Rialto · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Rialto public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Ambulance fleet replacement
The city is buying 13 mechanical CPR devices and 4 cardiac monitors so every frontline 911 unit runs the same equipment — better training and better cardiac arrest care.
SBA Disaster Loans for December Storms
An SBA rep told the council that low-interest disaster loans are available for San Bernardino County residents and businesses hit by the December 16–26 storms — deadlines are April 6 for physical damage and November 9 for economic injury.
Countywide ambulance service transition (Confire taking over from AMR)
On October 1 the county's fire agency takes over ambulance service in the largest such transition in the U.S. Rialto Fire has set up an incident management team and response plan to keep EMS coverage uninterrupted, and will bring back an interfacility transport agreement around January.
Federal immigration enforcement near Rialto schools
Three speakers described masked, unidentified agents detaining people near Rialto schools, causing attendance to drop. The mayor and police chief explained SB 54 bars local police from assisting federal immigration enforcement, and the department won't ask crime victims about immigration status.
Fire Station 201 and 204 improvement projects
After cars crashed into Fire Station 201 — including one just last week — the city is building exterior safety protections. The council approved the $937,665 construction contract but held back a $188,965 construction-management change order, demanding competitive pricing from other on-call contractors.
Police recognition and COPS TV filming
Two officers were honored for saving a choking toddler, the police headquarters earned gold-level green building status, and the COPS television program will film Rialto PD this fall for its 40th-anniversary season.
Cybersecurity and Network Infrastructure Replacement
The city's core network equipment is at end-of-life and losing security updates, exposing the city to cyberattacks. The council bought new switches and firewalls to build layered defenses.
Police drone technology shared with Fire Department
Police Chief Mark Kling showed the council live drone footage with heat signatures from a recent fire, and Fire Chief Chris Jensen explained how it helps crews know what they're rolling into. Rialto is positioning itself as a regional leader in public safety tech.
Recognition of life-saving 911 response
Mayor Pro Tem Scott and Council Member Montoya will honor the dispatchers, officers, and paramedics who saved a choking three-year-old on August 5 — and they want the mother and child there too.
Fire Station 1 vehicle strikes and rebuilding
More than seven cars have crashed into Fire Station 1, and Mayor Baca wants the council to start planning to rebuild or relocate it. Council Member Montoya noted insurance money has been in hand for years while firefighters remain in portable buildings.
Fire department radio contract
The city locked in a five-year deal with the county for fire radios and dispatch — there's no alternative provider, since the county owns the system.
Jail Staffing Contract
A new state rule requires a female jailer on duty at all times, so the city is adding jailers through a five-year, $4.1 million Allied Universal contract to keep officers in the field instead of booking prisoners.
Homeless Services Funding
The council renewed the SWAG homeless outreach contract at roughly $814,000 a year, crediting it with cutting the counted homeless population from 156 to 44. Some residents questioned the cost per person.
Citywide Public Safety Cameras
The police department is buying 30 new body cameras and 20 car cameras for $1.25 million, expanding the program Rialto pioneered nationally.
Warehouse Fire Safety and Inspections
After a weekend fire at an Amazon warehouse and a Korean barbecue fire that shut a business down, council members pushed for proactive warehouse inspections, specialized firefighting equipment for battery and high-heat fires, and an additional tiller ladder truck. Mayor Pro Tem Scott said better inspections might have caught the barbecue fire before it destroyed the business.
Fireworks Enforcement Team
Police will field a dedicated sergeant and four officers against illegal fireworks from June 14 through July 5, including undercover buys against Facebook Marketplace sellers.
Traffic Safety and Impaired Driving
Two Eisenhower High students presented sobering stats — Rialto ranks 4th of 61 comparable cities for alcohol-involved crashes — and urged more prevention campaigns, signage and DUI outreach. Mayor Pro Tem Scott, whose son was killed by an impaired driver, invited them to his annual MADD walk.
Public Comment Time Limit and Meeting Rules
The council nearly cut public comment from 5 minutes to 3, but restored the full 5 minutes after pushback from Scott and Carrizales. New rules also cover Zoom participation, muting disruptive remote speakers, and how items get on the agenda.
Special-needs youth in the juvenile system
A Rialto mother described her son's two months in juvenile detention and six in placement after his disability-related IEP information wasn't reviewed. She's asking for better coordination between probation and schools.
Tenant habitability and retaliation concerns
A tenant organizer reported uninhabitable conditions, five retaliatory eviction filings, and alleged misuse of city fire inspections to harass tenants at Townhouse Village Apartments. She's starting a Rialto tenants union and asked the city for help.
River Ranch neighborhood safety and camera technology
Mayor Baca raised theft concerns at River Ranch; the police chief confirmed license-plate cameras exist at entrances and said more real-time neighborhood cameras are coming as intersection camera systems come online.
Massage parlor moratorium
The city extended its temporary ban on new or expanded massage parlors while staff write permanent zoning and regulatory standards aligned with new state law. Council members stressed making sure parlors aren't fronts for other activity.
Heat Wave and Power Shutoff Preparedness
Edison predicts 30 heat wave days this year versus 14 last year, meaning more preventive power shutoffs. The mayor pro tem wants a battery assistance program like Norwalk's for seniors and medically vulnerable residents.
Weed Abatement and Fire Hazard Reduction
The city inspects about 225 vacant parcels twice a year and clears weeds on non-compliant properties, recovering costs through property tax bills. It's one of the fire department's key prevention tools.
Fire apparatus fleet replacement
Three rigs up to 22 years old failed their fleet inspections, so the city is leasing two new engines and a 107-foot aerial truck for $5.75 million over five years. It keeps firefighters safe and reliable, but it's a big long-term commitment.
ADA service animal access
Councilmember Montoya, a disabled veteran, described being yelled at and ordered out of a Rialto store because of his service dog. He asked the city to educate businesses on ADA requirements, and the mayor suggested partnering with the Chamber of Commerce.
Fire Department Cardiac Care Recognition and Fire Chief Appointment
The Fire Department earned the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline Gold Award — the highest national recognition for pre-hospital cardiac care — and the city manager permanently appointed Chris Jensen as fire chief after seven months in the interim role.
Terrorism Preparedness Concerns Raised by Resident
A resident asked whether the city has a plan to protect the public from a potential terrorist attack targeting the gas tank farm in south Rialto. The mayor said the fire chief and police are exploring developing a plan.
County Mutual Aid Agreements for Emergency Work
Rialto renewed agreements letting San Bernardino County crews help with emergency repair and maintenance work, up to $100,000 a year for five years — a safety net for storm damage and other emergencies.
Police robot dog purchase
Rialto PD is buying a $380,255 Spot robot dog — only the second in the region — for tactical situations and community events, with the public invited to name it.
Public records request delays
A resident told the council his records requests have sat unanswered for over 20 days while he pursues a complaint against a city employee, raising fairness concerns.
Pre-hospital Ultrasound Program
Rialto Fire paramedics are using handheld ultrasound in the field for trauma and cardiac arrest patients, part of a clinical study with about 90% reported accuracy — one of only four agencies in the region doing it.
Fire Station Apparatus Bay Doors
Bay doors at Fire Stations 203 and 204 have become unreliable, so the council spent $495,500 to replace them — treated as a life-safety matter.
134 Willow Avenue property receivership
In closed session the council voted unanimously to start a receivership action on the property at 134 Willow Avenue — a tool to fix problem properties when owners won't.
Vista View Apartment Fire Victim Housing and Recovery
Two months after the fire, three families are still in a hotel waiting for safe apartments, and residents say they've heard nothing about the GoFundMe relief funds. A resident advocate asked the city to set up the promised meeting between property management and victims, and pressed on code enforcement of rental housing safety.
Police Misconduct Settlement
Rialto is paying out a hefty $1.5 million to settle a police misconduct case. The settlement comes after an officer was caught on video tackling a young woman, and he's now facing criminal charges. This raises questions about how this affects the city's budget and police department practices.