State of the City 2022

The 2022 State of the City will take place on Wednesday, March 23as part of the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. This is also when the 2022 City Council Award winners will be announced. The State of the City will be live-streamed at 5p.m. and available for viewing after at:https://www.escondido.org/meeting-broadcasts

 

Kit Carson Park Fitness Court Now Open

Escondido's next Fitness Court is now open in Kit Carson Park! This past weekend a ribbon cutting ceremony, fitness demonstration, and competition took place on the new court. Members of the City Council, City staff including competitors from Police and Fire, the public, volunteer Fitness Court Ambassadors, and Daisy Camacho the local artist who created the mural that adorns this fitness court were all in attendance. The Fitness Court is an outdoor bodyweight circuit training system that provides a full-body workout to people of all ability levels. With 7 functional fitness zones, the Fitness Court can be used in thousands of ways. Learn more at: https://recreation.escondido.org/fitness-court

 

 

 

Escondido Hero Banners Order Until March 15

The City is now taking orders for the 2022 Escondido Hero banners. The Escondido Hero banner program honors men and women who serve, or have served, in the U.S. Armed Forces and First Responders by offering personalized banners that will be hung around downtown Escondido. Banners include a photo of the hero, their name, and text that includes their branch/agency. They are on display from approximately Memorial Day (mid-May) to Veterans Day (mid-November) in Downtown Escondido along Valley Pkwy and 2^nd Avenue. For questions or more information visit https://www.escondido.org/herobanner

 

 

Utility Billing Counter New Hours

The Utility Billing Counter at City Hall will have modified hours starting on March 7. The new hours will be Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can do business anytime with the City using our Online Services Portal at: escondido.org/online-services

 

Library Mural Dedication

Join the Escondido community on Saturday, March 12 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. Come celebrate and congratulate artist Julia Anthony and show thanks to the Escondido Library Foundation for making this art piece possible.

 

The evet will run from 9:30 - 10 a.m.

 

 

The Escondido 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

Business License:

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

208

 

 

Public Works:

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

Stolen Vehicle + Warrant

On February 25, an officer observed subjects standing near a motorcycle in the Lowe's parking lot. When the officer drove up to further investigate, the subjects quickly left the area. The officer ran a vehicle record and confirmed that the motorcycle was stolen. With the help of the Motel 6 and Lowe's cameras, the suspects around the motorcycle were identified. The suspects were apprehended and taken into custody, and later booked on multiple charges and outstanding warrants.

 

What is an Outstanding Warrant?

An Outstanding Warrant means that the judge has issued an arrest warrant for you.

 

You can find out if you have a warrant in California by:

1. Requesting a criminal background check (also known as criminal history information or record)

2. Searching a local court's website or contacting the court clerk

3. Searching a county sheriff's official website

Bearcat Deployment

On February 24, a reporting party called Escondido Police Dispatch to report that a man was standing near the Sprinter tracks with a rifle. The Bearcat was deployed, roadways were closed, and the suspect was taken into custody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DUI + Hit and Run

On February 26, officers responded to a possible DUI/hit and run driver. The vehicle they stopped had significant front-end damage. While detaining the individual, he violently resisted. A records check confirmed he had a bookable felony warrant. Further investigation revealed that the Mercedes he was driving was an unreported stolen vehicle. The suspect was taken to Palomar Medical Center for injuries possibly sustained during the traffic accident. At the hospital, the suspected attempted to escape two times!

 

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

Congratulations

Congratulations to Police Athletic League (PAL) Director, Al Owen, who was the first recipient of the Escondido Rotary After Five Spirit of the Community Award. Al received the award on February 26 at The Great Gatsby Fundraiser and Gala, celebrating ten years of providing scholarships, giving job to families at holidays, supporting veterans, and empowering youth in the community.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

On February 20, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a vegetation fire in the area Mission and Rock Springs Road. Upon arrival firefighters found and extinguished a homeless encampment warming fire behind CarMax.

Also, on February 20, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a possible fire in the area of the 600 block of W. 8thAve. and dispatched a structure fire response. While responding several fire units reported a large column of smoke from a distance; due to the potential for the fire to spread and the threat to life and property a working fire upgrade and second alarm was requested. The first arriving officer reported a single story, single family residence with a large amount of smoke and fire throughout the entire structure.

Aggressive action by the firefighters contained and controlled the fire in approximately 40 minutes despite dangerous electrical powerlines that had burned through and were arching nearby. The home sustained extensive fire damage throughout the dwelling. There were no injuries to firefighters however, one civilian was emotionally upset and evaluated by Paramedics. In all, 7 fire engines, 2 truck companies, 2 rescue ambulances and 3 Battalion Chiefs responded to the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A gift card was from the California Fire Foundation was provided for immediate emergency aid to the residents. The Red Cross was also requested to aid the family.

 

On February 21, the Escondido Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in the area Seven Oaks and Rock Springs Road. Upon arrival, firefighters found an abandoned utility trailer fully engulfed in fire. The fire was extinguished without injury to firefighters or civilians. 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 104 applicants, processed 103 applications, and issued 88 permits.

2. The total permit valuation for the week was $7,675,786.

3. Building inspectors completed 186 inspections.

Field Engineering Division:

1. Field Engineering processed 20 permits

2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 68 inspections

3. Field Engineering active permits: 168

 

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.