Veterans Day

Thank you to all of our veterans, both near and far. We are forever thankful for your sacrifice and service. City facilities will be closed on November 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

 

2023 Veterans Day Parade

Escondido VetFest put on by American Legion JB Clark Post 149, will be held on November 11. This year's parade and accompanying events start at 9:30 a.m. on Grand Avenue.

 

Small Business Saturday 2023

"Tis the season to Shop Small! Small Business Saturday is on November 25 this year. The Escondido Downtown Business Association and our wonderfully eclectic downtown businesses are working together to provide a full day of shopping fun with discounts, special offers and prizes.

 

Shop, eat, and explore downtown Escondido to discover special treats, sales, and discounts, while collecting stamps to fill your bingo card. Get bonus squares for purchases and participating in activities like a photo booth, art activity and the downtown lighting ceremony.

 

North County Mall Tree Lighting Ceremony

Join the North County Mall for their Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 10, from 6 - 7 p.m. Gather around with friends and family as they flip the switch, illuminating North County Mall into a breathtaking winter wonderland. And the kids can help decorate Santa's favorite cookies.

 

 

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

1467

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:

 

Escondido Business News

Two public meetings for SDG&E customers to provide input on proposed electricity rates CBS 8

CCAE Theatricals re-establishes itself as independent nonprofit, announces upcoming season The San Diego Union-Tribune

Escondido working on short-term rental ordinance for early 2024 Fox 5

Habitat for Humanity continues to make homeownership achievable for San Diegans CBS 8

The Food Hit List: November 2023 San Diego Magazine

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources

Are You Looking for Assistance with Your Small Business?

Discover the range of San Diego and Imperial Valley SBDC services provided to assist you in starting, growing, and succeeding with your small business. Services offered span topics including accounting, marketing, human resources, technology security, manufacturing, distribution, and finance.

Request for Assistance from SBDC  Follow the link to request assistance from the San Diego SBDC Network. You will be contacted within the next 1-2 business days.

Free Online Webinars

Marketing Power Hour (English/Espanol): 11/13 from 5-6 p.m.

Basic Audit & New Year Preparation: 11/15 from noon - 1:30 p.m.

Build Customer Loyalty with Excellent Customer Service: 11/15 from 1 - 3 p.m.

Project Your Sales + Plan Your Marketing: 11/15 from 10 a.m. - noon

You Have a Brilliant Business Idea, Now what?: 11/15 from 9 a.m. - noon

Cybersecurity Awareness A Guide to Safeguarding Your Business: 11/16 from 1- 3 p.m.

City of Escondido Economic Development Contacts

Request a Meeting with Our Team

Thinking about starting a business? Already have a business and need additional support? Have a property and looking for tenants or starting improvements? Reach out and we can help you navigate City and community resources to achieve your goals.

The Economic Development Team are always available to help with questions or connecting you to the right resources. Do not hesitate to reach out!

Subscribe to our Business News and Insights Email Newsletter!

 

 

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Review

On June 7, 2023 the Escondido City Council approved the 2023-2028 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document outlines data and community feedback about the City's economy and outlines a five-year plan to improve the local economy.

Let's dive into the first section of the CEDS which takes a deep look at the City's Economic Data:

The Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) seeks to measure average monthly rent in each housing market. When compared to neighbors in North County and Riverside County, Escondido's observed rent index followed a similar pattern between 2015 and 2023. Most cities experienced slow but persistent growth between 2015 and the start of 2021, including through the first months of the pandemic.

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Gun Seizure

Escondido Detectives with the Special Investigations Unit and Gang Investigations Unit assisted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with a takedown of multiple suspects who have been selling firearms and narcotics to undercover agents for approximately 10 months. ATF has purchased more than 20 illegal firearms from these suspects and on the day of the takedown, seized 6 more firearms, magazines, ammunition and one kilogram of cocaine (see attached photograph). Three total suspects were arrested on various charges relating to firearms and narcotics dealing.

 

Burglary Alarm

We are so lucky that all departments in our City work so well together. This past week, officers responded to a burglary alarm at a local business. The building was secure, but there was a suspicious van parked at a gas pump. The gas pump was running and the hose and nozzle had been routed into the cargo area of the van. There were two 225-gallon drums full of gas inside. The pumps were disabled to stop the flow of gas, but then the officers were left with a hazardous material issue. Fire Department personnel responded to help and figure out the safest way to transfer the gas and safely tow the unattended van. Later in the day, it was determined that 450 gallons of fuel had been stolen from the business.

San Diego County Hazmat Emergency Response Team, San Diego City Hazmat Team and our fire department all came to the business, but no one had the capability of safely siphoning the gas from inside the van and returning it back into the gas station tanks. The heroes of the day were our own public works personnel. They brought out their biggest forklift and were able to remove both 1300lb containers for the fuel company and not spill a drop. Thank you to all our partners for working with us to resolve this issue.

 

 

Community Resources

Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)

Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/

Helicopter Announcement Transcription:

Call 858-866-4356 or text "Hello" to 858-866-4356

Megan's Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:

Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240

It's Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org

Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211

National Drug Helpline: https://drughelpline.org/contact/ or call 844-289-0879

Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

 

On October 30, Fire crews from Station 6 were dispatched to Del Lago Academy due to the report of a hazardous materials incident, in the school's science lab. Crews arrived, along with San Diego Hazmat Team to isolate spill. Students were displaced for close to one hour, but were able to safely return to their classrooms. No injuries occurred or damage to property.

Also, on October 30, the Escondido Police & Fire Communication Center received reports of a brush fire in the Rancho Bernardo area. Fire crews from Station 4 responded as mutual aid to Metro (San Diego Fire). Escondido Fire assisted with suppressing the approximate ten-acre fire on the side of the freeway. The fire is under investigation. No injuries were sustained.

 

On Halloween, Fire crews from Station 7 visited the south side of their district in Old Escondido and hosted trick or treaters at their Engine and Ambulance. With the amount of candy given out from the firefighters, it turned out to be a popular neighborhood for all to enjoy the nightly fun.

 

 

On October 4, Fire Crews were dispatched to a residential structure fire at the 1900 block of Vermont Place. Reports stated a fuel container on fire. On arrival, crews located a small, contained fire on the exterior of the structure, which was quickly contained. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the source of the fire was a small pile of lithium batteries. Escondido Fire Prevention and San Diego Hazmat 2 assisted with safe disposal of the remaining battery material. No injuries were sustained.

Also, on October 4, Escondido Fire, along with Escondido Police, responded to reports of a vehicle rollover on South Escondido Blvd, northbound, just north of Felicita. When crews arrived, the vehicle was on its side. Firefighters were able to remove the driver and patient was then transported to local hospital. Escondido Police are investigating this accident.

 

 

 

We were happy to welcome back the safe return of our Escondido Firefighters, from OES 8334, part of Type 3 Strike Team 6848C, along with Captain Teague from the Highland Fire in Aguanga, CA. Crews were released from duty the afternoon of November 4, 2023. They did a significant amount of steep and technical hiking patrols in over two, 24-hour shift work cycles. The crews are in good spirits and are happy to be back home with their families.

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

1. The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 72 applicants, processed 56 applications, and issued 81 permits.
2. The total permit valuation for the week was $22,316,769.00
3. Building inspectors completed 202 inspections.

 

Field Engineering Division:

 

1. Field Engineering processed 1 permit

2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 34 inspections

3. Field Engineering active 250 permits

 

Development and Capital Projects Update:

Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? The link below directs to an interactive dashboard of projects currently in various stages of the development process. Browse project descriptions, see locations on the map, browse photos and more.

City of Escondido Project Dashboard

 

 

To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.