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Home My WebLink About2026-07-09; Update on the Police Department's Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) Team (Districts - All); Calderwood, ChristieCouncil Memorandum July 9, 2026 To: From: Via: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager (j'\Y {city of Carlsbad Memo ID# 2026030 Re: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Christie Calderwood, Chief of~~c~ Update on the Police Depart ' Community-Oriented Policing and Problem- Solving (COPPS) Team (Districts -All) This memorandum provides the City Council with an update on the recruitment and staffing of the approved Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving Team {COPPS). City Council approved the addition of six Police Officers on March 24, 2026, to implement a Community Engagement Division that would oversee the new COPPS team, the existing Homeless Outreach Team and the Rangers. The six sworn Police Officers includes one Lieutenant, one Sergeant and four Officers. Discussion Following City Council's approval in March 2026, the Police Department, in partnership with the Human Resources Department, initiated the recruitment and hiring process for six new Police Officers. At the same time, an internal recruitment process was conducted to staff the Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Team. The team is now fully staffed, with one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, and four Officer positions filled. Since its formation, the COPPS Team has been actively engaging with community stakeholders, identifying crime trends that can be addressed through focused problem-solving strategies, and supporting Patrol, Traffic, and Investigations operations. As of July 1, 2026, the COPPS Team is fully operational and actively serving the community. The mission of the COPPS Team is to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life in Carlsbad through proactive community engagement, collaborative problem-solving, crime prevention, and the implementation of sustainable, long-term solutions. The team is committed to building strong partnerships with community members, beginning with neighborhoods and local businesses. As part of the revitalization of the Neighborhood Watch Program, COPPS Officers are establishing monthly meetings with Block Captains to share information, discuss crime prevention strategies, and provide valuable resources. The team has also been meeting with organizations such as the Carlsbad Village Association and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce to introduce the COPPS Team, collaborate with business representatives to address community concerns, exchange ideas and solutions, and establish streamlined communication channels. These partnerships strengthen collaboration, enhance public trust, and contribute to a safer, more connected community. Police Department Administration 2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 442-339-2100 t Council Memo -Update on the Police Department's COPPS Team (Districts -All) July 9, 2026 Page 2 The COPPS Team will be certified in CPTED in August, which is "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design," because long-term solutions that discourage crime are often found through design changes or upgrades in the environment. Simply improving lighting, trimming landscaping, a clean environment with regular maintenance, and a good network of partners and stakeholders, can deter criminal activity. This training certification will add a pivotal piece to the team's success in serving the community. A dedicated Police Officer has been assigned to each Council District to provide a consistent point of contact for community concerns that are unique to that district. This approach is intended to foster continuity in communication and ensure a dedicated resource for addressing issues that require long-term attention and collaborative solutions. Council Members will continue to communicate with the City Manager regarding concerns and complaints that require Police Department involvement. The Chief of Police will then determine the most appropriate individual or unit within the Police Department to respond based on the nature of the issue. Initial COPPS Team Accomplishments Although the Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) Team has only recently become operational, the team has already initiated several proactive problem-solving efforts, developed strategic partnerships, and addressed quality-of-life concerns throughout the city. These early efforts demonstrate the team's commitment to long-term solutions through collaboration, community engagement, education, and targeted enforcement. Crossings Golf Course Vandalism The COPPS Team was assigned a series of vandalism incidents occurring at The Crossings Golf Course. Officers conducted a comprehensive site assessment with golf course management to identify vulnerabilities and develop preventative strategies. Trail cameras were strategically deployed throughout the property, and department-wide extra patrols were coordinated to increase Police presence. These efforts resulted in the arrest of a juvenile who was unlawfully driving a vehicle on the golf course causing extensive damage. The team is continuing to work with The Crossings Golf Course management to implement additional security improvements, including enhanced fencing at identified access points to reduce unauthorized entry. -../_ ., Officer Richins installing trail camera at the Crossings Council Memo -Update on the Police Department's COPPS Team (Districts -All) July 9, 2026 Page 3 Targeted Enforcement -La Costa Town Square In response to ongoing community concerns involving juvenile e-bike and e-motorcycle activity at La Costa Town Square, the COPPS Team met with property management to develop long-term solutions. As a result of these discussions, property management agreed to implement a "No Riding" policy throughout the shopping center and establish designated e-bike parking areas. COPPS Officers conducted targeted enforcement and educational efforts throughout the shopping center while working closely with shopping center security personnel to identify repeat offenders, enhance information sharing, and develop coordinated strategies to address ongoing juvenile e-bike and e-motorcycle-related issues. As a result of the Police Department's coordinated enforcement and education efforts targeting e-bikes and e-motorcycles, calls for service at La Costa Town Square decreased significantly, dropping from 40 incidents in May to 16 incidents in June. Community Outreach and Education Building community trust and strengthening relationships remain core components of the COPPS Team's mission. COPPS Officers, Community Service Officer Holly Martinez, and Senior Volunteer Ray Pearson recently presented to approximately 30 community members at the Carlsbad Senior Center. The presentation introduced the newly established Community Engagement Division and COPPS Team, highlighted the team's mission and responsibilities, and provided attendees with information regarding available community resources and crime prevention efforts. Council Memo -Update on the Police Department's COPPS Team (Districts -All) July 9, 2026 Page 4 Strategic Partnerships -Agua Hedionda Lagoon/ Trestles For many years, the Trestles Bridge area has generated recurring calls for service due to individuals, particularly juveniles, trespassing onto the railroad bridge and jumping into the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, creating significant safety concerns and requiring frequent Police response. The COPPS Team has already begun building partnerships with organizations that play a critical role in public safety and environmental stewardship. Officers met with representatives from NRG to strengthen collaboration regarding the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and Trestles area. Through these efforts, the team established direct points of contact with NRG, SDG&E, NCTD, the Encina Wastewater Authority, and City of Carlsbad staff. Working collaboratively with these stakeholders, Officers developed access procedures for enforcement within the vacant Oyster Farm property and identified several long-term security enhancements, including improved lighting, expanded camera coverage, vegetation management, and updated signage. The team also requested detailed property maps to enhance officer familiarity with the area and support future trespass enforcement and problem-solving efforts. Utilizing these newly established partnerships, the COPPS Team is actively developing and coordinating additional long-term strategies to deter juveniles from accessing the bridge, with the goal of improving public safety and reducing the recurring calls for service associated with trespassing and bridge jumping. ~ '-; -·-·----------~ Carlsbad Municipal Water District staff making repairs Site assessment with NRG General Manager Council Memo -Update on the Police Department's COPPS Team (Districts -All) July 9, 2026 Page 5 . ,' . JI ') COPPS Officers MacNeil, Richins and Jones removing illegal "rope swing" from trestle's bridge COPPS Team Supervision Council Memo -Update on the Police Department's COPPS Team (Districts -All) July 9, 2026 Page 6 Community Service Officer The Police Department assigned a Community Service Officer formerly working in the Patrol Division to the new Community Engagement Division. COPPS Team Officers COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER HOLLY MARTINEZ * Council Memo -Update on the Police Department's COPPS Team (Districts -All) July 9, 2026 Page 7 The COPPS Team has a designated email address so that the community can submit information and inquiries and in turn receive a direct response from the COPPS team. This information has been updated on our website. The email address is: PoliceCOPPS@carlsbadca.gov cc: Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Manager Cindie McMahon, City Attorney Ryan Opeka, Assistant Chief of Police Faviola Medina, Community-Police Engagement Commission Staff Liaison Members of the Community-Police Engagement Commission