Reducing homelessness means ensuring we have enough shelter space to get people off the street and on the path to permanent housing.
We continue our success to create new shelters with Council support to move forward along with our San Diego Housing Commission to evaluate a privately owned site on Second Avenue that could be adapted for shelter use. While this location will require negotiations with the property owner, it presents an opportunity to provide stability for those in need and strengthen our ability to reduce homelessness. The City Council also supports expanding capacity at Veterans Village of San Diego.
Yesterday's action builds on the work we’ve been doing to expand shelter options through our Short-Term Action Plan. In the past few months alone, we’ve added 263 beds across three new facilities, and this spring, we’ll nearly double the Safe Parking Program with the opening of H Barracks near the airport. Later this week, the San Diego Housing Commission will consider a proposal for a new 200-bed shelter in partnership with Catholic Charities, which will provide additional shelter options for seniors and single women.
Did You Know? Many of our shelters are in temporary locations that will eventually need to move due to site restrictions or redevelopment plans. By identifying permanent shelter locations now, we’re reducing costly relocations and building a more sustainable homelessness response system.
Every investment in shelter and housing moves us closer to the ultimate goal: getting people off the street and into care. I appreciate the City Council’s partnership and remain committed to expanding shelter and bringing an end to unsafe encampments.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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Progress Report: Keeping San Diego Safe
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San Diego made significant strides in keeping our communities safe in 2024, with reductions in crime, enhanced enforcement measures, and critical investments in first responders.
By deploying new technologies and strengthening public safety policies, we’ve reinforced our commitment to making San Diego one of the safest big cities in America.
Key achievements include:
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Crime Reduction: Homicides dropped by 28.8%, sexual assaults by 12.6%, robberies by 10.7%, and car thefts by 19.8%.
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Smart Public Safety Technology: Nearly 500 Smart Streetlights and Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) were deployed, aiding in solving over 200 crimes, recovering illegal firearms, and retrieving more than $3 million in stolen property
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Emergency Response Capacity: Firefighters, lifeguards, and paramedics responded to a record-breaking 188,000 emergency calls in 2024.
San Diego continues to lead in proactive public safety measures, ensuring our communities remain safe, secure, and well-protected.
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Implementing Prop 36: Strengthening Accountability and Public Safety
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Proposition 36, overwhelmingly approved by voters in November, is already making an impact in San Diego. The measure strengthens consequences for retail theft and drug sales, reversing key provisions of 2014’s Proposition 47. Nearly 175 people have been booked by our San Diego Police Department under the new law and there have been 436 related bookings countywide.
This change aims to restore accountability in cases where repeat offenses previously went unchecked, particularly in retail theft and fentanyl sales. The law also establishes court-ordered treatment programs for individuals convicted of drug offenses, offering a path toward rehabilitation.
Public safety remains a top priority, and implementing Prop 36 is a step toward ensuring San Diegans feel safe in their communities.
The City will continue working with our law enforcement officials, business owners, and community partners to address crime while expanding opportunities for treatment and prevention.
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Sharing San Diego’s Stories: ‘I Am San Diego’ Project Highlights Community Voices
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San Diego is a city defined by our people—their stories, experiences, and contributions that shape our diverse and dynamic community. The I Am San Diego project, a collaboration between the City and StoryCorps Studios, invites San Diegans to share their personal stories, fostering empathy, understanding and a stronger sense of belonging.
Through recorded conversations, residents from every City Council district have shared their journeys—stories of resilience, cultural heritage, service, and connection. These conversations are now available to the public on the I Am San Diego website and will be archived in the Library of Congress for future generations to hear.
One of the featured recordings includes a heartfelt conversation between San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Chief Robert Logan and Capt. Jason Shanley. Chief Logan reflects on his path to leadership, the experiences that shaped him, and the deep commitment he feels to serving the community where he grew up.
I encourage San Diegans to listen to these powerful conversations and add their own. By sharing our stories, we celebrate the diversity that makes our city stronger. Explore the collection and contribute your voice at www.sandiego.gov/i-am-san-diego.
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Road Repairs Underway in Otay Mesa
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Crews have begun slurry seal work in Otay Mesa as part of the City’s ongoing efforts to maintain and improve streets. This cost-effective pavement preservation method smoothes and helps extend the life of roads, reducing the need for costly reconstruction. Work is expected to continue through February, weather permitting. Residents can check the status of planned street repairs at streets.sandiego.gov.
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San Diego FC Opens Sharp HealthCare Performance Center
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San Diego FC’s journey took a major step forward with the opening of the new Sharp HealthCare Performance Center at the historic site of the former Singing Hills Resort, on the land of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Randy Reyes and Korral Taylor, Community Engagement Representatives for my office, attended the celebration. The event also highlighted Sharp HealthCare as SDFC’s official health care and health insurance partner. Thanks to Sharp for further investing in the health and wellbeing of our region. San Diego FC’s arrival is a historic moment, I’m confident we will be one of the most supportive and enthusiastic cities for Major League Soccer, embracing this team with the same passion and energy that defines our community.
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Welcoming the “Year of the Snake” in Downtown San Diego
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The San Diego Chinese New Year Fair brought the community together for a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, and unity in the heart of downtown. Hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, this annual event featured live performances, traditional cuisine and family-friendly activities honoring the rich history of the Lunar New Year. I appreciate our office’s Community Representative Korral Taylor for attending and joining in the festivities. Thank you to all who made this celebration a success!
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Strengthening Wildfire Preparedness in Our Neighborhoods
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Fatima Maciel, Community Representative, attended a wildfire preparedness workshop on behalf of my office, joining Team LaCava, San Diego Fire-Rescue, and the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County to help equip residents with the tools to protect their communities. Fire Safe Councils play a critical role in safeguarding homes and lives, and this workshop provided guidance on how neighborhoods can establish their own councils. Experts from San Diego Fire-Rescue also shared essential wildfire prevention and preparedness strategies to keep our city resilient against fire risks. Empowering communities with knowledge and resources is key to keeping San Diego safe.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Strengthening Our Binational Community
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The Chicano Federation Leadership Training Institute is empowering local leaders to harness the unique opportunities of our binational region. In their “Unleashing the Power of Our Binational Community” event, participants explored how cross-border collaboration fuels economic growth and strengthens our shared identity. Representing our office at this important discussion were Deputy Director of Community Engagement Lucero Maganda and Director of Global Affairs Javier Gomez. Their participation reflects our commitment to fostering unity and opportunity across borders.
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Helping Building Owners Meet Energy Benchmarking Requirements
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The City of San Diego is offering a series of free webinars and in-person office hours to help building owners and facility managers comply with the City’s Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance. The webinars will cover the basics of energy benchmarking, compliance steps, and reporting systems like ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and BEAM. In-person office hours at the San Diego Central Library will provide hands-on support. Register here.
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Know Your Flood Risk and Stay Prepared
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Thousands of homes in San Diego are built in floodplains, making it essential to understand your risk. Flooding can happen year-round, so take steps to stay informed and prepared. Check if your home is in a floodplain by visiting FEMA’s map service and view local flood-prone areas on the City’s stormwater maps.
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Help Shape San Diego’s Streets
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The City’s updated Street Design Manual is now available for public review and comment. This update focuses on creating safer, more accessible streets for all users—pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. Your input will help shape the future of our roadways. Submit your comments here.
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Free Compost Giveaway Events Support Sustainable Gardening
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San Diegans can pick up free, nutrient-rich compost for their gardens, thanks to the City’s partnership with I Love A Clean San Diego. Compost is available year-round at Miramar Greenery, and special giveaway events make it even easier to access. The next event is on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Mt. Hope Community Garden. Register here. Help your garden thrive while keeping organic waste out of landfills!
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Celebrating San Diego’s First Cultural Plan
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San Diego is making history with the adoption of Creative City, our first-ever cultural plan. Join the Commission for Arts and Culture to celebrate this milestone with an inspiring event featuring presentations from artists, a look at the plan’s first-year initiatives, and opportunities to get involved. The event will take place on Monday, Feb. 24, at the San Diego Central Library. Learn more at sdcreativecity.com.
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Parking Meter Rates Increasing Citywide
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Starting Jan. 31, parking meter rates in San Diego will double, with most meters increasing from $1.25 to $2.50 per hour. This adjustment, approved by the City Council, is the first rate increase in 20 years and will help fund transportation infrastructure like streets, sidewalks, and streetlights in metered areas. Even with the change, San Diego’s rates remain among the lowest in California. Meters operated by the Port of San Diego will not be affected.
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Extend the Life of Your Belongings at a Fixit Clinic
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Don’t toss your broken items—repair them instead! Fixit Clinics, hosted by the City’s Environmental Services Department and Zero Waste San Diego, offer free workshops where skilled volunteers help fix household items like lamps, bikes, and clothing.
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Stay Informed with Inside San Diego
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and information about our city through Inside San Diego, our new hub for all things San Diego.
From community updates to important City announcements, Inside San Diego is your go-to source for staying engaged and informed as a resident.
Don’t miss out on critical alerts and updates—sign up today to receive notifications via email or text message.
It’s a simple way to stay connected with everything happening in our great city. Subscribe now!
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