San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo here: happy Friday!

Welcome to this week's Raul Roundup, your go-to source for the latest news, updates, and insights from our community and City Hall. Here’s what’s been going on this week:

San Diego violent crime rates improve as other big cities struggle (FOX 5 KUSI)

San Diego has been one of the safest big cities in America for some time now – and per new data, there’s even more reason for optimism. Violent crime here is moving in the right direction, with homicides down nearly 30% and robberies down more than 15% compared to last year. While challenges remain, the data doesn’t lie – San Diego is leading the way on public safety.

This progress comes from a combination of community trust, strong law enforcement partnerships, and smart investments in technology like Smart Streetlights. I’ll continue to focus on ways we can enhance and protect our public safety further.

Touring the New Detox Facility at Father Joe's Villages

Just over a year ago, I stood with Father Joe’s Villages to announce a new 44-bed detox facility — a 2,200% increase from the mere two Medi-Cal eligible beds that previously existed in San Diego.

Thanks to the permitting reforms I pushed through City Council, projects like this are no longer stuck in red tape. Instead, they are becoming a reality.

On Wednesday, I toured the nearly finished facility with Father Joe’s staff. Loved this mural that they have up on one of the walls:

Huge thanks to Father Joe’s for their incredible work helping San Diegans struggling with behavioral health challenges to get back on their feet. Looking forward to this facility opening soon; if you're curious to know more about the site, click the link here.

What You're Saying

The new city approved baseline charges from SDG&E will punish customers who conserve energy and use very few kilowatts and reward the customers who use megawatts. Having only usage based fees is the only fair solution, with all customers paying their fair share percentage of the costs. What justification for this billing change structure was presented resulting in the city's approval? – Sunisa

Thanks for the message, Sunisa – this is an important point that I’d like to clear up. The City of San Diego did not vote on or approve the new billing structure. Rather, the agency that votes on that is the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC; you can find more info here.

That said, I share your frustration with how high SDG&E’s rates already are, and I’ve been outspoken about the fact that families in San Diego deserve fairer, more affordable energy bills. I will continue to push for accountability and transparency from SDG&E and the CPUC on behalf of our residents.

Cool Zones Available as Hot Temperatures Grip San Diego This Week

Important reminder this week as a heat advisory goes into effect: Cool Zones are available to make sure you stay safe. All City of San Diego libraries serve as Cool Zones during open hours; additionally, the San Carlos Recreation Center is a cool zone. See the link here for more details, as well as the below list of sites in District 7:

Allied Gardens Benjamin Library
Linda Vista Library
San Carlos Library
San Carlos Recreation Center
Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library
Tierrasanta Library

Don’t Get Hooked Guide – How to Avoid Senior Scams

Scammers are getting more sophisticated every day — and sadly, it's often our seniors who are targeted. That’s why the County’s Aging & Independence Services has put together a Stop Scams Toolkit: a helpful guide covering the most common scams, tips to protect yourself and loved ones, and where to turn if you’ve been victimized.

It’s a resource worth saving and sharing with family and friends – you can read the full guide here.