San Diego continues to modernize public safety with the San Diego Police Department’s new Real-Time Operations Center, a centralized hub that brings together technology, data, and personnel to support officers with real-time information during critical incidents and major events.  

Operational since April 2025, the center is already helping solve cases more efficiently and maximize limited resources through smart use of technology. Made possible in part through support from the San Diego Police Foundation and community donors, this investment reflects our focus on innovation, officer safety, and keeping San Diego one of the safest big cities in America. 

The Rose Canyon Safe Parking Program continues to deliver results for families working to exit homelessness, and recent improvements to the site’s common space are strengthening that impact. 

Operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego, the program has helped families move from vehicle living into more secure housing since opening in 2023, providing a safe, stable place to sleep while connecting participants to housing-focused support. 

New upgrades to the common area—including appliances, furnishings, electrical improvements, and welcoming design elements—were made possible through generous community support from Hanna and Mark Gleiberman and partners such as HomeAid San Diego, Humble Design San Diego, and Swinerton. 

These improvements enhance dignity and create a functional space for meetings, support services, and community connection, reinforcing our partnership with Jewish Family Service to ensure families have both safety and a real pathway forward into stable housing. 

New analysis by the California Department of Finance shows San Diego is growing faster than nearly every other major California metro, driven by policies that make it easier to build housing in the urban core. 

The analysis finds that, “Few cities in California have been as aggressive in attacking the state’s crisis of housing supply and affordability as San Diego.” That approach is helping reverse pandemic-era population losses while early data show rents and home prices beginning to trend downward. Read the Times of San Diego op-ed.

One example of that progress is Bridge to Home, the City’s gap financing that closes critical funding gaps, allowing stalled housing projects to move forward and deliver homes faster. Bridge to Home has helped create more than 2,100 affordable homes across 23 developments citywide, connecting residents to housing near transit, jobs, and schools — and to services that help stabilize families and reduce homelessness. Read the San Diego Union-Tribune story on Bridge to Home. 

In our last trivia feature, we asked: Which San Diego neighborhood was originally developed as a streetcar suburb and is now known for its historic Craftsman homes and vibrant business district? 

Here’s how you voted: 

✅ North Park — 58.13% (118) 
▪️ Ocean Beach — 3.45% (7)  
▪️ University Heights — 38.42% (78)  

The correct answer is North Park — a neighborhood that grew up around early streetcar lines and today is celebrated for its classic Craftsman architecture and bustling local shops and restaurants. University Heights does have Craftsman homes and was influenced by early transit, which is why a lot of people chose it. The key difference is how the neighborhood is historically defined. North Park is widely documented as one of San Diego’s classic “streetcar suburbs.” 

This week’s question: In my first-ever State of the City address, which I delivered virtually in 2021 from the San Ysidro library, I made clear that San Diego could not move forward without tackling one issue head-on. Which challenge did I identify as central to the city’s recovery and long-term success?

▪️ Creating a new citywide marketing slogan
▪️ Launching a City cryptocurrency or digital token
▪️ Reducing homelessness and expanding housing options

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

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.

The Parks and Recreation Department is 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

• Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026: All Council Districts
  11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026: All Council Districts
  4 p.m.

Register to attend: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8494849/San-Diego-Parks-and-Rec-Community-Focus-Group-Registration 

Questions: sdparksneeds@keenindependent.com 

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

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. 

 
Learn more about Plaza Central events.