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:

More brush rigs, new helicopter coming soon for San Diego Fire-Rescue (San Diego Union-Tribune)

San Diego’s peak fire season is here, and I’m glad to see San Diego Fire-Rescue adding two new brush rigs, a night‑flying helicopter, and a high‑tech mobile command unit to keep our neighborhoods safe. Look, I’ve been vocal about the fact that Mayor Gloria and I haven’t agreed on everything in recent months — but credit where credit is due. These investments are the right call for public safety, and kudos Mayor for making them.

As always, preparedness starts at home: clear brush around your property, make a family plan, and sign up for emergency alerts. You can also request a free home wildfire risk assessment from SDFD and download the Genasys Protect app so you’re ready if evacuations are needed. Public safety is job number one, and I’ll keep pushing for the tools and training our firefighters need.

Breaking Ground on Mixed-Use, Transit-Oriented Housing in Mission Valley

This week I joined SDSU, AvalonBay Communities, and community partners to break ground on the very first residential and retail project at SDSU Mission Valley — a major milestone years in the making.

Right next to Snapdragon Stadium, this new development will bring 621 sustainably built apartments, a grocery store, and walkable connections that tie our neighborhoods together. It’s just one part of SDSU’s long-term vision to create a vibrant, transit-connected community with housing, parks, and open space for San Diegans. I’m proud to support this project and can’t wait to see it take shape.

New Safe Parking Lot in Grantville to Help People Living in Vehicles

City, County, and Federal governments, Republicans and Democrats — the only way we are going to truly address our homelessness issue is by working together. No politics, no showboating, just public servants rowing in the same direction to get it done.

That sort of collaboration is what led to such an exciting moment yesterday: the grand opening of a brand-new Safe Parking Lot in Grantville. There, those in need will not only have a safe place to sleep in their vehicles overnight but will also be offered services and connections to longer-term housing.

The best part: one day, this site will be turned into hundreds of units of affordable housing for seniors and other San Diegans in need. But thanks to the leadership of Supervisor Joel Anderson and others, the site will go to good use as a Safe Parking Lot in the meantime before that housing project becomes a reality.

Thank you again to Supervisor Anderson, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, County staff, and all who worked together on this project. Together, we can make a dent in the homelessness crisis by using strategies that are backed by data and truly work to connect folks to housing — and there is zero doubt in my mind that Safe Parking Lots are one of the absolute best and most cost-effective strategies we have at our disposal.

What You’re Saying…

Raul, I read your email and appreciate your common sense voting. I think it's obvious to most people when a politician is voting for special interests or is voting for the public good. Please keep the road repairs going. The Democrats insane positions have prompted me to vote against all Democrats but you have my vote because you vote for the people and Common Sense. Please keep that going. I'm sure I'm not the only one. – Richard

Richard — thank you so much for the kind words. I’m convinced that the best politics is simply good public service, and there’s nothing more basic than smooth, safe roads. My team and I are pressing hard to repave aging streets, fill every pothole we find, and make sure your tax dollars actually show up on your block. Your note is yet another reminder that common-sense, neighborhood-first leadership matters, and I’m grateful for your support.

If you (or anyone reading) spot a rough patch of pavement, please keep those Get it Done reports, emails and photos coming; they help me fight for the resources District 7 deserves. Together, we’ll keep fixing our streets and proving that city government can work for everyone.

Thank you for your Raul Roundup; it keeps our District apprised of the many issues affecting San Diego.

I especially appreciated your article on kindness in the last Roundup. I forwarded it to our son, who is a high school principal in San Diego. The 3 takeaways are what he hopes are instilled in his students, families, and staff.

Your communication and transparency to your constituents is a big reason you were elected. Keep up the good work!

Connie L

PS: I’m still hoping that Cowles Mountain Blvd. south of Fire Station 34 will be repaved in my lifetime.

Connie, thank you for the sweet note. Your son sounds like a stand up guy – I bet I know where he got those qualities from… 😊

The whole idea with sharing these articles on kindness is to inspire people like yourself to reflect on kindness in your own lives. I’m glad they are having the intended effect.

As for Cowles Mountain Blvd: I hear you. A number of residents have reached out to us about it, and for good reason.

Here’s the good news: two portions of Cowles Mtn Blvd – between Jackson Dr and Lake Adlon Dr, and between Gloria Lake Ave and a little past Blue Lake Dr, respectively – are funded and set to receive mill and pave treatments this fiscal year, i.e. before June 30 of next year. I’m sure you and many other residents cannot wait; neither can we!

Thank You for Recycling Your E-Waste!

Thanks to the hundreds of residents who came out Saturday morning to recycle your e-waste with us and Nerd Recycling! Rafael and I had a great time saying hi to so many friendly neighbors (whenever he wasn’t running around with a soccer ball).

We’re already looking forward to the next one – more details to come on that! This event was targeted at residents of Tierrasanta, Serra Mesa, Mission Valley, and Linda Vista, while the next event will be targeted at folks from the Navajo area -- so if you are in Navajo and did not hear about this event in advance, do not fret. An e-waste event for you is in the works!