“We have had drug overdoses. We have had prostitution in the restrooms, we have had fights,” said Library Director Misty Jones.
SAN DIEGO — San Diego police are intensifying enforcement efforts in and around the Central Library in downtown San Diego through a new initiative dubbed “Operation Overdue.”
The operation aims to combat ongoing drug activity and violence, a response to mounting complaints from library staff and the surrounding East Village community.
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“We have had drug overdoses. We have had prostitution in the restrooms, we have had fights,” said San Diego Library Director Misty Jones. “Unfortunately, sometimes if there’s a beef out on the street people will come in the building and bring that beef with them, so we’ve seen a lot of things that are not acceptable.”
Police Chief Scott Wahl announced the operation Friday morning, citing a long history of issues in the area.
“You’re going to see a collaborative effort from other departments that are going to make sure this is a clean, healthy, safe environment for everyone to enjoy,” he said during a news conference Friday morning.
“Much of it will be done on overtime, because we do not have the staffing we need in the city, it will require police officers to come in on overtime to address these issues,” he added.
He said the operation will include both uniformed and undercover officers.
The area has been plagued by incidents including drug activity, assaults, and even a murder that occurred just outside the library in July.