November 4, 2025
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: James Burton, Captain
APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: San Jacinto DFR Drone Program
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the San Jacinto DFR Drone Program.
DISCUSSION:
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) conducted a drone pilot program at the San Jacinto Station from July 7 to August 15, 2025. Attached is a presentation made to RSO with data about how the pilot program was a successful “force multiplier.” Based on this success, Captain Burton is requesting approval to buy equipment and start and maintain an ongoing drone program, operated by existing staff. The attached order form details the equipment, services and software being purchased for an estimated $820,095, payable over the next five fiscal years.
RSO seems impressed enough with the pilot program to recommend this drone program for all of its contract cities. Each drone program would be added to RSO’s “real time crime center” with an as-of-yet unknown cost addition to the City’s regular invoice for contract public safety services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs for the drone program were not known or included in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget, so $185,628 for the first year would affect the General Fund. However, based on the first three months of invoices, projected savings on RSO contract services would absorb these additional costs. The future costs would be included in the proposed Budget each year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Skydio - 250820_City of San Jacinto _ Riverside CSO_OF_Q-39681 DFR Power Point