National Public Works Week

This week is National Public Works Week. Thank you to all of our Public Works staff who work tirelessly all year long to keep Escondido running! We are highlighting a few of our Public Works Professionals on our social media and below:

 

Meet Troy Chappell, he is a Lead Maintenance Technician in our Streets Division. The thing he enjoys most about working for the City of Escondido is the opportunity to learn more about all aspects of City maintenance.

 

Meet Rey Gonzalez, he oversees the maintenance of Grape Day Park. Rey brings a wealth of experience with him from his time serving our country in the United States Army.

 

Thank you to all of our Public Works professionals!

Escondido Street Festival

Don't miss the Escondido Street Festival, presented by the Escondido Downtown Business Association this Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. This nearly 30-year-old annual spring street festival is located on Historic Grand Avenue between Escondido Blvd and Juniper in beautiful Downtown Escondido. Learn more here.

 

Free E-Waste and Shred Event

Join us for a Free E-Waste and Shred event this Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. - noon.

 

You can drop off 2 bankers' boxes for free shredding, and free mulch will be available (bring your own shovel).

 

Location: Emmanuel Faith Community Church - Parking lot on the corner of E. 17th Avenue and Encino Drive

Hosted by the City of Escondido and Escondido Disposal

 

 

 

 

 

The Escondido Discussion

As part of this year's budget process and to further engage Escondido residents CityWide, the City has launchedThe 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)

573

 

Public Works:

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

Juvenile Stabbing

On May 12, a 13-year-old male was stabbed by an unknown male teenager in the area of Mission Avenue and Mission Grove Place. The victim fled to Mission Middle School where it was determined that he had non-life-threatening injuries. Mission Middle School was placed on a lockdown and the victim was transported by paramedics to Rady Children's Hospital.

 

Hit and Run + DUI

On May 13, police officers responded to a hit and run call. Officers tracked down the car and the driver was still in the vehicle. He was subsequently arrested for DUI and found to be in possession of a replica firearm, a large quantity of miscellaneous drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, LSD, cocaine, MDMA, and prescription medications. The same individual was arrested in Escondido on April 21 for several felony drug and gun charges and is currently out on a $50,000 bail.

 

Girlfriend Attacks

Also, on May 13, officers responded to a call of a suspect physically attacking her boyfriend. When officers arrived, she was found with an axe in her hands and had threatened to kill her boyfriend. The suspect was arrested and booked into Vista Detention Facility.

 

Did You Know?

According to NCADV, 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.

 

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

Fundraiser for Jaime Llamas

Earlier this year, Anaheim Police Investigator Jaime Llamas was diagnosed with brain cancer. He has since undergone surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment to try and eradicate the cancer. The Anaheim Police Officers Association and End of Watch (EOW) Cycling, a group of police officers who regularly ride and compete in cycling races, began a series of fundraisers for Jaime, his wife, and two small children to help during his treatment and recovery, as his condition is currently not covered under worker's compensation.

 

Escondido Police Lieutenant Craig Miller, who has participated in EOW Cycling events in the past, conducted his own ride-a-thon during the months of March and April. At the end of those two months, Lt. Miller cycled 1,702 miles, culminating with the April 30 Belgian Waffle Ride, billed as the hardest one-day cycling race in America at a distance of 135 miles and 11,000 feet of climbing along San Diego County roads and trails.

 

The ride-a-thon raised more than $7,100 for Investigator Llamas. According to Lt. Miller, he undertook this endeavor following a similar cancer diagnosis for Officer Brett Byler, who sadly lost his battle last year. Brett's brother, Sgt. Brandon Byler, put it best, said Lt. Miller. The care and support from friends and family but also from complete strangers helped the Byler family during some very dark days. I am very grateful for everyone who generously contributed to this cause, and I hope it helps our brother in blue.

 

Lieutenant Miller's Daycare Visit

Not only was Lt. Miller busy raising money and cycling for Jaime Llamas in March and April, this past month he also visited a local daycare to talk about police work. The toddler class was learning about service people, specifically about police officers and firefighters. The students (and teachers) were delighted by the surprise visit. Lt. Miller shared safety tips, handed out super cool Junior Officer stickers and police bracelets, and even let the kids check out his police vehicle. Both the students and teachers were very appreciative of Lt. Miller's visit. Thanks for all that you do, LT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Abandoned Vehicle Data

 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On May 9, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a fire alarm at 1255 N. Broadway (Cypress Court Retirement Community). An Engine and Truck Company were dispatched to the location to investigate. Moments after the initial report the Communication Center received reports of a fire on the third floor of the multi-story assisted living facility. The response was upgraded to a Commercial Structure Fire response. The first arriving Engine Company reported no exterior signs of smoke or fire and entered the facility to investigate. Upon accessing the third floor via a stairwell, firefighters found heavy smoke and heat in the stairwell. The incident was upgraded to a Working Commercial Fire and a second alarm was immediately requested due to the size of the structure and the large number of elderly residents in the building. Fortunately, firefighters were able to quickly contained the fire to the third-floor stairwell with no further extension to the structure. Automatic fire doors limited the spread of smoke to a small portion of the third-floor. Firefighters were able to clear the smoke with electric fans in approximately 30 minutes. All residents were sheltered in place during the incident and none had complaints associated with possible smoke inhalation. No Firefighters were injured during the incident. The cause and origin of the fire is being investigated by Escondido Fire Department investigators, however, preliminary information indicates the fire may have originated in a malfunctioning florescent light ballast.

 

On May 12, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a vegetation fire in the green belt between Kit Carson Park and the Westfield Shopping Center. The firefighters found and contained a small area of burning grass and brush on fire near Beethoven Drive. While the cause of the fire is under investigation, encampment activity was found at the scene.

 

Also, May 12, the Escondido Fire was dispatched to a vehicle fire at on Olivia Glen. Upon arrival, the firefighters found a vehicle with fire in the passenger space. The Captain recognized that the vehicle was electric powered and that there was a possibility that the fire spread to the batteries. Firefighters extinguished the fire and provided continual cooling of the batteries until completely secured. Electric vehicles present dangers of extremely toxic smoke and injury from electric discharge. This incident is an example of the changing dangers and complexities that firefighters must adapt to with training, protective gear, equipment and tactics.

 

On May 13, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a vegetation fire in the area of Broadway and the west-bound 78. A small grass fire was quickly extinguished by Firefighters with no injuries to firefighters or civilians. There were multiple homeless encampments in the area that Caltrans was in the process of removing. Caltrans personnel remained on scene to finish debris removal.

 

On May 14, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a structure fire in the 1500 block of Nob Hill Drive in Escondido. The first arriving engine Captain reported a vehicle in a carport fully involved in fire with exposure to nearby vegetation. Firefighters contained and controlled the fire in approximately 20 minutes. Crews were on scene for an additional hour performing salvage, overall and ensuring that the fire was completely extinguished in the vegetation. Both the vehicle and carport were a total loss. In all 4 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, 3 Ambulances, and 1 Battalion Chief responded to the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. One adult male suffered minor burns to the bottom of both feet and was treated on scene by paramedics and transported to a regional burn center.

 

Also, on May 14, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a missing and possibly injured person in the area of Del Dios, north of Lake Hodges. A fire response was dispatched to the area of Quail Glen Road and Via Rancho Parkway to assist the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The first arriving Captain met with family who stated their 80-year-old father had gone for a hike several hours prior and had not returned. Due to the very warm weather and dangers in the nearby terrain, the incident was upgraded to a rescue. The patient was located, dehydrated and disoriented, approximately one mile from any nearby access points, off the trail and in the brush adjacent to Lake Hodges in Escondido. With assistance from both Sheriff's ASTREA and San Diego Fire and Rescue Copter 1, the patient was air-lifted to a nearby landing zone for treatment and transport to a local hospital. In all, 2 Engines, 1 Patrol Unit, 1 Ladder Truck, 1 Ambulance, 2 Chief Officers and 2 Helicopters responded. The response included assistance from San Diego County Sheriff, San Diego City Fire and Rescue Department, and the San Diego City Police Department. Safety Note: It is important that hikers bring water and stay hydrated during hiking events, know the area they are hiking, carry a cell phone and don't hike alone.

Lastly, on May 14, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a vegetation fire in the area of Canyon Crest Drive in the unincorporated county area east of Escondido. Because the area is within the Escondido/CAL FIRE mutual threat zone, a vegetation response was dispatched by both agencies, including CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire aircraft. The first arriving Company Officer reported an active fire with a slow rate of spread in a remote area adjacent to a home, with structures threatened.

 

Air resources assisted firefighters on the ground from Escondido Fire and CAL FIRE to stop the forward progress and contain the fire. No structures were damaged. The fire was controlled and fully extinguished within two hours at 3 approximately acres. The area burned was determined to be within State Responsibility Area (SRA) and the cause of the fire is under investigation by CAL FIRE and Escondido Fire investigators. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

 

Safety Message: Warmer weather and severe drought has caused the grass and brush to be very dry and susceptible to vegetation fires, even though we have not experienced hot dry Santa Ana winds yet. NOW is the time to ensure that your home has defensible space and that your family is ready for wildfire. Visit https://fire.escondido.org/wildfire-safety-evacuation for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

 

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

1. The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 124 applicants, processed 92 applications, and issued 82 permits.
2. The total permit valuation for the week was $1,290,855
3. Building inspectors completed 215 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

1. Field Engineering processed 38 permits

2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 191 inspections

3. Field Engineering has active 246 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.