National Library Week
Happy National Library Week to our Escondido Public Library! We are thankful for all the library staff that make the programs and activities at the Escondido Library so special.
Check out some of the free program offerings at
library.escondido.org
2022 Dixon Lake Trout Derby
The Kiwanis Club of Escondido is hosting the annual end of season trout derby on April 23 and 24. This family event will run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Breakfast and lunch items will be available as well as fishing equipment and bait. For more information, email
Info@KiwanisClubOfEscondido-HiddenValley.org.
2022 Creek to Bay Cleanup
The City of Escondido is excited to be part of I Love a Clean San Diego's 20th Anniversary Creek to Bay Cleanup! Join Environmental Programs and the Police Department to clean up Reidy Creek on April 23. Get into action this Earth Week and register today at CreektoBay.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:
April 7 at 4 p.m. at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce
April 19 at 6 p.m. in the Mitchell Room at City Hall
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.
Spring Break for EUHSD Schools
Del Lago Academy, Escondido, Orange Glen, San Pasqual, and Valley high schools and the Escondido Adult School will be closed for Spring Break from April 7 through April 18. School will resume Tuesday, April 19.
Free Food Distribution Available Through EUHSD Schools
Monthly food distributions are available to families and community members at Escondido, Orange Glen, San Pasqual, and Valley high schools each month.
Escondido High School, 2nd Monday of the month, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
o Upcoming dates: May 9, June 13, July 11
Orange Glen High School, 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 3-4 p.m.
o Upcoming dates: April 25, May 9, May 23
San Pasqual High School, 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
o Upcoming dates: April 25, May 9, May 23
Valley High School, 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 2-3:30 p.m.
o Upcoming dates: April 21, May 5, May 19
BY THE NUMBERS
Code Compliance:
|
Total Code Cases (Year to Date)
|
347
|
Public Works:
Graffiti Restitution:
|
Collected Last Week
|
Collected Year to Date
|
|
$60
|
$1062.48
|
POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
Community Meeting - Public Input Regarding AB 481
The Escondido Police Department is hosting a community meeting to answers questions or concerns and receive feedback regarding AB 481 and the equipment we currently use. The AB 481 Draft Policy is currently posted on our website at https://police.escondido.org.
Monday, April 11 at 6 p.m.
Escondido City Hall Mitchell Room
201 N. Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
The Community Meeting includes:
- Purpose of the new legislation
- Definition of military equipment
- EPD's military equipment inventory
- EPD's proposed equipment funding, acquisition, and use policy
- Pending annual report requirement
- Community engagement and public access to materials
Bringing a Controlled Substance into a Jail
On March 30, Escondido Police Dispatch received a call regarding a male walking around with a handgun near the Motel 6. Officers located the male who was in possession of an imitation Glock pistol. He also had brass knuckles in his back pocket. The individual was taken to the Escondido Police Department for processing. When officers conducted a second search inside the jail, officers found what appeared to be crystal meth, hidden in several plastic baggies inside a cigarette carton. The white substance tested positive for methamphetamine.
Did You Know?
It is a crime for a person to bring a controlled substance into a California jail or state prison. The Escondido Police Department also has several signs posted around the Department stating that bringing narcotics into a jail facility is a violation.
Traffic Collision
On April 1, Escondido Police Dispatch received a call regarding a suspect who crashed into two parked vehicles and fled the scene on foot. A witness took a photo of the suspect as he exited the vehicle. Cutting tools and two catalytic converters were found in the back seat of the vehicle along with drug paraphernalia.
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
Happy Retirement and Congratulations, Captain Eric Skaja!
Eric Skaja joined the Escondido Police Department in August of 1997. He served in every bureau of the Department and worked in Patrol, on the Bike Team, in COPPS, on SWAT, as a Field Training Officer, and in Traffic. After 24 years of service with the EPD, Captain Skaja has decided to retire from his career in law enforcement. He will greatly be missed!
School Resource Officer Johnston
Officer Eric Johnston is one of three School Resource Officers (SROs) at the EPD. Two SROs are funded by the Police Department and one is paid for by the school district. Some of the duties of an SRO include, responding to all calls for service at all public and private Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the district; attending monthly Student Attendance Review Board (SARB) meetings; addressing attendance and truancy issues; attending various committee and school-related meetings; testifying at school expulsion hearings; conducting follow-up investigations on school cases taken by other officers; working with the school district probation/truant officer; assisting with truancy sweeps; coordinating special details to combat school-related crimes; responding to requests for assistance from school officials and the parents/family of students; as well as numerous other miscellaneous duties. School Resource Officers are also expected to assist with normal patrol duties when needed due to priority calls for service and staffing shortages.
Officer Johnston recently gave a presentation at Escondido High School for a Special Education class. Officer Johnston highlighted how Law Enforcement interacts and deals with people in the community who have disabilities and shared safety tips and answered questions.
Additionally, on March 30, Officer Johnston was asked to judge the Annual Culinary Competition at Orange Glen High School. He was one of four judges. Culinary students from Escondido High School, San Pasqual High School, and Orange Glen High School participated. Students were given a time limit to create a pasta and dessert dish. They later shared their dishes along with providing a description of the dish and how they made it. The judging criteria included plating, visual appeal, taste, texture, difficulty, and originality.
Thank you, Officer Johnston, for your unique connection with the Escondido Union School District, and thank you for all that you do!
March Abandoned Vehicle Data
FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
On March 28, the Escondido Police and Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 1603 S. Tulip St. While responding, fire units observed a column of smoke from a distance and due to the potential for the fire to spread and the threat to life and property a working fire upgrade was requested. The first arriving officer reported a fence along with some debris were on fire threating a residence. The fire was contained quickly with minor cosmetic damage to the residence. There were many animals in the yard that remained secured and there were no injuries to animals, citizens or firefighters as a result of this incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Also on March 28, the Escondido Fire Department responded to a vehicle collision on the Southbound 15 freeway just south of the Valley Pkwy offramp. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a jackknifed flatbed semi-trailer that was leaking diesel fuel. Firefighters and nearby bystanders successfully created a dam using shovels and roadside dirt to prevent the fuel from entering the storm-drains. Cal-Trans and the San Diego County Hazmat responded and removed the access fuel. There were no injuries reported.
On March 31, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of fire on the Southbound 15 freeway near El Norte Pkwy. A full wildland fire response was dispatched. Upon arrival, it was found that a transient encampment had caught fire between the freeway and a block retaining wall. The fire was quickly contained with no damage to the adjacent properties and there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
On March 31, the Escondido Fire Department held a badge pinning and recognition ceremony for 21 newly hired employees.� Congratulations to all of our dedicated Fire Department team members who were able to celebrate with friends, family and co-workers.
On April 1, Deputy Fire Chief John Tenger and Police Chief Ed Varso visited Heritage Elementary School for National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Chief Tenger and Chief Varso were judges for art projects and cheered the children on as they made a 113-foot peanut butter and jelly sandwich! A big thank you to Matt Weathersby of Jellybear Jelly Company for organizing the event!
On April 1,the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a multi-residential structure fire located at Diamond Point Apartments, 1500 W. 11th Ave. The first arriving officers found that food had ignited a fire on the stove top. An adult male was asleep in the residence and was awakened by a smoke detector. Once he was awakened, he extinguished the fire with water and stopped the spread of the fire. The fire had produced enough flame to char surrounding cabinets and melt some kitchen utensils. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters as a result of this incident.
On April 3, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of an outdoor fire. Multiple calls to the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center prompted dispatchers to upgrade the incident to a structure fire response. The first arriving officer reported a large storage shed with heavy smoke and fire coming from it. Due to the potential for the fire to spread and the threat to life and property a working fire upgrade was requested. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire in two sheds in approximately 30 minutes. Due to radiant heat, damage exposure was limited to the partial burning of a nearby tree and minor damage to an adjacent structure. Firefighters remained on scene for 90 minutes completing salvage and overhaul. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING
Permits and Inspections:
Building Division:
1. The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 107 applicants, processed 101 applications, and issued 58 permits.
2. The total permit valuation for the week was $1,260,203.
3. Building inspectors completed 214 inspections.
Field Engineering Division:
1. Field Engineering processed 20 permits.
2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 96 inspections.
3. Field Engineering has 221 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.
