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Rialto Record 02/05/26

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W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD

Vol 24, NO. 26

February 05, 2026

Rialto Community Celebrates Knights’ Newly Lit Baseball Field After $1.2M ARPA Investment

IECN.com

San Bernardino Receives $1.031 Million in Federal Funds to Expand the Use of Tech in the Police Department Pg. 3

PHOTO CHRISTOPHER SALAZAR Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., presents a $2,500 check to the Rialto Knights baseball program beneath the new baseball field lights at Rialto High School on Jan. 27.

By Christopher Salazar

A

crowd of roughly 75 parents, alumni, student-athletes and elected officials celebrated the unveiling of Rialto High School’s newly installed baseball field lights. Following a $1.2 million investment as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Knights, and

the broader Rialto community, may now enjoy extended occasions to practice and play what many consider to be America’s favorite pastime. The Biden administration passed ARPA in 2021, a $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package, to help the nation recover from the impact of COVID-19, including investments to address public health, state and

city shortfalls, and infrastructure and public service improvements. Passed through a budget reconciliation, ARPA greatly expanded aid following the 2020 CARES Act. Congressman Pete Aguilar, who represents the 33rd Congressional District of California, supported ARPA, which provided $30 million directly to Rialto. RHS Baseball cont. on next pg.

Rialto PD’s Real-Time Crime Center Gets $1.03M Boost as Drone-First Responder Program Nears Launch lance, software, and AI-driven technology through the company’s Officer Safety Plan 10 (OSP 10). The AI agreement was adopted as part of a 2025-26 budget amendment allowing the city to lock in contract pricing, service continuity and reduce administrative costs. Even so, the expansion of AI-assisted policing and surveillance tools prompted privacy and data governance concerns.

People’s State of the City Highlights Gaps in Riverside’s “Leveling Up” Vision Pg. 4

Happy Black History Month! Pg. 8

PHOTO AGUILAR’S OFFICE Rialto Mayor Joe Baca, Rep. Pete Aguilar, and Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling accepting a $1M federal check for police station technology.

By Manny Sandoval

Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com

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ep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced that he secured $1,031,000 in community project funding for the City of Rialto’s Police Station Technology, Safety and Equipment Project on Jan. 29th. This grant funding will improve public safety and security by allowing the Rialto Police Department to develop a Real-Time

Crime Center and Dispatch Center to better respond to incidents, purchase essential surveillance technology and strengthen the department’s cybersecurity. The new federal funding arrives as Rialto also expands its broader tech-policing buildout. On Nov. 25, 2025, the Rialto City Council approved a nine-year, $14.3 million contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc., formerly TASER International, expanding the police department’s surveil-

“It is crucial that our law enforcement is equipped with the tools they need to do their jobs so they can keep residents safe,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “That’s why I am so proud that I secured over $1 million in funding for the hardworking men and women of the Rialto Police Department who protect our community every day. This project will improve public safety and reduce crime by allowing the Rialto Police Department to develop a Real-Time Crime Center and Dispatch Center to more effectively monitor and respond to incidents. I’ll continue to fight for more resources that help make life better and safer for Inland Empire families.” “With Congressman Aguilar’s support, the Rialto Police Department will have the tools to respond faster and keep our community safer,” said Mayor Joe Baca, City of Rialto. “The new Real-Time Crime Center is a major step forward in protecting our residents and giving our officers the technology they need.” Rialto PD, cont. next pg.


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