CAMARILLO, Calif. — Hundreds of local families and residents gathered at the Camarillo Airport over the weekend to interact with law enforcement officers, explore tactical equipment, and view public safety aircraft up close during the Ventura County Sheriff's Office's annual community open house.
Click here to view the official Ventura County Sheriff's Office Facebook post regarding the 11th Annual Coppers and Choppers community event.
The 11th Annual "Coppers and Choppers" event was presented by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Foundation in partnership with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit.
The free event took place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sheriff's Air Unit facility located at 375 Durley Avenue at the Camarillo Airport.
Up-Close Aviation Displays and Specialized Unit Demonstrations
The centerpiece of the weekend event was the opportunity for children and community members to tour the Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit facility. Attendees stepped inside sheriff's patrol squad cars and inspected rescue helicopters used across Ventura County for law enforcement patrols, wildland firefighting water drops, medical evacuations, and backcountry search-and-rescue operations.
The open house featured static equipment displays and interactive live demonstrations from several specialized law enforcement and emergency response divisions:
- Sheriff's Aviation Unit: Up-close static displays of public safety helicopters and flight crew equipment.
- K-9 Unit & Mounted Patrol: Working dog demonstrations and mounted horse patrol units.
- SWAT & Tactical Operations: Display of armored rescue vehicles, specialized tactical gear, and entry equipment.
- Search and Rescue (SAR): Volunteer mountain rescue teams, swift-water rescue gear, and specialized off-road vehicles.
- Bomb/Arson & Marine Enforcement: Specialized explosive ordnance disposal robots and marine patrol rescue vessels.
Strengthening Community Partnerships and Law Enforcement Outreach
Sheriff's officials emphasized that public open houses like "Coppers and Choppers" play a vital role in fostering positive relationships between law enforcement personnel and the communities they protect.
Deputies, pilots, tactical operators, and search-and-rescue volunteers were on hand throughout the afternoon to answer questions, explain daily field operations, and distribute youth safety materials.
"A big thank-you to everyone who came out this past weekend for our Coppers and Choppers event! We enjoyed meeting our community, showcasing our department’s aviation chopper and squad cars, and spending time with the families who stopped by," public safety representatives shared in an official community advisory.
"Events like this give us the opportunity to connect with the people we serve and share more about the work we do every day," the Ventura County Sheriff's Office added.
Proceeds and support raised by the Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation during the open house assist in funding specialized equipment, youth programs, and community safety initiatives across the county.
Residents interested in learning more about upcoming community events, neighborhood watch initiatives, or volunteer opportunities with the Ventura County Sheriff's Search and Rescue teams can visit the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Official Website. Event photos and department updates are available on the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Official Facebook Page.
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Published: Sep 22, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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