Dear Neighbor,

Three months ago, the City of San Diego entered into a new partnership with Caltrans that allows our crews to access state-owned land along freeway corridors to clear encampments and connect people with shelter and services. 

This agreement covers five miles of state right-of-way around Downtown — areas that had long been off-limits to our teams despite the serious safety and health risks the encampments there posed. In just 90 days, we’ve addressed 184 encampments, removed 151 tons of trash and debris, and connected 80 people to shelter or other services. 

I want to thank Gov. Gavin Newsom, Caltrans, Sen. Catherine Blakespear, and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn for their leadership and collaboration in helping to get this done.

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor. 
 

City Puts Parking Meter Dollars to Work in Neighborhoods Where They Were Collected

The City of San Diego is turning your parking meter dollars into neighborhood improvements. Following City Council’s approval last week, the City will invest nearly two million dollars of parking meter revenue to make needed infrastructure repairs in communities where the funds were collected. City crews were out in East Village within hours of the vote, fixing streetlights and tackling long-overdue maintenance to make streets safer and brighter.

 

Before this action, parking meter revenues went into the City’s Community Parking District program consisting largely of non-profits who were expected to reinvest them back into neighborhood infrastructure.  By putting these funds directly toward maintenance rather than to another organization to do the work, the City is delivering results faster and ensuring that parking dollars work where San Diegans need them most. 

 

These funds will be used for infrastructure repairs in the very neighborhoods where they were generated, including Downtown, Uptown, Mid-City, and Pacific Beach. This means repairs to streetlights, sidewalks, and other safety upgrades that residents have long requested. 

 

This shift follows a broader effort to improve transparency and efficiency in how the City manages parking revenues.  
 

City Council to Hold Annual Review of Highly Effective License Plate Reader Technology 

Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) have been one of the San Diego Police Department’s most valuable crime fighting tools, helping solve kidnappings, shootings, hit-and-runs, car thefts, and hate crimes. Since my administration initiated the program in December 2023, ALPRs have:  

  • Led to over 420 arrests;  

  • Supported 600 criminal investigations;  

  • Recovered over $5.8 million in stolen property;  

  • Recovered over 440 stolen vehicles;
     

In 2024, ALPR aided in one-third of all homicide investigations, including six arrests, and four of those cases would not have been solvable without ALPR. Also, motor vehicle theft dropped 20 percent, and that trend has continued in 2025. 

 

SDPD continues to face a persistent staffing shortage, and ALPR serves as a force multiplier that helps our city do more with the resources we have. The system supports precision policing by alerting officers only when a vehicle is linked to a crime, reducing unnecessary stops and allowing officers to focus their time where it’s needed most. 

 

As part of the Annual Surveillance Report process under the Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) Ordinance and as directed by the City Council during the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, continued use of ALPRs is contingent on approvals of the Annual Surveillance Report at several key upcoming public meetings:  

  • Privacy Advisory Board | November 5 @ 5:30 PM  

  • Public Safety Committee | November 12 @ 2:00 PM  

  • City Council | Early December, TBD  

As your Mayor, public safety has been, and will continue to be, my top priority. Maintaining this critical crime fighting tool is paramount to ensuring San Diego continues to remain one of America’s safest big cities.   
 

City Partners with San Diego Food Bank to Support Families Impacted by Federal Shutdown

At Snapdragon Stadium, I joined the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and hundreds of volunteers to help distribute food to more than 2,000 households impacted by the federal government shutdown..

 

Nearly 400,000 San Diegans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and too many are now facing uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. No one should go hungry because of political dysfunction in Washington—and while we can’t control what happens in Congress, we can stand together as a community to ensure San Diegans get the help they need. 

 

This event was the first in a series of food distributions happening across the city in partnership with the Food Bank, San Diego State University, Jewish Family Service, and 211 San Diego. These partners are providing food, family wellness support, and information on community resources. 

 

If you or someone you know needs help, visit SanDiegoFoodBank.org/getfood or call 2-1-1 to find the nearest distribution site. 
 

City Makes Wildfire Prevention Program Permanent Following Successful Pilot

After a successful pilot phase, the City of San Diego is making its Citrotech wildfire prevention program a permanent part of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s Wildland Management and Enforcement.

 

Using an environmentally friendly, citrus-based fire inhibitor, Fire-Rescue crews are proactively treating high-risk areas across the city — including evacuation routes and sites recently cleared of encampments by City crews — to prevent fires before they start. 

 

Funded through a grant from the San Diego River Conservancy, the program equips crews with emission-free spraying equipment and GPS-tracked application tools to ensure efficiency and transparency.  

 

The Citrotech program also complements the City’s broader collaboration among Fire-Rescue, Environmental Services, Homelessness Strategies, and Neighborhood Policing teams to reduce encampment fire hazards citywide. 

 

This effort is part of San Diego’s year-round commitment to fire prevention and community safety — ensuring neighborhoods are protected long before flames ever appear. 
 

🎃💀 Mayor’s Mix: Spooky San Diego Edition! 💀🎃

Last week, we asked: The San Diego–Coronado Bridge was designed to let Navy aircraft carriers pass beneath it. What is its vertical clearance at high tide? 

Here’s how you voted: 
 
▪️ “150 feet” — 5.22% 
▪️ “200 feet” — 52.24% ✅ 
▪️ “250 feet” — 42.54% 

The correct answer is 200 feet! That impressive height allows even the Navy’s largest ships to safely pass beneath one of San Diego’s most recognizable landmarks. 

This week’s question: In San Diego, one public park was converted from an old cemetery and still holds more than 800 human remains beneath its lawns. Which park is it?

▪️ Pioneer Park
▪️ Balboa Park
▪️ Presidio Park

 

Answer below or send your guess to AskTheMayor@sandiego.gov — and check back next week to see if you got it right! 
 

GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
 

City Crews Repave Acheson Street in Linda Vista 

City crews are hard at work improving neighborhood streets as they move toward their goal of resurfacing 30 miles in Fiscal Year 2026! Crews recently completed a segment of Acheson Street in Linda Vista that had pavement condition index (PCI) scores as low as 17 — classified as “very poor.”

 

Using data from the Citywide Street Condition Assessment, Pavement Management Plan, and historical pothole repair records, these in-house teams strategically target streets most in need of attention. The permanent repairs made through the mill-and-pave program enhance safety, extend the life of our roads, and prevent future pothole repairs for years to come. 

Acheson Street in Linda Vista 
 
 

MAYOR GLORIA AROUND TOWN
 

Recognizing San Diego’s Fire-Rescue Heroes

At the annual San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Foundation Service Awards, we honored firefighters, lifeguards, paramedics, and dispatchers whose quick thinking and bravery saved lives—from structure fires and ocean rescues to the Murphy Canyon plane crash response. Their courage and service represent the very best of San Diego. 
 

Appreciating the City Teams Who Keep San Diego Moving

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, we celebrated the hardworking teams across Engineering and Capital Projects, Environmental Services, General Services, and Balboa Park. From maintaining vehicles and parks to delivering award-winning infrastructure projects, these dedicated employees keep our city running strong and beautiful for all of us. 
 

Strengthening Cross-Border Commerce in Otay Mesa

At the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce Member Breakfast, I highlighted our progress advancing infrastructure and trade—from completing $60 million in La Media Road improvements to moving forward on the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. These investments strengthen our binational economy and create good jobs for San Diegans. 
 

Volunteers Beautify and Protect Neighborhoods Along Fairmount Avenue

I joined volunteers from Kensington, Talmadge, College Area, and Alvarado Estates to pick up litter and remove fire hazards along Fairmount Avenue and Aldine Drive. Their teamwork not only beautifies the neighborhood but also enhances fire safety—proof of what community pride can accomplish when we work together. 
 

SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE 
 

International Affairs Board Forum Showcases San Diego’s Global Partnerships 

At the International Affairs Board’s annual forum, "The Power of Partnerships," I emphasized that in a moment of uncertainty and division, San Diego is offering a better way forward – a San Diego way. We are a globally minded, binational city that engages the world with decency and purpose. By strengthening international partnerships, we are creating jobs, driving innovation, and ensuring San Diego not only participates in the global economy – we win in it. 

COMMUNITY UPDATES
 

Join the La Jolla Shores Planned District Advisory Board

We invite you to consider joining the La Jolla Shores Planned District Advisory Board. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of our beloved community while helping to preserve its distinctive character.

Why Your Involvement Matters:

Protect Our Community: Help safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare of La Jolla Shores by maintaining property values and enhancing our residential charm.

Enhance Our Environment: Play a key role in controlling land development to protect our ocean-oriented setting and architectural identity.

Preserve Our Heritage: Ensure that La Jolla Shores remains one of the premier residential areas along the Pacific Coast.

Board Responsibilities:

Review and provide recommendations on permit applications, including Planned Residential Developments (PRDs), to the Planning Director.

 

Advise on necessary regulatory changes for effective execution of our community's plans.

Use established architectural criteria to assess development proposals.

This is a wonderful chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of La Jolla Shores. If you are interested in serving on the board, please reach out for more information.

 

To Apply Visit: https://onboard.sandiego.gov/board/3392
 

Help Shape the Future of Recreation Programming in San Diego

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents to help shape the future of recreation in San Diego. Community input will guide how recreation centers operate, what programs are offered, and how residents receive information about them.

 

Join an upcoming in-person Town Hall to share your ideas and feedback. Each event will include a presentation, Q&A session, and interactive tables for participants to provide input. Light snacks and childcare will be provided, and attendees will have a chance to win a $25 gift card.

Upcoming Town Halls

The Parks and Recreation Department is also inviting community leaders and representatives to 45-minute Zoom focus groups to share ideas, flag barriers to participation, and improve how we communicate about programs. Sessions include a brief presentation, Q&A, and an interactive survey. Registration is required. 

Upcoming dates (by Council Districts): 
 

Upcoming Virtual Focus Groups

  • Friday, Nov. 7, 2025: Council Districts 3, 6 and 7
    11:30 a.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 10, 2025: Council Districts 4, 8 and 9
    11 a.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025: Council Districts 1, 2 and 5
    11:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025: Council Districts 4, 8 and 9
    4 p.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025: Council Districts 3, 6 and 7
    3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025: Council Districts 1, 2 and 5
    4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026: All Council Districts
    11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026: All Council Districts
    4 p.m.

 

Questions: sdparksneeds@keenindependent.com 

 

You can also take the Community Recreation Needs Survey at sandiego.gov/parksurvey by February 28, 2026.
 

Connecting Small Businesses to Big Opportunities

The City Heights Community Development Corporation, in partnership with Zensar and Miller Public Affairs, is hosting a small business outreach event to help local entrepreneurs connect with new procurement and contracting opportunities with the City of San Diego. Attendees will have the chance to network directly with procurement and IT professionals while learning how to partner with the City. The event will be held on November 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in City Heights.

 

For more information or to register, click here.
 

San Diego Police Department Launches P.L.A.Y. Program for Youth 

The San Diego Police Department has launched P.L.A.Y. — Police Leading Adventures for Youth — a new initiative designed to strengthen relationships between officers and local youth through fun, interactive activities. The first event, “Game with a Cop,” invites kids and teens to connect with officers over board and tabletop games. 
 

Civic Center Plaza Comes Alive with Plaza Central Pop-Ups 

Downtown’s Civic Center Plaza is getting a vibrant refresh with Plaza Central — a new series of pop-up events bringing food, music, and art to the heart of the city. The activations are free and open to the public every Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a lively preview of the area’s long-term revitalization. 
 

Stay Informed with Inside San Diego

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From community updates to important City announcements, Inside San Diego is your go-to source for staying engaged and informed as a resident.

 

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San Diego, CA 92101
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