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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2025
VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Furthering its commitment to enhanced public safety, the City of Victorville will deploy a Drones as First Responder Program (DFR) to respond more effectively to emergencies, protect lives, and enhance operational efficiency. Earlier this month, the Victorville City Council unanimously approved a three-year service agreement with BRINC Drones, Inc. to implement the Drone as First Responder Program in the first quarter of 2026. When complete, Victorville will be the first contract city with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to use drones as first responder technology.
Victorville’s DFR Program will comprise a network of drones strategically positioned throughout the City at automated launch sites prepared to respond to service calls. The drones will be remotely operated by an FAA-licensed pilot.
Each drone has an onboard camera that will stream high-definition video to the Victorville Police Department’s real-time crime center, providing information on the service call, such as the location of the disturbance, relevant descriptions, and direction of travel.
Since drones provide overwatch, they are useful in confirming or ruling out the presence of weapons and any other safety concerns, which is a valuable de-escalation tool. Overall, the use of drones greatly enhances situational awareness for responding officers.
The City of Victorville’s Drones as First Responder program is the latest enhancement to the City’s Real-Time Information Center, following the City’s deployment of ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology this past June and the completion of a network of 123 automatic license plate readers strategically located throughout the City. These tools not only allow for more efficient policing but also support transparency, faster emergency response, apprehension of suspects, effective criminal investigation, and proactive crime prevention.
“By aligning our investments with community needs and data-driven strategies, we aim to create safer neighborhoods and ensure that every dollar spent delivers measurable value to the people we serve,” said Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra. “Equipping our emergency responders with the technology they need to be more effective and proactive is an important strategy in our efforts to increase safety in Victorville.”
The City of Victorville has entered into a professional services agreement with BRINC Drones, Inc. for an initial three-year period at a total cost of $831,929.18. The contract fees are being paid for with Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds made available through Assembly Bill 3229 to support front-line municipal police services.
Located in Southern California at the high-point between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Victorville is the leading city for both industry and retail in the High Desert Region. Victorville is a growing, vibrant community that is home to approximately 136,000 residents and some of the area’s largest employers, including the City-operated Southern California Logistics Airport. Clean air, abundant mountain vistas, family-friendly recreation activities, spectacular sunsets, and breathtaking night skies entice locals and visitors alike to fall in love with this city that is within a few hours of SoCal beaches, National Parks, mountain retreats, and other major attractions. Ontario International Airport is less than an hour away. Learn more about the City of Victorville at VictorvilleCA.gov.
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