In the aftermath of the pandemic, many RVs and large vans have taken residence in the streets and parking lots around Mission Bay, a situation that has captured the attention of city officials and residents alike.
Some residents residing in these vehicles are believed to have substantial assets, which raises questions about their circumstances, as others struggle to maintain dilapidated RVs barely holding together.
However, a crackdown has commenced, with city police intensifying parking enforcement and directing residents to the newly established safe parking site at H Barracks.
This shift has facilitated the city’s ability to encourage campers to relocate.
Mariana Martínez Barba, a member of Report for America, recently spoke with Council President Joe LaCava regarding both long-term and immediate strategies for addressing the needs of the Mission Bay occupants.
One of the proposals discussed included re-striping parking lines to create diagonal spaces that cannot accommodate RVs, thereby restricting their presence in the area.
Conversely, Barba also interacted with two individuals who expressed that the city’s designated overnight parking site is not a viable solution for them.
They cited the daily requirement to vacate the site, which poses a financial burden due to the cost of fuel.
In a separate matter, County Supervisor Jim Desmond has called for a federal investigation into allegations of misconduct within county government.
Desmond, a Republican vying for a congressional seat, submitted a letter to U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon on Monday, requesting a thorough, independent probe into the circumstances surrounding the retirement of County Counsel Claudia Silva and suspected irregularities linked to ongoing litigation.
This request follows the newly formed Democratic majority on the county Board of Supervisors, under the leadership of Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, taking steps to conduct an emergent performance review of Silva just before her retirement announcement.
Reports revealed that Silva is set to receive a severance package totaling at least $535,000, an amount that Desmond has deemed excessive compared to her 2022 contract.
In his letter, Desmond alluded to a story published by La Prensa San Diego concerning the alleged motives behind Silva’s departure, which included an email from a county bureaucratic official suggesting a potential quid pro quo arrangement involving Lawson-Remer.
Previous articles by Voice of San Diego have shed light on accusations that Lawson-Remer and former supervisor Nora Vargas engaged in improper conduct to hinder a previous executive’s career advancement within the county.
Desmond has expressed his belief that external scrutiny is necessary given the concerning revelations.
In an interview, he voiced his shock at the magnitude of Silva’s severance package and affirmed he had already reached out to the county District Attorney’s Office to look into the matter.
While a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office has confirmed Desmond’s previous inquiry, they refrained from discussing whether an investigation is underway.
On the other hand, a spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated they could not disclose whether the Department of Justice is pursuing this case.
Desmond, who had abstained from attending two private meetings concerning the county counsel role, underscored the need for external review.
In response to Desmond’s requests, Lawson-Remer’s spokesperson, Spencer Katz, criticized Desmond for choosing to exploit the situation for political gain.
“Desmond missed the meetings, but not the chance to launch a partisan Fox News smear to mislead voters with false rumors and boost his congressional campaign,” Katz contended in a statement.
In other news, a recent report highlighted some unusual happenings at the San Diego Zoo as bobcats broke into a facility three times last December, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of a flamingo, a magpie goose, and an antelope.
As a precaution, the zoo has since taken measures to enhance security and is working on trapping and relocating the bobcats.
Interestingly, while hunting bobcats became illegal in California around 2019, discussions are underway regarding the potential reinstatement of such practices this year.
In San Diego, residents can also anticipate higher parking fees in downtown areas surrounding Petco Park during Padres games and major events, with rates climbing to $10 per hour in a new “special event zone.”
Meanwhile, the San Diego Central Jail experienced a critical incident last week as inmate Karim Talib, aged 82, died in his cell, marking the sixth death in a San Diego County jail this year. Inmates reported that Talib was in medical distress; however, he did not receive necessary medical assistance.
Moreover, city officials disclosed that the downtown City Operations Building has been put up for sale or lease as it remains nearly vacant and is in poor condition.
Lastly, cannabis sales tax revenue in San Diego has seen a considerable decline, with a report indicating that the city collected only half the cannabis tax in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2021.
This compilation of stories underscores the pressing matters within San Diego, from housing and municipal affairs to wildlife encounters and financial challenges.
image source from：voiceofsandiego
