The Week in Review - February 21, 2025

City of Newport Beach, California sent this bulletin at 02/21/2025 11:27 AM PST

Community Members:

On Tuesday, February 25 the City Council will consider a $2.1 million, 5-year agreement with BRINC Drones, Inc. for seven public safety drones, a significant part of the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) technology upgrades that began last year.

The drone program, if approved, would complement nearly 70 Flock camera license plate readers now in operation and new FUSUS software that feeds public and private camera footage (by prior agreement) into a centralized Crime Information Center staffed by the NBPD.

BRINC is based in Seattle, and its drones are manufactured entirely in the U.S.

The drone program would give the NBPD an important additional tool to aid in crime prevention, the investigation of crimes, and apprehension of suspects.

The drones would be stationed at bases in strategic locations throughout the City, and can be dispatched anywhere in Newport Beach within two minutes. The drones provide a live, real-time aerial view of events in progress. Staff in the Crime Information Center will access the live views and assess situations as police units are responding to calls.

The drones can also be used to support Newport Beach Fire Department operations, including fighting fires, searching for missing swimmers, or clearing beaches in the event of shark sightings or lightning.

I will continue to update our community on the progress of these technologies as they are adopted and deployed by our Police Department.

City Manager, Grace K. Leung

The map above shows the approximate locations of about 70 Flock cameras used by the NBPD to help identify stolen vehicles and vehicles used in the commission of crimes. On Tuesday the City Council will consider adding aerial drones as part of a comprehensive technology strategy to improve public safety in our community.

Spring 2025 Class, Camp Registration Now Open

Discover a new passion or expand your enrichment opportunities this spring by enrolling in a variety of program options for all ages, including Mini Music Masters, Thoughtful Theater, Surf, or Beach Sunset Yoga.

Keep an eye out for the latest edition of the Newport Navigator, arriving in your mailboxes. Visit newportbeachca.gov/register and filter by 2025 Spring season under the "when" drop-down filter or by clicking this link.

Superior Ave. Paving Work Scheduled for Feb. 24-28

Crews will be conducting paving work at Superior Avenue from West Coast Highway to Placentia Avenue from Monday, February 24 through Friday, February 28.

The work will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lane closures will be in place.

Motorists are asked to observe and follow all temporary traffic control signs and personnel.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to improve our streets.

This week, the City’s homeless outreach and response teams:

Placed four people at the temporary cold weather shelter at the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Costa Mesa.
Placed a person in a motel to connect him to Project Kinship for services.
Enrolled three people into services.
Continued to shelter people. Twenty-five people who had been experiencing homelessness in Newport Beach are sheltered in the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter.

Click here to view the latest homeless dashboard.

Click here for information on the City's Good Giving program.

On the Agenda: February 25 City Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Newport Beach City Council will be on Tuesday, February 25 at 4 p.m. The full agenda is available here.

Agenda items include:

Consideration of a $2.1 million, 5-year agreement with BRINC Drones Inc., of Seattle, for public safety drones.
Confirmation of mayoral appointments to fill scheduled vacancies on the General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) and the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC).
Approval of an ordinance designating a portion of Corona del Mar as a safety enhancement zone and expanding the West Newport safety enhancement zone to include Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. Safety enhancement zones carry increased fines for municipal code violations such as loud and unruly gatherings.
Consideration of a request by the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation to increase the size of the LED screen planned for the Witte Lecture Hall now under construction.
Appointment to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the City's Planning Commission.

VIEW THE FULL AGENDA >>

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

WITTE LECTURES: CHRISTINE BRENNAN

2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24

BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES MEETING

5 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660

AVIATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING

5 p.m.
OASIS Senior Center
801 Narcissus Avenue
Corona del Mar, California 92625

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

4 p.m.
City Council Chambers
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660

THE [M] FACTOR FILM SCREENING WITH Q&A

6:30 p.m.
Newport Beach Central Library - FRIENDS MEETING ROOM
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR MEETING

10 a.m.
via Zoom

LIBRARY LIVE: JAVIER ZAMORA IN CONVERSATION WITH GUSTAVO ARELLANO

7 p.m.
Newport Beach Central Library, Friends Meeting Room
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92660

SEE FULL SCHEDULE >>

@cityofnewportbeach

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