Mayor's Corner
By: Mayor Joe Stapleton
Newport Beach Implementing Cutting-Edge Public Safety Technologies
The safety of our community remains the highest priority for our City Council, and we are committed to equipping the City’s public safety personnel with the latest technologies to keep our community safe.
As part of this commitment, the City Council recently approved a $2.1 million, five-year agreement with BRINC Drones, Inc. to enhance the Newport Beach Police Department’s (NBPD) capabilities with seven new public safety drones. These drones will complement nearly 70 Flock camera license plate readers installed earlier this year and integrate with our new Crime Information Center (CIC) — a centralized operations hub staffed by officers and civilian personnel.
The CIC is a critical addition to our public safety infrastructure, providing real-time information to aid police officers in the field. It receives live video feeds from public and private cameras (with prior agreements from private owners), allowing for real-time monitoring of crime incidents and significantly improving investigative capabilities. With these tools, our police department can respond faster, enhance situational awareness and improve overall public safety.
The new drone program will further strengthen these efforts. Strategically stationed throughout the city, the drones can be deployed anywhere in Newport Beach within two minutes, providing live aerial views of unfolding events. This will help NBPD personnel assess situations quickly and dispatch resources efficiently to prevent and investigate crimes and apprehend suspects. Beyond law enforcement, these drones will also support the Newport Beach Fire Department, assisting in firefighting efforts, searching for missing swimmers and responding to public safety threats such as shark sightings or severe weather.
We are dedicated to leveraging innovative technology to ensure Newport Beach remains one of the safest communities in the nation. I look forward to keeping you updated as we continue to implement these advancements. Mayor Joe Stapleton is serving his first term as Mayor of Newport Beach.
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jstapleton@newportbeachca.gov
