High Heat and Rain Event

As the excessive heat warning continues for all of San Diego County through the week, the City reminds the public that the following facilities have been designated as Cool Zones. For a full list of Cool Zones around the County, visit: CoolZones.org

 

East Valley Community Center: 2245 East Valley Parkway (760-839-4382)

Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Closed Sundays and Holidays

 

Library: 239 Kalmia Street (760-839-4684)

Thursday: 9 a.m. -8 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. -6 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. -6 p.m.

Closed Sundays and Holidays

In addition to this week's heat, we now have rain in our forecast. If you are an Escondido resident and need sandbags for your property, you can visit Kit Carson Park and fill 10 bags for free. Residents will need to bring identification, as well as their own shovels, and be prepared to fill the sandbag themselves. escondido.org/where-to-get-sand-bags

 

Due to excessive heat and high energy demand across the state, California ISO is warning consumers to be prepared for possible rotating outages. The #FlexAlert is in effect until Friday, September 9. Stay up to date at SDGE.com

Extreme heat increases the risk for heat-related illnesses and can affect those working or participating in outdoor activities:

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room if one is available, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors by telephone, video call, or in-person.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles at any time.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Know the signs and symptoms of emergencies like heat exhaustion and heatstroke;

 

visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/hhsa/programs/phs/extreme_heat.

 

 

 

Escondido Grape Day Festival

One of Escondido's oldest events, the Grape Day Festival, returns this Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The festival will take place in Grape Day Park and will have fun activities for the whole family. Learn more at www.grapedayfest.com

 

2022 Fire and Water Expo

On Saturday, September 24, the Escondido Fire Department and Rincon Del Diablo Water District's Fire and Water Expo/Open House will take place at Fire Station #4, located next to Kit Carson Park. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be a fun and informative event for the whole family.

 

This event will provide you with information to prepare for an emergency, along with vehicle displays, food trucks, activities for the kids, and a helicopter landing! Learn more at fireandwaterexpo.org

 

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month!
Follow along with us as we provide our best advice about how you and your family can stay safe and prepare for disasters.

 

Make a Plan:

Disasters can happen anywhere, any time. That's why it's important you're prepared. Do you have a plan for yourself, your pets, and your family? Consider the specific needs you might have in an emergency:

• There are several planning guides available to assist you in the development of your plan. You need to fill in the blanks. You can find planning guides in 12 different languages at the County website: readysandiego.org/content/oesready/en-us/make-a-plan.html
• Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster.
• Consider any special needs your family might have.
• Make sure your kids know important phone numbers.
• Learn your evacuation routes.

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

1191

 

Public Works:

 

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:

Business Licensing Data:

Week of August 29-September 2

Escondido Businesses and Resources in the News:

Stone Brewing Co. completes $165M sale to Japan's SapporoThe San Diego Union Tribune

North County Business BriefsThe San Diego Union-Tribune

Cheers! local beer roundup for SeptemberThe Coast News Group

Palomar Health to Host First-Ever "Wellness Fest"Oct. 8-9San Diego Business Journal

Check out Escondido's Economic Development Data Dashboard!

Subscribe to our Business News and Insights Email Newsletter

 

Data Corner:

Did you know that in 2021, the leading industries in Escondido were retail, Health Care, Social Services, Construction, and Education? Check out the data.

 

 

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

Guns and Hoses Event

On September 3, the police and fire departments hosted their Guns and Hoses event. Participants started their day at the Escondido Police Range, where they received a gun safety course and were able to use handguns and rifles. The Police Department treated them to lunch back at Police and Fire Headquarters, and afterwards the participants continued to battle the heat and had some fun with the fire department.

Swatting Incidents

On September 1 and 2, an unknown person targeted Escondido High School with threatening phone calls. The first report was from an out-of-state suicide hotline that informed police that they received a report that a student had harmed another on campus, and they were both still in a classroom. The police department responded and cleared the entire school, and determined that no threat or harm had occurred.

 

The second call was threatening to "blow up "the school, again originating from a crisis and suicide line operator out of state. Bomb dogs were brought in, and again the entire campus was checked. The incidents are likely connected and are being investigated to find the person that was making the false claims. We understand these incidents are disruptive to the entire student body and staff, but we appreciate everyone's understanding of the gravity of these types of calls and that they must be taken seriously.

 

Community Resources:

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

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

Helicopter Announcement Transcription:

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

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

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:

o Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240

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

o Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211

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

Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

 

August Abandoned Vehicle Data

 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On August 28, Escondido Fire sent a crew of four firefighters staffing the brush engine from Station # 4 (Bear Valley) as mutual aid to help contain a vegetation fire near Scripps Poway Parkway. Although the fire threatened homes, it was controlled in a couple of hours with no damage to structures. The crew returned to quarters later that evening.

Recently, HARRF and Water Department personnel assisted with the re-installation of the newly refurbished pump and motor at the training tower at Fire Station #1. The pump and motor were completely refurbished while we awaited the delivery of a new system controller. The Fire Department appreciates the expertise and assistance from utilities staff to complete the project and get our training facility back in service so critical training can resume.

On August 31, Escondido Fire deployed the OES brush engine with four firefighters from Station #6 (Del Dios) to the Border Fire 32 in Barrett junction near the California/Mexico border. The 4,500-acre fire was contained Sunday, September 4, and our crew returned home safely.

 

On September 1, firefighters responded to a reported vegetation fire in the area of Jesmond Dene Park. The first arriving engine crew found a large smoldering tree. The area was overhauled thoroughly, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

Also, on September 1, firefighters responded to a natural gas leak in the front yard of a home on North Ash Street where workers digging a trench broke a natural gas line. Firefighters secured the area, had neighbors shelter in place, monitored the gas levels in the air, and stood by with deployed hose lines until SDG&E arrived to clamp the line shut. This incident could have been prevented had the workers called "811"or used "DigAlert" to identify the exact location of the natural gas lines.

On September 3, firefighters responded along with police to a single vehicle accident on southbound Centre City Parkway just south of the Highway 78 off-ramp. The vehicle struck a power box, dislodged it and caused a fire within the box. The exposed electrical equipment was actively arcing in close proximity to the car and a chain link fence that ran the length of the property. Crews verified the car was not energized and extricated the injured driver who was transported to the hospital. Firefighters kept the fire in check using a CO2 fire extinguisher until SDG&E arrived and de-energized the electrical box.

 

The annual "Guns and Hoses"event took place on Saturday, September 3. Fourteen participants spend the first half of the day with the Police Department and then the Fire Department hosted in the afternoon at our training facility at Station #1 (Quince). Despite the heat, working with the engine, truck and ambulance crews, participants performed a variety of fire related skills including:

5-story rappel from the training tower

Rescue of a simulated trapped victim on an upper level of the tower

In team of two, responding on a fire engine Code 3 to a simulated fire scene, deploying hose and flowing water

Forced entry and performing a search for victims on using thermal imaging cameras (TIC) under blacked out conditions

The participants had a great time, regardless of the heat, and they learned a lot about firefighting and rescue operations. It was a pleasure hosting this event!

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

1. 1.The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 81 applicants, processed 90 applications, and issued 56 permits.

2. The total permit valuation for the week was $1,207,584.

3. Building inspectors completed 166 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

1. Field Engineering processed 29 permits.

2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 87 inspections.

3. Field Engineering has 166 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.