up. Mark Bradford of Bradford Putnam Realty, partner in the Windrose Tower project, said “When a city develops, they say ‘Hey, we want that'”. Currently, the city has approximately 16 buildings that are at least 10 stories high. A new addition, Legacy West’s Windrose Tower, is projected to be 26 stories with roughly 100 luxury condo units. Yet, it’s not just contractors who have to prepare for a high-rise; Plano police need preparation as well. “We don’t always have the option of coming in through the front door. Sometimes we need to come in from a different way,” said Plano SWAT Officer Mike Bogacki. On Monday, the SWAT team teamed up with 5 State Helicopters Inc. to provide fast-rope training on the staging building at Toyota Headquarters. Officers took turns coming down a rope as a helicopter hovered over the building. The exercise simulates a response to a high-rise building. “Some people say it’s dangerous. We say it’s exciting and pretty dynamic,” said Bogacki. For the full article, visit https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/new-plano-landscape-leads-police-to-do-fast-rope-training/