The Vista Sheriff’s COPPS or Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Unit recently certified four deputies to patrol downtown on bicycles. Four more deputies are expected to be certified in early November. The deputies will patrol the downtown area on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the late afternoon and early evening hours to have a more visible presence for downtown patrons and businesses.
In addition, Community ambassadors are working to enhance the safety, cleanliness, and welcoming nature of Vista’s downtown for residents and businesses. Launched this past May, the team of Clean and Safe ambassadors are connecting with local businesses, giving directions, providing restaurant and retail information, picking up litter and logging maintenance requests requiring the City’s attention, and offering other customer-oriented support to make downtown Vista more inviting for everyone.
“When an area is well taken care of, it looks more inviting, and crime is deterred,” said Block by Block Vice President Daniela Vasile, the company contracted to provide safety and light cleaning services to downtown. “From the sidewalk to the street, our team is there to make certain that things are clean and safe for the community to enjoy.” The program is funded by money the City received through the federal American Rescue Plan Act stimulus bill and is currently funded for two years.
The team of four ambassadors are available to the community Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 10 pm.
