HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-15; Carlsbad Police Department Proposed Participation in Operation Stonegarden (Districts - All); Calderwood, ChristieCouncil Memo -Carlsbad Police Department Proposed Participation in Operation Stonegarden
August 15, 2024
Page 2
According to Border Patrol, during fiscal year 2023-24, Carlsbad had twelve documented
maritime incidents (potential Human Trafficking and Drug Smuggling) on our beaches. The most
notable was on April 13, 2024, which garnered nationwide media attention. During this incident,
a motorized boat traveling at a high rate of speed drove onto the shore of Carlsbad city beach
near surfers and beachgoers. Numerous persons were observed exiting the boat, some carrying
bags and some appearing to be minors. The individuals were observed fleeing into nearby
residential areas and vehicles. These types of maritime incidents in Carlsbad have also resulted
in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit narcotics, including fentanyl, and firearms.
Discussion
Carlsbad has seven miles of coastline and a major freeway with multiple on-and-off ramps. The
coastline and freeway transportation corridors could bring border-related crime (i.e. drug
smuggling and human trafficking) into the surrounding areas, including Carlsbad.
The Carlsbad Police Department's mission during Operation Stonegarden would be to preserve
life by ensuring safety at sea, to deter narcotics smuggling through vigilant patrols and
enforcement, and to rescue victims of human trafficking. By leveraging federal funding and
resources, the Carlsbad Police Department will bolster its capacity to respond swiftly to maritime
incidents, ensuring the safety of coastal communities while upholding humanitarian principles in
protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation and harm.
This grant would allow personnel from the Carlsbad Police Department to work with other law
enforcement entities throughout San Diego County on reimbursable overtime to address border-
related criminal activity. The coordinated operations will occur within Carlsbad and Carlsbad
personnel will focus their efforts on the north coastal areas. Most other San Diego County police
agencies participate with the San Diego Sheriff's Department on this grant.
Agencies across the county currently participating in the Operation Stonegarden grant program
include: San Diego County Sheriff's Department, San Diego Harbor Police, Chula Vista Police
Department, Escondido Police Department, La Mesa Police Department, El Cajon Police
Department and the Oceanside Police Department.
Staffing Operation Stonegarden will be on an overtime basis only and will not affect the normal
daily operations within the Police Department. On grant overtime, Carlsbad Police personnel
would generally work with the Sherrif's Department and other allied local, state, and federal
agency personnel conducting activities similar to:
• High-visibility enforcement and traffic stop activity in high-intensity drug trafficking areas
along the beaches and land borders.
• Offer ground support for aerial flights during the day and night.
• High visibility criminal interdiction and covert interdiction operations.
• Specific operations targeting urban and rural border areas of San Diego County.
Council Memo - Carlsbad Police Department Proposed Pa rticipation in Operation Stonegarden
August 15, 2024
Page 3
This grant process involves each local agency submitting overtime requests to the San Diego
Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department will forward the San Diego County request to the
State Administrative Agency, which will then submit the reimbursement request to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
Next Steps
Unless directed otherwise, the Carlsbad Police Department will continue the preliminary grant
application process for the Operation Stonegarden program. The department will seek Cit y
Council approval before committing to any formal agreement or securing grant funds.
cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Reid Shipley, Assistant Chief of Police