The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is getting a new eye in the sky to help fight crime and wildfires.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved spending $2.6 million to buy video equipment that can transmit real-time images from aircraft cameras to patrol cars. Two airplanes, a helicopter and four sheriff's vehicles will get the gear.

Sheriff Lee Baca says the high-definition, long-range video could help authorities handle protests and disasters and track violent criminals. Images also will be shared with county firefighters.

Baca says a live video feed could have helped provide an aerial view during June's rioting after the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship and last year's massive Station Fire that destroyed 89 homes.