The Del Mar City Council received a public safety update on June 2 from North Coastal Sheriff’s Capt. Shane Watts, who reviewed decrease along key categories of crime and an emphasis on deputies being more visible throughout the community.
“I’m a firm believer that if we are out in the community being proactive that our visual presence alone can deter crime, and that was the ultimate goal, to decrease our crime here and engage with the community and be more active,” Watts said to council members.
There was a 48% increase in deputy initiated activity from 2023 to 2024, followed by a 43% increase from 2024 to 2025. Most of it was from extra patrols, in addition to foot patrols, traffic stops and special detail, according to data from the sheriff’s office.
“It’s the proactive engagement, it’s driving around the community, it’s getting out and doing foot patrols, it’s conducting those traffic stops and just being visible in the community,” Watts said.
Throughout 2025, crimes against persons decreased 20%, crimes against property decreased 32%, narcotic-related crimes and other crimes against society decreased 32%.
Watts said the sheriff’s office continues to enforce e-bike regulations, particularly when it comes to younger riders, as well as bans on eclectric motorcycles that can reach more than 50 mph and are illegal on public roads. He said they have seized more than 30 electric motorcycles so far this year.
“It’s a balancing act for us to engage with the youth that are on these because a lot of times they flee from us and they evade, so we have been getting creative in our response, and a lot of times that involves us driving around in unmarked vehicles in an undercover capacity, observing the illegal riding behaviors and then when it’s safe to do so making contact with the rider.”