Dixon Lake Maintenance Closure

Dixon Lake will be closed for maintenance from May 2 - 6. This closure includes fishing, camping, day-use, and hiking. This planned closure will allow City staff to work on projects and prepare the lake, park, and campsites for the influx of people who will be enjoying Dixon Lake this summer. Please enjoy one of the City's other parks and open spaces, including Daley Ranch. escondido.org/parks-lakes-trails

 

Arbor Day Tree Planting

Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 30. The City of Escondido will be planting 100 trees in partnership with SDG&E and West Coast Arborists. Volunteers will be out starting 9 a.m. planting along Mission Ave. from Aster St. to Goldenrod St. If you'd like to volunteer for this event, visit volunteer.escondido.org. For more information about the City's Urban Forest visit: https://www.escondido.org/urban-forestry

 

Volunteer Appreciation Week

This week, April 17 - 23 is Volunteer Appreciation Week. We are thankful for each and every one of our dedicated volunteers all year long. We are highlighting some volunteer stories across our social media channels all week, tune in and give us a follow below:

 Facebook: Facebook.com/CityofEscondido

 Instagram: @CityofEscondido

 

Free Transit Rides for Youth

Free transit for youth is here! Beginning May 1, anyone 18 and under can ride free with PRONTO on all San Diego MTS and North County Transit District vehicles in San Diego County thanks to SANDAG's Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. Youth can take as many rides as they want on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER, all for free through June 2023! Registering is easy! Find out how to ride free: YouthOpportunityPass.sandag.org

 

Library Mural Dedication Recap

On Saturday, March 12 members of the community came together at the Library for Escondido's Vision Mural Dedication Ceremony. The new mural is located on the side of the Library in front of the new mini park. Check out the video below in case you missed it! Thank you to artist Julia Anthony and the Escondido Library Foundation for making this art piece possible.

 

Escondido Public Library Presents Star Wars Week

Celebrate Star Wars Week with the Escondido Public Library and enjoy fun, Star Wars-themed programs May 2 through May 7.

• Build Your Own Droid Monday, May 2, 4-5:30 p.m. Build a custom Star Wars Droid from upcycled materials (ages 8-12).
• PJ Storytime Tuesday, May 3, 6-6:30 p.m. Wear your PJS and bring your favorite stuffed animal to this Star Wars evening storytime (ages 5-12).
• May the Fourth Be with You Star Wars Day Celebration Wednesday, May 4, 5-7 p.m. Celebrate everything Star Wars with crafts, costumes, a trivia competition, and some very special guests from the 501st, Rebel Legion, Mando Mercs, and Saber Guild (all ages).
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Thursday, May 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Special showing of Rogue One, starring Felicity Jones and Diego Luna. Children under 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (ages 13 and up).
• Inclusive Art Club Friday, May 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Special Star Wars story time for all ages and abilities featuring story, songs and art (all ages).
• Star Wars Week Finale: Free Comic Book Day & Jedi Padawan Lightsaber Training Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free Comic Book Day, Board Games, Jedi Padawan Lightsaber Training, and even more special guests! Come by to pick up a free comic book courtesy of Knowhere Comics (while supplies last), play games and take photos with fan favorite Star Wars characters from the 501st, Rebel Legion, and Mando Mercs. At 11:30 a.m. take part in an all ages family lightsaber training with representatives from the Saber Guild (all ages).

For more information on other Library programs for children, visit

http://www.escondidolibrary.org.

 

 

The Escondido Discussion

The City of Escondido invites you to a presentation on The Escondido Discussion.

Join us for one of the following dates and provide your feedback:

 May 11 at noon on Zoom and Broadcast on Ch.19/99

Zoom Links: escondido.org/Discussion

 

As part of this year's budget process and to further engage Escondido residents CityWide, the City has launched The Escondido Discussion to hear local community priorities and City service needs. The City is continuing to recover from the long-term effects of COVID and potentially faces an $8 million budget gap this year, we want to hear from YOU what local priorities you have and the City services you rely on as we strive to continue to provide the level of service residents expect and deserve.

 

Some of the priorities your neighbors identified include:

• Addressing homelessness
• Attracting businesses and jobs to the City
• Improving public safety and police services
• Maintaining and repairing local streets, roads and sidewalks
• Keeping public areas clean and free of graffiti

 

Now we want to hear from YOU! Please take a moment to join The Escondido Discussion.

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

438

 

Public Works:

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

Ring for the Win

On April 7, officers took a residential burglary crime report. The victim had a Ring camera which captured video of the suspect at the front door. The stolen items included jewelry, credit cards, a laptop, and a coin collection. On April 13, a different officer located a suspicious vehicle. The occupant was the same individual in the video from the burglary on April 7 and was in possession of a laptop. The laptop matched the exact make/model/serial number from the laptop that was reported stolen.

Did You Know?

The Ring Security Cameras can help officers identify suspects from crime and theft reports. According to safehome.org, in December of 2020, Amazon sold over 400,000 Ring smart doorbell devices and accessories to homeowners worldwide.

Car Wash Incident

On April 15, officers were dispatched to Pearl Car Wash. The driver was found outside of his vehicle and pinned between the vehicle and the car wash mechanism. Officers lifted the vehicle to move it enough to free the subject. Officers attempted CPR before medics transported him to Palomar Medical Center. The preliminary investigation indicated that the man drove into the car wash and for an unknown reason, tried to exit his vehicle.

 

Community Resources:

 Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)

 Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/

 Helicopter Announcement Transcription:

 Call 858-866-4356 or text "Hello" to 858-866-4356

 Megan's Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

 Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:

 Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240

 It's Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org

 Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211

 National Drug Helpline: https://drughelpline.org/contact/ or call 844-289-0879

 Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

 

2022 Baker to Vegas

Starting in Baker, California and ending in Las Vegas, Nevada, law enforcement officers from around the globe battle it out every Spring for the chance of winning the coveted cup trophy.

After a two-year COVID hiatus, Team Escondido participated in the Baker to Vegas relay on April 9. This year, the Escondido PD team was officially team #250 but unofficially team #493 in honor of Brett Byler.

 

Here is a list of the PD participants:

 

 Runners: Rob Craig, Ashleigh Nichol, Danny Armenta, Steve Braucht, Alejandra Torres, Francisco Reyes, Corey Montross, Chandler Hoppal, Jacob Livingston, Martin Mohammad, Jesse Santaniello, Brandon Byler, Steve Bucio, Ashley DeCremer, Christopher Calvert, John Larson, Kade McIntosh, Adam Ayres, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Hannah Kearney.

 Support Staff: Victoria Rivera, Monica Parra, Sarah Ridgeway, Nicole Garcia, Mo Santini, Dylan Boylan, Evelyn Alva, Emily Mason, Veronica Mendoza, and Cynthia Melendez.

 

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

Last week the EPD celebrated National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

 

 

March Abandoned Vehicle Data

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On April 13, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a residential structure fire in the area of Solana Glen. The first arriving officers reported light smoke coming from the garage where the fire was located. The homeowner was able to extinguish the main body of the fire with an extinguisher. Firefighters ensured the fire was completely extinguished and had not extended into the attic space. The residence had minor damage and there were no injuries to citizens or firefighters. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

 

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

1. The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 99 applicants, processed 84 applications, and issued 89 permits.

2. The total permit valuation for the week was $5,038,256.

3. Building inspectors completed 220 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

1. Field Engineering processed 15 permits.

2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 129 inspections.

3. Field Engineering has 226 active permits.

 

Development and Capital Projects Update:

 

Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? The link below directs to an interactive dashboard of projects currently in various stages of the development process. Browse project descriptions, see locations on the map, browse photos and more.

 

City of Escondido Development Project Dashboard

 

 

A short overview video of the Dashboard features can be watched here.

 

To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.