Encinitas Sheriff’s Department Presents Summer Safety Plan

At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Capt. Sherri Sarro of the Encinitas Sheriff’s Department made a presentation about the Coastal Enforcement Team. The program was started for summertime law enforcement on the beach.

The eight-person team will include six officers from Encinitas and two from Solana Beach. Sarro said the program has already been successful, with arrests made and deputies interacting with businesses and residents. A large aim of the program is crime prevention, and police will go where the community needs them.

The program will utilize Sheriff Bill Gore’s Intelligent Policing Model, which Sarro describes as “drilling down to the roots” of a local crime problem. There will be a larger police presence, with bike patrols, motorcycle deputies and quads on the beach.

“You may see a deputy in shorts and a T-shirt and flip-flops,” or “you may see them in a smock in 7-Eleven being a store clerk,” Sarro said.

Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan applauded the effort. She said, “People are saying it feels different” and “people really appreciate this strategic plan to raise the bar for safety.”

With the increase in tourism, beach attendance and the San Diego County Fair, Sarro said, “Our overall mission is to have a safe and enjoyable summer here.”