HIGHLIGHTS

Public Safety & Justice Reform

Public Safety is always a top priority for the County — making sure that our communities, the people who live in them, and everyone who comes into contact with our justice system, are safe. That means rapid response during regional emergencies, fire protection in the unincorporated areas, improving County detention facilities and helping people in the justice system get the help they need.

Safety and Justice in Action

San Diego County Fire improved fire and emergency medical services in Borrego Springs after the desert community chose to join the County fire protection district in 2023. In 2024, San Diego County Fire added a fire engine, paramedic ambulance and a third firefighter to staff the engine. The County also began renovating the fire station and its aging department administration building.

In August 2024, San Diego County Fire/CAL FIRE started “hardening” homes to protect against wildfires in the Dulzura area. The work was done as part of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program. The program creates fire-defensible space by removing trees and brush right next to homes. It also retrofits homes with ignition-resistant materials, such as metal rather than nylon screens, and fire- and ember-resistant vents for roofs, attics and raised foundations, to keep embers from getting under or into houses.

The County Sheriff’s K-9 unit added four bomb-sniffing Labrador retrievers in 2024, which among other things could expand safety at large-crowd events. The dogs’ ability aim detect even the slightest traces of explosive material and gunpowder in firearms will add protection in events like concerts, sporting events and festivals and parades and at airports, transportation hubs, dignitary visits, active shooter incidents and other high-risk scenarios. The Sheriff’s 28-dog K-9 unit was established in 1967. The dogs are trained in protection, article searches, tracking suspects and drug detection.

County Probation and County Fire teamed up to introduce an education and training program to help justice-involved youth aim for jobs and careers in fire service. The Fuel Crew training program gives the young people hands-on experience in vegetation and fuel management. Those who successfully complete the program become eligible to apply to become seasonal firefighters or forestry technicians.

County Probation held its first North County Community Resource Fair in February 2025 to help probationers and parolees successfully reenter and rejoin their neighborhoods and communities. The free event featured roughly 90 organizations and was designed to provide the help people were looking for in one spot. That ranged from support to finding housing and jobs, to healthcare, food, access to CalFresh, clothing, documents, mental health support and substance use disorder services — even free showers and haircuts. The County also held its second East County Community Resource Fair in April.

“… a County Sheriff came to our home after we called 911 to report a possible break in… He checked all around our property in the pouring rain and said all looked safe. We were relieved and so thankful for his professional friendly visit. We are 90 and 87 years old and feel safe again.”

- Richard C.

The County increased safety at its juvenile facilities like the Youth Transition Campus and East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility in May 2025 by adding a new team — a probation officer and her narcotics-detecting dog, Lilly. The pair will help keep the youth at those facilities safe by checking for illegal drugs.

In June 2025, the County Public Defender welcomed nearly 100 law interns to help, and learn from, County deputy public defenders — both in preparing cases and how to advocate for clients before judges and juries.

County of San Diego - Government

A San Diego County Animal Services animal control officer comforts a dog that was evacuated from the Border 2 Fire...

@sdanimalservices teamed up with the @socalredcross at the Cuyamaca College Evacuation Site, where they collectively served people and pets affected by the Border 2 Fire.

County of San Diego - Government

socalredcross
We're so grateful for @sdanimalservices partnership in caring for evacuated pets!❤️

Looking to give young people who have faced challenges a path toward possible careers as paramedics or emergency medical technicians, San Diego County Fire and County Emergency Medical Services started a new paid-training program in July 2025. The program sought 18-to-26-year-olds affected by the juvenile justice or child welfare programs. Those who are selected are paid a monthly stipend to take part in a five-month, hands-on training program. The program combines classroom instruction, hands-on skills training and regular ride-alongs with local ambulance providers.