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In This Issue:
Message from the Sheriff ● Drive Sober Campaign ● Fraud & Scams ● YANA / Vacation Checks / Retail Safety ● Community Partner Awards ● Operation Pie Drive
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December is a time for reflection and celebration, filled with festive moments and cherished traditions. It’s a season to appreciate loved ones, spread kindness, and look ahead with hope for the new year.
As 2025 comes to a close, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated deputies, professional staff, and the San Diego community for their unwavering support and commitment. This year, we reached significant milestones: achieving a historic 38-year low in crime rates through proactive policing, expanding and strengthening our community engagement efforts, and enhancing wellness resources for our team. Our investment in safety equipment, training, and updated jail medical care has strengthened our operations and community trust.
Looking to 2026, we are excited to continue building on these successes. Plans include further facility upgrades, and new initiatives to enhance public safety and employee support. We remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and the well-being of San Diego County residents. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey, and we look forward to a safe, productive new year together. From our Sheriff’s family to yours, have a happy holiday season!
Stay vigilant, stay safe, and know that your Sheriff’s Office is always here to serve.
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Kelly A. Martinez, Sheriff
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December Reminder:
Don't Drive Impaired
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This holiday season, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office is reminding the public not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Deputies are conducting increased impaired driving patrols across the county from December 12 through January 1, 2026.
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So far this year, deputies have arrested more than 1,000 people for impaired driving in San Diego County. An impaired driving arrest and conviction can cost more than $15,000 in legal and court fees.
A reminder: driving under the influence doesn't just refer to alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.
If you see an impaired driver on the road, call the Sheriff's Office at (858) 868-3200.
Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
The Sheriff's Office has these tips for a safe holiday season:
- Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home
- If you're impaired, use a taxi or ride-sharing service. You can also call a sober friend/family member or use public transportation
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1 immediately
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Funding for this impaired driving enforcement program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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As the holiday season approaches, the San Diego Sheriff's Office would like to remind the community to be aware of increased fraud and scam activity. Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and criminals are using new technology to target our community. Two of the fastest-growing threats involve cryptocurrency and AI-powered imposter scams.
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Cryptocurrency Scams
Scammers often pressure victims to pay “fees,” “fines,” or “urgent bills” using Bitcoin or other digital currency because it’s fast and difficult to trace.
Red Flags:
• Anyone asking you to pay with cryptocurrency or gift cards.
• Unsolicited investment advice or guaranteed returns.
• Online relationships pushing crypto “training” or quick profits.
Protect Yourself:
Slow down, verify the information, and never send cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met in person. Law enforcement will never request payment through digital currency.
AI Imposter Scams
With artificial intelligence, scammers can clone voices, create fake videos, and craft realistic messages pretending to be loved ones, banks, or even law enforcement.
Click Here to view a quick video
Warning Signs:
• A “family member” claiming they’re in trouble and need money urgently.
• Messages demanding secrecy or immediate action.
• Emails or texts that look real but contain unusual payment requests.
Protect Yourself:
Call the person back on a known number and confirm the situation. Consider establishing a family safe word for emergencies.
Reporting
The San Diego Sheriff’s Office continues to educate the public, investigate fraud, and support those affected. If you encounter a scam or aren’t sure something is legitimate, contact us at (858) 868-3200. Reporting is a crucial part of keeping our communities safe.
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Captain Aldo Hernandez and Lieutenant Elizabeth Montoya from the Santee Sheriff's Station are distributing crime-prevention information bags to the community.
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Holiday Safety Spotlight:
Retail Safety/YANA/
Vacation Check
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The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office offers several free programs and reminders to help keep you and your home safe during the holiday season.
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Headed Out of Town?
The Sheriff's Office Offers Free Home Checks
Our Volunteer Senior Patrol can check the exterior of your home while you’re out of town. They look for anything out of place, secure delivered packages or newspapers, and report any concerns.
How to sign up: Complete the request form on our website or contact your local station. Sign up here
You Are Not Alone (YANA) Program
The You Are Not Alone (YANA) program provides daily wellness check-ins and compassionate support for seniors living alone. Volunteer Senior Patrol members call participants every weekday before 10:00 a.m., documenting each check-in and noting any special needs or upcoming appointments. This program is free to our community members.
If a participant cannot be reached after three attempts, volunteers will go directly to the home to ensure the individual is safe. When necessary, deputies and emergency medical personnel are contacted for additional assistance.
In addition to daily calls, every YANA member receives a weekly in-person visit, offering both social connection and a wellness check. Volunteers stay attentive to signs of financial, physical, or self-neglect and may refer individuals to Aging & Independence Services or Adult Protective Services when extra support is needed.
Many Sheriff’s Stations also bring added joy through holiday, birthday, and Easter visits, often delivering gift baskets as part of the program’s personal touch.
Holiday Retail Watch: Safety Tips
This time of year brings busier stores—and more opportunity for theft. Keep these simple safety practices in mind:
• Park in well-lit areas and lock your vehicle.
• Don’t leave shopping bags or valuables visible in your car.
• Stay alert while walking to and from your vehicle.
• Schedule package deliveries for when you’ll be home, ask a neighbor to help, and sign up for informed delivery.
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Volunteer Senior Patrol conducting free home checks.
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YANA in person visit from Volunteer Senior Patrol, Lt. Twyman and Crime Prevention Specialist Heather Mitchel.
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Mobile surveillance tower used for elevated monitoring
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Celebrating Community Champions: Inaugural Sheriff’s Community Partnership Awards
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In a heartfelt evening filled with gratitude, unity, and celebration, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office hosted its first-ever Sheriff’s Community Partnership Awards—a new tradition honoring the individuals, organizations, and businesses that go above and beyond in supporting public safety across the region.
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Held at a packed venue with community leaders, law enforcement personnel, and honored guests, the event spotlighted the power of collaboration in building safer, stronger neighborhoods.
“This is more than just a ceremony,” said Sheriff Kelly Martinez. “It is the beginning of a new tradition—one that celebrates the power of partnership, the strength of community, and the shared commitment we all have to public safety.”
Sheriff Martinez then delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of community partnerships in every aspect of public safety—from patrol to reentry services.
A special recognition was given to the Honorary Deputy Sheriff’s Association (HDSA) for its decades-long support of the Sheriff’s Office. From funding training facilities to sponsoring youth programs like the Respect Project and the Explorer Program, HDSA’s contributions have left a lasting impact on law enforcement and the broader community.
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Award Categories & Honorees
Community Champion Award
Recognizing individuals who build bridges between law enforcement and the community:
- Jeanie Stratis – Bears for Badges
- Dr. Casey Adamson – PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
- Dr. Beatriz Villarreal – Mano a Mano Foundation
- Alejandro Tamayo – SDCOE Migrant Ed Program
- Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey – Palomar College / Junior Women's Academy
Corporate Partnership Award
- Kevin Herrera – Northgate Markets
Community-Based Organization Award
- Sonja Hudson – Snowline Apple Orchard and Farm
Government/Agency Collaboration Award
- DeAnna Hernandez – County of San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk
Youth & Education Partnership Award
- Jorge Nava – RESPECT Skateboard Program
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Certificates of Recognition
Honoring partners who consistently go the extra mile in supporting Sheriff’s Office programs and community outreach:
- Chick-fil-A Santee – Zach Zimmerman & Madison Miller
- Danny’s Deli – Danny Leon
- Spring Valley Chamber of Commerce – Tina Carlson
- Neighborhood House Association – Dr. Mona Minton
- Cafe Moto – Jessica Peters
- Chick-fil-A San Marcos – Christine Christopher
- Target – Shanika Perkins & Jesse Gold
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As we reflect on this year's inaugural celebration, we are reminded that the strength of our public safety efforts lies not only in the dedication of law enforcement, but in the enduring partnerships we build with our community. These collaborations—spanning nonprofits, educators, businesses, and civic leaders—are the foundation of effective community policing. Together, they foster trust, promote equity, and create the conditions for a safer, more connected, and more resilient region.
The collective impact of these partnerships extends far beyond any single program or initiative—it shapes the quality of life for all who call San Diego County home. We are deeply grateful for every partner who walks alongside us in this shared mission.
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Join Us at These Upcoming Community Events
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Operation Pie Drive is a Sheriff's Office tradition in our Fallbrook community, where we distribute pies donated by Snowline Apple Orchard and Farm to You Are Not Alone program participants. This program is one of the many ways we connect with our communities during the holiday season, so they know we are here for them.
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%20(4).png "san-diego-county-sheriff-header-image")
.jpg "Yana program photo with two deputies and Sheriff Senior Patrol with a crime prevention specialist inside someone's home with an elderly women holding a pie.")
.png "Sheriff star with gold and navy blue reef that says community partnership award and san diego county sheriff's office on a ribbon.")
.jpg "Operation Pumpkin Pie collage with images of deputies giving pies to the elderly through the yana program with fall graphics like pies and orange and yellow leaves.")
