Community Corner
🌱 Will Chula Vista’s 911 drones soon be run by Flock Safety?
Also, don't miss Sweetwater Valley Civic Association presents the State of Bonita on the Chula Vista Patch calendar
Hello again Chula Vista! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will Chula Vista's 911 drones soon be run by Flock Safety?
- Why did Chula Vista approve a disputed downtown business district report?
- How Chula Vista's 150 license-plate cameras track cars and fight crime
Also on today's calendar: Sweetwater Valley Civic Association presents the State of Bonita and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 80 and low of 66 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 81, low: 63.
- Thursday: Sunny and beautiful, with a high of 79 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. California city may hand 911 drones to Flock as cities nationwide cut ties (thecooldown.com) — Chula Vista officials are considering shifting the city's pioneering 911 police drone program to Flock Safety's Aerodome system, a move they say could save about $1.2 million a year and expand coverage. Privacy advocates, however, warn that partnering with a major surveillance vendor could intensify concerns about constant monitoring and how police technology shapes everyday life in Chula Vista. 
2. Chula Vista council approves downtown association's annual report (sandiegouniontribune.com) — Chula Vista's City Council has approved the 2026 annual report for the Downtown Chula Vista business improvement district, despite sharp criticism from some local business owners over transparency and governance. The report details nearly $1 million in spending on sidewalk cleaning, events like Taste of Third Avenue, and administration, while councilmembers signaled they may scrutinize the district's structure as renewal talks move ahead.
3. As Flock continues to make national headlines, here's the deal with the surveillance tech in San Diego (sandiegouniontribune.com) — Chula Vista now operates 150 automated license plate reader cameras that logged about 1.25 million vehicles in a recent month, with police crediting them in solving serious crimes and noting several cameras have been vandalized or stolen. The story explains where ALPRs are deployed across the county, how long data is kept, and the growing privacy backlash and legal fights shaping how this technology is used.
4. Katina Gonzalez-Rondeau (ballotpedia.org) — Voters in Chula Vista's Elementary School District Area 3 will choose among Katina Gonzalez-Rondeau, Norma Lozoya Toothman, and Leticia Segura for a nonpartisan board seat in the November 3, 2026 general election. The profile notes that Ballotpedia is still gathering endorsements and that Gonzalez-Rondeau has not yet completed its candidate survey, which helps residents compare where contenders stand on key school issues.
5. The Data Center Backlash Is Here — and Big Tech Is Spending Big to Combat It (kqed.org subscription) — Chula Vista's own state Sen. Steve Padilla is leading two major data center bills in Sacramento, putting a local lawmaker at the center of a high-stakes fight between tech giants, utilities, and consumer advocates. The article details how companies like Amazon and Anthropic are spending heavily to influence new rules on who pays for grid upgrades, how much water centers can use, and how tightly they're environmentally regulated.
📸 Around Chula Vista
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Chula Vista
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Sweetwater Valley Civic Association presents the State of Bonita →
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Rd, Bonita
5:30 pm
Thursday September 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Varsity Flag Football vs. Montgomery
Castle Park Senior High Castle Park High School, 1395 Hilltop Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91911
5:45 pm - Parent Coffee in the MPR - Interpreter confirmed
Palomar Microsoft Teams Meeting
8:15 am - Family Stories Session 2
Rohr, Fred H Chula Vista, CA 91911
8:30 am - All About Preschool: Where Learning and Play Come Together
Harborside 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910
10:00 am - JV Flag Football vs. Montgomery
Castle Park Senior High Castle Park High School, 1395 Hilltop Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91911
4:30 pm - WishWell - Family Circles
Rancho Del Rey Middle CAC
5:30 pm - Minimum Day - Early Release
Options Secondary Chula Vista, CA 91911 - Paws & Read
Rohr, Fred H Chula Vista, CA 91911
8:15 am - Del Mar/San Diego MEGA Reptile Expo - Sept. 19-20, 2026 →
Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
10:00 am
Wednesday September 2
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Saturday September 19
📣 Chula Vista Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Benefits Overview: Health Savings Accounts and Health Reimbursement
Allen, Ella B. Microsoft Teams Meeting
3:30 pm - Pastries with Principal & ELAC Meeting
Sunnyside Microsoft Teams Meeting
6:00 pm - Labor Day- No School
Allen, Ella B. Bonita, CA 91902 - Payroll Week
Bell (6-8) San Diego, CA 92139
Tuesday September 1
Thursday September 3
Monday September 7
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Any trash removal company recommendations?
Would like this removed, left behind from last owner. Chula Vista 91911 area. (Nextdoor Chula Vista Proper)
- Sweetwater Union High School District posted a job opening for Girls Wrestling Coach (CLE25-196-SOH) - SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL in Chula Vista. Apply here.
- Marriott Hotels & Resorts posted a job opening for Recreation Attendant - Part Time in Chula Vista. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chula Vista here.
Ok Chula Vista! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.