By TR Robetson
The Vista Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee heard a presentation by Vista Station Sheriff’s Captain John Malan, concerning the proposed Safestreets Vista project, at the May meeting on Wednesday. Also assisting in describing some of the Safestreet proposals was Patrol Lieutenant Zarnow. The Sheriff’s Department has been affiliated with the City of Vista since 1850 with July 1963 being the official contractual date the department began its continuing relationship with the department. The first contract the city signed paid the Sheriff’s Department $128,00 for their services. The Sheriff’s Department has committed to providing the highest quality of public safety service to everyone in San Diego County. The department covers 4,200 square miles in the county with 18 patrol stations and 7 detention facilities. At this time 3,892 individuals are incarcerated in the detention facilities. Captain Malan said that at the beginning of 2025 crime against people in the City of Vista is down 12% and crime against property is down 22%. The Vista Sheriff’s Station has the following statistics in the County of San Diego – #1 in calls for service with over 31,000 calls responded to; #1 in felony arrests – 815 arrests; #1 in misdemeanor arrests – 2,183 arrests; #1 in total crimes where arrests were made – 3,416 arrests. The proposed Safestreets program has been presented to the Vista City Council and Sheriff Malan is presenting the program to various city groups to get feedback from these groups. Additional presentations will be made to the City Council with additional studies.
The Safestreets program calls for a collaborative relationship between the community, businesses, the city and the San Diego County Sheriff’s with the Safestreets cameras. The cameras would be installed in areas designated by the city and the Sheriff’s Department where observation of the area would provide the best coverage for the safety of the community and the businesses in that area. The cameras use a Cloud-based monitoring system obtaining Federated camera footage of the activities in the location where the cameras are installed. Captain Malan said the cameras are mounted on poles or buildings and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office would only be reviewing footage obtained to investigate reported crimes. The City of San Marcos already has installed 15 of the cameras in their city. He said the cameras have provided a quick response to investigating and reviewing crimes and in the apprehension of individuals who have committed these crimes. He also said they would help eliminate “unknown trouble” calls by providing a quicker and safer response by the Sheriff’s Department. Each camera costs $4,600. Sheriff Malan is currently speaking to various townhall groups to gain support for the installation of these cameras in Vista. Captain Malan explained they have no intention of recording or directing the cameras into the backyards of residential areas.
In addition to the Safestreets cameras, Lt. Zarnow spoke about the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) that has been installed in adjacent cities around Vista but has not been installed in Vista. There are several of these readers in the unincorporated areas. These readers work on an optical character recognition system using technology to read license plates. It is primarily to provide quick responses to illegal activities and to assist with missing person responses. In the system a Flock Camera reads the plate, and the data is checked for the vehicle being pursued then the Communication Center is alerted and provides information for a quick response to stop the vehicle. The benefits to the ALPR is the efficiency, detection, accuracy of the data collected and the fact that it provides another investigative tool to apprehend persons committing illegal activities. The City of El Cajon discovered 50 stolen vehicles after the installation of the ALPR in their city. There are Privacy Safeguards for the use of the data, audits of the program and only record license plates do not take pictures of individuals in the vehicles. The ALPR cost $3,000 on a per year lease and the poles to hold the cameras cost $1,900.
The final presentation Sheriff Malan made was for the Gun Shot Detection System, which is currently being used in a Pilot Program in the City of San Marcos. This program can detect where a gun shot occurred, what type of gun was used and also pick up information about explosions. This is a free program, and the data collected is only retained for 30 days. It provides another investigative tool to assist the Sheriffs in the apprehension of individuals involved in illegal activities. If you go to www.sdsheriff.gov and then click on the Community site and Safestreets you can obtain more information. You can also email Sheriff Malan at john.malan@sdsheriffs.org for questions or further information.
Government Reports
City of Vista – There will be a budget workshop on May 8th for the City Council. Also being discussed in future meetings concern the Parks and Recs fees proposed, the public hearing results for city streets, the Safestreets Program proposals. May 27 meeting will concern the LiveWell San Diego proclamation and missing sidewalks in the city presentation. Information passed out about the new transportation program the North County Transit Districts will begin on May 19 in Vista. This will be available for short trips to work, school and connecting NCTD locations.
Kristal Jabara from Supervisor Jim Desmond’s Office – The Supervisor took part in a roundtable discussion on the continuing sewage issues in South Bay and the problems associated with the sanitation plant in that area. Also currently under discussion is the Veterans Federal Voucher Program to assist veterans in renting homes/apartments. Kristal Jabara will be moving from the San Diego area and assuming another position in the State of Washington. She was thanked for her work with the Supervisor and the time she has taken to update the Government Affairs Committee on what is happening in the County Supervisors Office and the issues important to the City of Vista.
Ryan Ewart from Assembly Member Laurie Davies Office – Several of the Assembly Member’s bills have moved out of the Appropriation Committee, AB 544 and 545. These bills are concerned with making sure E-bikes have red lights on them when in use and making sure E-bikes are qualified as an E-bike when capable of excessive speeds on the roadways. The Assembly Member opposed AB 942, a bill that shortens the time individuals can get solar credit. A reminder that May 7 is the final date to get a Real ID and there will be a Senior Scam Stopper presentation on May 9 at El Corazon in Oceanside from 9:30-11 AM.
Fernando Hernandez from Senator Catherine Blakespear’s Office – A list of proposed budget and program cuts were read as well as upcoming Senate Bill proposals
Salome Tash from Congressman Mike Levin’s Office – the Congressman has moved to a new location in Carlsbad close to Palomer Airport. The Congressman recently took part in a roundtable discussion about Veteran benefits. At a press conference the Congressman spoke about the President’s proposed tariffs and their impact on local businesses. He is backing a bill on protecting coastal estuaries with historic or recreational value and also spoke about the effect of the Tijuana sewage crisis and its effect on estuary’s.
Rachel Beld, CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce – May 9th will be the Rising Star Scholarship Luncheon where 34 scholarships are awarded to high school students – $61,000 in awards. May 25th is the Strawberry Festival in Downtown Historic Vista and a new contract will bring in carnival rides that will be on the school fields close to the downtown area. They offer $35 wristbands, good for all day rides. Also presented is the proposal from the Committee for Homelessness to move the Navigation center to 200 Michigan Street, where Lifeline is currently located. The Chambers Internship program is underway.
Vista Irrigation District – On May 5th at 1:30 PM a meeting will be held concerning the proposed rate increase. It was reported that Frank Nunez will fill the District 2 seat for VID.
From Guajome Park – Friday May 30th from 6-9:00 PM the school will hold a Community Mixer celebrating the school and networking. Go to www.Foundation@guajome.net for more information.
The next Government Affairs Committee meeting will be Thursday, June 5th.
