Augmenting its recently intensified enforcement operations in the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Police Department is expanding its presence to the area surrounding the Central Library via a program called “Operation Overdue,” city officials announced Friday.
Recent violent crimes, including stabbings and a July homicide, have sparked safety concerns at and near the library. Its staff, community members and administrators of nearby schools have noted problems involving public drinking, illicit narcotics activity, assaults and other complaints from businesspeople, residents and library patrons, according to the department.
The department will be dedicating uniformed and undercover officers to the library every day of the week, patrolling inside and outside, looking for criminal behavior.
“Following our successful efforts with Operation Last Call in the Gaslamp, we are bringing that same zero-tolerance approach to the Central Library with Operation Overdue,” Police Chief Scott Wahl said Friday. “We’ve heard from (library) staff, students and families that they do not feel safe, and we’re putting an end to that today. We are going to take back downtown and other areas of our city block by block to restore public safety for our residents.”
People who live and work in the Gaslamp Quarter “deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and the concerns surrounding the Central Library demand a stronger response,” said City Councilman Stephen Whitburn, who represents the area.
“As a downtown resident, I share these concerns,” Whitburn added. “Building on the success of Operation Last Call, I’m glad to see SDPD and Environmental Services working together to address criminal activity and improve conditions around the library. This is another important step toward a safer, cleaner downtown.”
Prompted by upticks in crime in the historic heart of downtown San Diego, the SDPD in late August launched Operation Last Call, billed as a high- visibility enforcement effort centered on the intersection of Fifth Avenue and F Street. City officials said the increased presence would remain in place until a notable reduction in violence and illegal behavior is achieved.
Police are stepping up enforcement in the Gaslamp after a series of fights and unruly behavior. NBC 7’s Jeanette Quezada reports.