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This week, I’ll share updates on the city’s progress in reducing homelessness and its effects on the community, give an emergency preparedness reminder and preview tomorrow’s very apropos TGIF concert. Here’s the full rundown:



• More progress in efforts to reduce homelessness
• Reminder to download new emergency tool
• Top marks for water quality
• Celebrate the music of Jimmy Buffett at TGIF
• Unleash your creativity at the Library’s Exploration Hub
• Helping seniors get around safely
• Sign up for fall Citizens Academy
• Plan your route to avoid traffic delays
• City meetings next week

More progress in efforts to reduce homelessness

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the City of Carlsbad’s homeless response team reported steady progress in their efforts to help people experiencing homelessness and reduce the effects on the community.

The team provided its semi-annual update on the Homelessness Action Plan, which includes the programs and initiatives the city will carry out over the next several years and measures that will be used to track progress.

• Their report reflects data from the first half of the fiscal year, July through December 2023, and the 2024 Point-in-Time Count results.
• Reviewing this data together helps give the city a full picture on our progress.

Here are some highlights: 

The report shows continued improvements in reducing the impacts of homelessness on the community when comparing the same period from the last two fiscal years.

• Overall, the number of total police calls for service related to homelessness decreased by 14%.
• Dispatched calls for service, or calls initiated by community members, dropped 46% between fiscal year 2022-23 and fiscal year 2023-24.
• Proactive calls for service, where police officers conduct community checks, increased by 20%. (During the city’s traffic safety emergency, officers from the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team were temporarily reassigned to support traffic safety efforts. After the emergency proclamation ended in fall 2023, these officers returned to their homeless outreach duties, including conducting more frequent proactive calls for service.)

Looking ahead

The City Council also approved agreements Tuesday for two homeless services programs.

First, a new grant from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development will pair supportive services with the city’s Housing Choice Voucher program for people transitioning from homelessness to housing.

• This program will address individual needs and help people create goals like accessing health care, increasing income and budgeting to help them stay in housing.
• Funds will also be used for mental health and substance abuse treatment services as needed.

Second, the city’s employment and benefits services program has also been extended to continue connecting people experiencing homelessness to employment and benefits.

• Since October 2022, the program has helped 65 people find employment or apply for benefits.

Reminder to download new emergency tool

Tuesday’s brush fire in Del Mar reminds us that being near the coast doesn’t eliminate the risk of fire.

Fortunately, emergency responders put out the flames quickly with no injuries or damage to property. Still, they evacuated thousands of residents as the fire grew to 19 acres before forward progress was stopped.

To coordinate during the emergency and spread the word on evacuations, first responders used a new technology called genasys Protect, which we have also adopted in Carlsbad.

• During an emergency, Police and Fire departments use the system to plan, conduct and communicate instructions to specific neighborhoods, called zones.
• Carlsbad first responders have customized the zones based on their specific knowledge of our city and previous emergencies, like the 2014 Poinsettia Fire.
• Police, fire and emergency management leaders from throughout the region are also using the technology.

Visit the genasys Protect website or download the genasys Protect app to find your zone and subscribe to alerts. You can also sign up to be notified about incidents affecting zones where family members live, where you work or other locations.

Don’t worry, you will be notified about emergencies in your area even if you don’t subscribe, but having the app will make it easier to check on the status of your zone during an incident. Likewise, if you have signed up for AlertSanDiego, the new system will automatically contact you using the information you provided there.

Also, please visit our emergency preparedness page, which has resources like a quick start guide to make sure you are ready should situations like wildfires arise. 

Top marks for water quality

This week, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District released its 2023 Water Quality Report, which shows it is continuing to meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards. Delivering clean and safe drinking water is one of the core services and benchmarks in the Carlsbad City Council’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, as part of our commitment to being “brilliant at the basics.”

Every summer, water districts are required to publish detailed reports on drinking water quality. This year's report covers:

• Detailed water quality test results
• Information about where our drinking water comes from
• Conservation tips to help residents use water wisely
• Contact information for local, state and federal water agencies

Staff frequently test water quality for a variety of potential contaminants and continually monitor stored water to keep it safe and reliable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Water Quality Report is available now on the city’s website.

The Carlsbad Municipal Water District operates as part of the City of Carlsbad, delivering water to about 85% of the city. The southern part of the city is served by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the southeastern area is served by Vallecitos Water District. Find your water district.

Read the 2023 Water Quality Report.

Celebrate the music of Jimmy Buffett at TGIF

Our second TGIF concert of the season will return to Stagecoach Park this Friday with a feel-good, island-inspired performance by Jimmy’s Buffet, a Carlsbad-based tribute band that celebrates the life and music of the late Jimmy Buffett.

If you’re a Parrothead or just love great music with a laid-back summer vibe, join your neighbors for a memorable night of dancing, singing and an all-around good time.

Friday, June 28

Field opens at 4 p.m.

Concert starts at 6 p.m.

Stagecoach Community Park

3420 Camino De Los Coches

I mentioned last week that new security checks are in place for this year’s concerts. Here are a few tips to sail through security:

• When you get to the security station, set your bags on the table. If you have coolers or wagons, please open those for a quick check
• Step over to security staff with a wand for a quick metal scan
• You're all set—go on in and enjoy the concert

Watch how the process works.

Getting there

• These concerts are very popular, so please carpool if possible to reduce traffic (or arrange to be dropped off).
• If you live nearby, consider riding your bike and letting our bike valet handle the parking for you.
• If you bike, please wear your helmet (it’s required for riders under 18), use front and rear lights and wear bright, high-visibility clothing to make sure drivers can see you.
• If you’re driving, free parking is available at nearby La Costa Canyon High School. There isn’t shuttle service for concerts at Stagecoach because we have parking close by.

Unleash your creativity at the Dove Library’s Exploration Hub 

At Carlsbad City Libraries, borrowing books is only the start.

For instance, at Dove Library we have a unique resource called the Exploration HUB, with all kinds of technology you can use to create special projects or learn new skills. The library hosts demos and orientations on the high-tech hardware and software, so you can learn how to use the equipment and teach others as well.

Watch the video for a tour of the HUB:

Here are four things you can do at the Exploration HUB, no library card required:

1. Get creative in 3D: We have a 3D printer in the Exploration HUB that you can use to print 3D objects using a special software.
2. Craft like a pro: Use our Silhouette Cameo cutter to turn paper, cardstock and fabric into custom pieces, using special software to create the designs. Make decals, stencils and other custom items.
3. Learn to code: Interested in learning some simple computer programming? At the Exploration HUB, you can learn to code arcade games, a robotic car and more.
4. Preserve old VHS tapes or photographs: Do you have old photos or VHS tapes lying around that need to be restored? We have tools to convert those old items to digital formats, so you can keep those memories safe and easily accessible.

Helping seniors get around safely

The City of Carlsbad provides essential services that help older adults in our community live active, independent and fulfilling lives. One of the most important services we offer is roundtrip transportation to the weekday lunch program at the Carlsbad Senior Center for seniors who don’t have a driver’s license.

• During the last fiscal year, the transportation team provided more than 3,600 rides to Carlsbad seniors enrolled in the transportation program.
• These rides are an important lifeline for seniors who may not be able to drive anymore, but still want to be involved with our community. 
• After lunch, special activities like concerts, bingo sessions and movie screenings take place at the Senior Center. Seniors in the transportation program can stay and get a ride home afterward.
• Shopping is also part of the mix. Each Wednesday, the transportation team takes participating seniors to a local store where they can stock up on groceries and essential supplies.

Who’s eligible for transportation service?

• Carlsbad residents 60 and older who don’t have a driver’s license can sign up for the city’s transportation services.
• Advanced registration and approval are required. Participants must be able to walk short distances and get on and off the bus under their own power.
• A voluntary $4 contribution is requested.
• To learn more or register, contact our transportation team at 760-613-8042. For additional transportation service options, dial 2-1-1.

In December 2021, the Carlsbad City Council approved North County’s first Age-Friendly Action Plan, which lays out a vision for meeting the needs of older residents. Last September, the City Council also approved an update to the City of Carlsbad’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which calls for extensive programing for adults 50 and older.

Enhancing quality of life and safety is also one of the top goals in the City Council’s 5-year Strategic Plan.

Sign up for fall Citizens Academy



We still have a few spots available for the Fall 2024 Citizens Academy. This popular program always fills up, often with waiting lists, so let us know right away if you’re interested.

The Citizens Academy is a free, seven-week program providing a unique behind-the-scenes look at your local government. You will:

• Meet City Council members, department leaders and staff
• Learn how decisions are made, how funds are allocated and how departments operate
• Find out how to get more involved in city issues, programs and events
• Tour city facilities, see public safety demonstrations and meet work crews

The fall session meets weekly on Thursday evenings, from Sept. 12 through Oct. 24, with one daytime bus tour.

Applications are available online.

City meetings next week

There’s no City Council meeting next week, but the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Monday at Council Chambers. 

You’re always welcome to attend meetings in person. You can view the livestream on the city’s website and watch the meeting on-demand afterward. You can see our full meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Plan your route to avoid traffic delays

Don’t forget to check our city construction map each week to see where city projects are happening around town that may impact traffic.

Checking the map allows you to plan ahead and take an alternate route, saving you time and helping to keep traffic flowing safely through construction zones. Remember, the map only shows city projects, not work being done by utilities or private companies.

With Thursday being the Fourth of July, I wanted to give you a heads up that this e-newsletter will get to your inboxes a day early on Wednesday.

Take care, stay safe and enjoy this wonderful time of year in our remarkable city.



Scott Chadwick

City Manager