Dear Oceanside Community,
As your Police Chief, I am committed to ongoing dialogue and action on the issues that matter most. I want to personally thank each of you who took the time to attend our recent Police Chief Listening Sessions. Your participation and feedback are invaluable as we work together to make Oceanside a safer and more vibrant place for everyone.
Two concerns stood out as the most consistent for those who attended: quality-of-life traffic issues, and homelessness.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge these concerns and share our plan to address them.
Traffic Concerns: We heard loud and clear that issues such as excessive speeding, loud exhaust, loud music, e-bikes, and off-road motorcycles are impacting your daily lives. While staffing and resources remain challenges, my goal over the next year is to establish two additional positions within our Traffic Services Unit specifically dedicated to addressing quality-of-life traffic complaints.
Homelessness: Many of you expressed concerns about individuals living in RVs, encampments in riverbeds, and the impact of homelessness on public spaces. We recognize the complexity of this issue and are taking action. The City has recently hired a Homeless Services Manager to help coordinate efforts and develop a comprehensive compassionate approach. We have also opened a Safe Parking lot for those living out of their vehicles. Additionally, once staffing allows, I intend to fill two currently vacant Crime Suppression positions that are critical to our city cleanup operations. Homelessness Efforts Update
These efforts will be fluid and dependent on staffing, resources, and other community priorities. However, I remain committed to addressing these challenges and keeping our community concerns a priority as we move forward.
Thank you for your partnership and engagement in making Oceanside a great place to live. Please continue to share your thoughts with us and stay engaged, your voice helps guide our work.
Sincerely,
Taurino Valdovinos
Chief of Police
