September is National Preparedness Month

At the August 23 City Council meeting, Mayor White proclaimed September National Preparedness Month. Each year, September is used to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.

 

The 2023 National Preparedness theme is focused on helping older adults prepare for disasters. We know older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and emergencies we can face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, or reside in rural areas.

 

Two new Escondido preparedness programs were introduced to help residents prepare for disasters:

 

The first new program is designed to assist older adults in developing a disaster plan. Next month, our Community Emergency Response Team will be at the Park Avenue Community Center and the Library to assist older adults in filling out their plans.

The second program is an 8-hour Spanish-only disaster preparedness class, called LISTOS. The class will also be taught by volunteers from our CERT team and registration information will be available on the Fire Department website next week. The first LISTOS class is scheduled for September 30.

 

 

 

Esco Alley Art

Esco Alley Art is a multi-street mural project near historic Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido. The project's murals are provided as a gift to the community from the Escondido Downtown Business Association, supported by grants, donations, artists, and volunteers, who believe that public art is vital to a healthy society, and that community art should be "for all and by all."

 

The Esco Alley Art project brings together artists and property owners to take the otherwise forgotten space of Escondido's working alleys and turn them into unexpected outdoor art galleries. The latest unveiling, including 11 new murals, will be presented at a free, open-to-the public street party on Saturday, September 9 at 4 p.m.

 

For more information about Esco Alley Art, please visit:

www.downtownescondido.com

www.escoalleyart.com

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

1166

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:

Escondido Business News

Esco Alley Art Mural unveiling Sept. 9 Escondido Times Advocate

Lowe's-Anchored Escondido Retail Fetches $29M Connect CRE

Five free, must-see San Diego public art pieces SD Today

Labor Day Weekend 'End-Of- Summer Carnival' 2023: Escondido Patch

 

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources

Are You Looking for Assistance with Your Small Business?

Discover the range of San Diego and Imperial Valley SBDC services provided to assist you in starting, growing, and succeeding with your small business. Services offered span topics including accounting, marketing, human resources, technology security, manufacturing, distribution, and finance.

Request for Assistance from SBDC Follow the link to request assistance from the San Diego SBDC Network. You will be contacted within the next 1-2 business days.

City of Escondido Economic Development Contacts

Request a Meeting with Our Team

Thinking about starting a business? Already have a business and need additional support? Have a property and looking for tenants or starting improvements? Reach out and we can help you navigate City and community resources to achieve your goals.

The Economic Development Team are always available to help with questions or connecting you to the right resources. Do not hesitate to reach out!

Subscribe to our Business News and Insights Email Newsletter!

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Vehicle Pursuit

Last week, officers were involved in a pursuit when a driver fled a traffic stop and drove recklessly. The officers were able to safely follow and pursue the vehicle until it was parked and the driver ran away. Officers surrounded the area and were able to get a K9 unit on scene to assist. With the help of the K9 unit, officers located the driver two houses from where the vehicle had been abandoned. The driver was a teen who was arrested for the pursuit with no further issues.

 

Congratulations

Congratulations to the graduates of the San Diego Regional Public Training Institute Academy Class 134. These officers successfully completed their rigorous academic and physical training to graduate as police officers! They will spend this week in orientation and then begin their months of field training in the streets of our amazing City next week.

Photo left to right: Chief Varso, Officer Figueroa, Officer Gnibus, Officer Hooper, Deputy Director Rodelo and Captain Cramer

 

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

 

 

 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On August 22, OES Brush Engine 8334 was released from their Strike Team assignment. On August 14, as part of the OES Strike Team 6448C, Captain Abraham, Engineer Wallace, Firefighter Pettinato and Firefighter Roberts were requested to assist with a fire in Eugene, Oregon.

 

With the threat of a hurricane directly impacting the San Diego area, they were requested back to Southern California. They arrived at the Santar Training facility in San Marcos on Sunday morning to augment the North Zone Swift Water Rescue Team. All members are now home.

On August 24, Engine 137 departed to Riverside to cover CalFire Station 76 in Menifee. This was part of a large regional effort to provide logistical support for CalFire units to attend funeral services for the recently departed firefighters tragically lost in an aircraft accident.

 

 

 

On August 26, Firefighter Tom Stillman and Engineer Alex Koji were assigned to the Smith River Complex in Northern California. A "complex"is created when multiple fires begin, usually due to lightning, in the same area. Weather in the Northern California is expected to increase the size and intensity of the fires over the next few days.

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 80 applicants, processed 78 applications, and issued 58 permits.

The total permit valuation for the week was $556,144.00

Building inspectors completed 186 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

 

Field Engineering processed 18 permits

Field Engineering inspectors completed 25 inspections

Field Engineering active 258 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 Project Dashboard

 

 

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