Is the helicopter flying near your house?
If ASTREA is broadcasting a message in your area, you can text “Hello” to (858) 866-HELO (4356) to receive the announcement by text.
ASTREA, the helicopter you may see or hear overhead at times, is one of the many tools we use to help keep our community safe. Operated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, ASTREA supports us when an aerial view is needed, and we’re grateful to call on their assistance often.
We may request ASTREA’s help to search for someone connected to a crime, locate a missing at-risk child or senior or provide an overhead view of a serious incident such as a traffic collision.
While ASTREA offers valuable support from above, the majority of the work is done on the ground by our officers, who are actively working in the area.
We understand that announcements from the helicopter can sometimes be difficult to hear or understand. To help, the Sheriff’s Department offers a service called AutoHelo.
We may also use social media and other communication tools to keep you informed or to ask for your help when needed. Most importantly, if there’s ever something you need to know or do, we’ll make sure the message reaches you through every available channel.
