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At the Sheriff’s Office, our mission We provide the highest quality public safety service to everyone in San Diego County  has always been grounded in one simple principle: public safety is strongest when it is built on trust, transparency, and partnership. Every day, we work not just for our communities, but with them; listening, learning, and adapting to meet the needs of the people we proudly serve.

Maintaining your trust is not something we take lightly. It requires accountability, open communication, and a continued commitment to fairness and professionalism. Our deputies and professional staff are dedicated to upholding these values in every interaction; whether responding to emergencies, engaging in neighborhood outreach, or supporting those in our care within our facilities.

Partnerships are at the heart of this work. We are grateful for the strong relationships we share with residents, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, and community groups across the county. These collaborations allow us to proactively address challenges, prevent crime, and improve quality of life. When community members speak up, get involved, and work alongside us, we are better equipped to serve everyone safely and effectively.

Transparency remains a cornerstone of our approach. We are committed to keeping you informed about our operations, initiatives, and the steps we take to improve our services. Your feedback, whether through community meetings, surveys, or everyday conversations, helps guide our decisions and ensures we remain responsive to the communities we serve.

As we move forward, the Sheriff’s Office will continue investing in training, technology, and community-based programs that support trust and accountability. We will also continue to prioritize respectful, constitutional policing and compassionate service for all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance.

Thank you for your continued partnership and confidence in the Sheriff’s Office. Together, we can maintain safe neighborhoods, strengthen community bonds, and build a future rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility.

Sheriff Kelly Martinez reflects on an incredible year of progress and partnership. In 2025, the Sheriff’s Office advanced its mission to keep communities safe through innovation, collaboration, and compassion.

Sheriff Kelly A. Martinez, 

• Emergency Services:
  • ASTREA answered 5,535 calls, performed 102 rescues, and completed 963 water drops on 283 fire calls.
  • Bomb/Arson handled 69 fire calls and 155 explosive device calls.

• Crime Lab:
  • Completed nearly 8,000 requests and welcomed 750 visitors during 29 public tours.

• Communications:
  • CAD modernization with Mark43 on track for mid-2026 launch.
  • Introduced Remote Communications Unit for non-emergency calls.
  • Responder Ready Youth Academy: 57 students gained life-saving experience and leadership skills.

On the line for public safety

Sheriff’s Communications Center in action

• Special Operations:
  • Served 64 high-risk warrants, resolved 10 barricaded suspect incidents, and completed 2,406 drone flights.
  • K9 teams completed 213 explosives and 2,330 narcotics detection deployments.

• Major Investigations:
  • Operation Takeback America: 22 indictments, dismantled two trafficking cells, seized large quantities of narcotics and firearms.
  • Operation Kiwi Crush: Disrupted cannabis ring, seizing $1.3M and 82 pallets of products.

• Community Impact:
  • Rise Above Youth Program: Expanded this new Sheriff's youth empowerment program to four communities with 256 graduates.
  • Hosted 5 Gun Safety Events, collecting 831 firearms and distributing over 200 lock boxes and cable locks.
  • Crime Prevention Unit participated in 485 events and launched fraud prevention campaigns.

Looking Ahead to 2026

• Launch Mark43 CAD system.
• Expand Rise Above to Solana Beach.
• Open new substations in Ramona and White Star.
• Continue drone innovation and deepen partnerships to combat gun violence, human trafficking, and dismantle narcotics networks.

Every statistic represents lives saved, harm prevented, and communities strengthened. Thank you for your trust and support as we continue serving San Diego County.

The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to illuminate the path toward justice, dignity, and unity for all communities. This month, Sheriff Kelly Martinez and members of her Executive Team proudly joined local leaders and organizations in celebrating Dr. King’s enduring impact.

At the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast, attendees reflected on Dr. King’s vision of equity and collective responsibility, principles that remain central to our mission of providing the highest level of public safety service. The event honored both past and present award recipients, showcasing the remarkable diversity of leadership within our community and the many individuals who carry Dr. King’s message forward through service.

Our team also participated in the 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, hosted by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. This vibrant community tradition brought together public safety agencies, local schools, colleges and universities, fraternities and sororities, churches, youth groups, and dozens of creative floats. The energy, pride, and unity on display were a powerful reminder of Dr. King’s belief in the strength of community and the importance of coming together in shared purpose.

Looking ahead, we are honored to continue celebrating Black history and culture by participating in the 3rd Annual House of USA African American Heritage Celebration. The event will take place on Saturday, February 28, from 1–3:30 p.m. at the Hall of Nations in Balboa Park, where a Live Museum experience will highlight the stories, achievements, and contributions of African Americans throughout history. We are eager to engage with community members and supporting this meaningful celebration.

As we move forward, we remain committed to leading with empathy, integrity, and collaboration. Dr. King’s legacy challenges each of us to build bridges, lift up our voice, empower others, and work toward a more just and compassionate society. May his example continue to guide our actions and inspire our service every day.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In 2025, San Diego Sheriff's Office responded to over 4,200 missing persons calls in unincorporated areas of the County, as well as Sheriff's contract cities.  These missing persons incidents cover a wide-range of circumstances including voluntary missing adults, runaway juveniles, missing "at-risk" individuals (people with no prior history of being missing, disappearances under suspicious circumstances, victims of family abduction, or those with mental, cognitive, or developmental impairment).

One of the biggest myths that is constantly perpetuated to the public is that someone needs to wait 24-hours to report anyone missing.  This is false, and in fact the San Diego Sheriff's Office encourages people to file missing persons reports as soon as possible.  The sooner Sheriff's Deputies have vital information about someone who has gone missing, we can start using the appropriate resources to help quickly locate and reunite loved ones. 

In missing persons cases, the San Diego Sheriff's Office can deploy a wide array of support to missing persons investigations, such as Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter (to make announcements in neighborhoods where a missing person may be, as well as to provide aerial imaging to help locate a missing person), Sheriff's Unmanned Aerial Support team (also for searching and airborne imaging of large areas), Sheriff's Search and Rescue (for large-scale ground searches in urban and rural environments), and Senior Volunteer Patrols (door-to-door searches and missing person flyer distribution).  We encourage people to not delay in reporting as we can then evaluate the best resources to reunite missing persons with their families and loved ones.

The San Diego Sheriff's Office encourages anyone who lives in our jurisdiction and cares for a special needs individual to consider participation in the Sheriff's "Take Me Home" program, which allows participants to register information and photographs of their loved ones with communications limitations, that is placed in the Sheriff's dispatch system.  If these individuals have gone missing from home and are contacted by deputies in the field, it assists law enforcement in safely identifying them and helping in returning the individual home. It is intended to serve people with autism, Down syndrome, cognitive disabilities or senior citizens who have dementia and other medical conditions. This information is confidential and can only be accessed by law enforcement in an emergency. Register "Take Me Home" | San Diego County Sheriff

Additionally, the San Diego Sheriff's Office encourages participation in the "Blue Envelope Program."  This program can assist when a missing individual with special needs has been located in the field by deputies, the blue envelope will better help deputies determine communication and accommodation needs to assist in reunification.  The Blue Envelope Program does not have a registry component; therefore, the program is voluntary and self-implemented.  Blue Envelope Program | San Diego County Sheriff

The San Diego Sheriff's Office also investigates long-term missing persons cases for both adults and juveniles. These are cases where a loved-one has been missing or has runaway from home for an extended period of time, and was unable to be located with immediate resources, or may be missing in San Diego County from different parts of the state, country, or world.

The San Diego Sheriff's Office assigns these cases either to detectives at the appropriate Sheriff's Station where the missing person may have been last seen or last known to reside in.  Some cases are also investigated by the Sheriff's Missing Persons/Homicide Unit.  The public is encouraged to visit the NamUs website for information on missing adults (Home | NamUs), which allows users to build a profile with information and photos of their missing loved one, and is searchable by the public and law enforcement.  We also encourage people to visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which offers resources for missing youth.  

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is committed to transparency and community engagement as we plan for the future of detention services in North County. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, we invite you to join us for a public forum to discuss a new Vista Detention Facility.

This event is an opportunity to:

• Learn why modernization is critical for safety, health care, and rehabilitation.
• Hear about the current planning process.
• Share your input and ideas on design priorities, programming needs, and potential community impact.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Morris B. Vance Community Room | Vista City Hall Complex 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista

Register to receive updates on parking and accommodations. If translation or other services are needed, please email: community@sdsheriff.gov.

Why Modernization Matters

The Vista Detention Facility, built in 1972 and expanded in 1978 and 1988, is the oldest of seven jails in San Diego County. With a rated capacity of 807 beds, VDF serves as the sole booking facility for both males and females in North County, supporting cities such as Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Tribal Communities, and surrounding areas.

After more than 50 years, the facility has surpassed its useful life. Outdated infrastructure limits space for programs and services that support rehabilitation and reentry. Modern detention facilities incorporate evidence-based solutions for safety, health care, and education—features that are largely infeasible at VDF in its current configuration.

Protect Your Personal Information
Personal information includes details such as your full name, home address, phone number, date of birth, school or workplace, passwords, and financial information. Once shared online, this information can be difficult—or impossible—to take back.

Safety tips for everyone:
• Avoid sharing personal details on public websites, comment sections, or forums
• Never give out passwords, verification codes, or login information
• Be cautious of emails, texts, or messages asking for personal information—even if they appear to come from a trusted source
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible

If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and do not engage.

Think Before You Post: Social Media Safety
Social media makes it easy to share moments from our lives, but oversharing can unintentionally expose personal information.

Keep these tips in mind:
• Review your privacy settings and limit who can see your posts
• Avoid posting your location in real time or sharing travel plans publicly
• Be mindful of photos that show addresses, license plates, school names, or work locations
• Remember that once something is posted, it can be saved, shared, or viewed beyond your intended audience

A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t want a stranger to know it, don’t post it.

Internet Safety for Teens & Youth
Teens and youth spend a significant amount of time online through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps. While these spaces can be fun and social, they can also expose young users to individuals who may not have good intentions.

Important reminders for youth:
• Never share personal information, including your full name, school, address, or phone number
• Do not talk to strangers online—even if they seem friendly or say they know someone you trust
• Never agree to meet someone you’ve only interacted with online
• Tell a trusted adult if something online makes you feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused

Online strangers are still strangers—even behind a screen.

Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an essential role in helping children and teens navigate the digital world safely.

Steps parents can take:
• Enable parental controls on devices, apps, and gaming systems
• Regularly review privacy settings and app permissions
• Monitor which platforms and games your child is using
• Have open conversations about online behavior, scams, and red flags
• Encourage children to report uncomfortable online experiences without fear of punishment

Open communication helps children feel supported and protected.

Reporting Online Crimes: Social Media Is Not a Police Report
While social media platforms allow users to report posts, messages, or accounts, reporting content on social media does not replace reporting a crime. Platform reports help companies enforce their own rules—but they do not notify law enforcement or start an investigation.

If you believe you are a victim of a crime, suspicious activity, or an immediate threat:
• Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency
• For non-emergency incidents, contact the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office at 858-868-3200

Reporting directly to law enforcement ensures the incident is properly documented and handled by trained professionals. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it.

Stay Alert. Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
Online safety is a shared responsibility. By protecting personal information, practicing smart social media habits, guiding youth, and reporting concerns directly to law enforcement, we can help create a safer online environment for everyone.

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