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This week, I’ll explain a new technology that will greatly improve how agencies throughout the region make emergency notifications, plus important reminders for having a safe graduation season. Here’s the full lineup:

• New emergency notifications tool
• Graduation ceremonies coming, please stay safe
• Sponsors announced for TGIF Concerts
• Help the environment by fixing what’s broken
• Call for artists for Barrio traffic circle art project
• Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with a guided hike
• Carlsbad Library hosting its first authors fair
• Eyes of the golf world on Carlsbad

New emergency notification system announced 

This week, police, fire and emergency management leaders from throughout the region announced a new technology that will make emergency evacuation instructions more precise and efficient. 

The new Genasys System will allow first responders to use more geographic boundaries when setting up evacuation zones and then directly notify people for that zone. Once danger has passed, the system will also make the process of getting people back home more efficient.

Before, first responders used a grid system to plan evacuations. Now, during an emergency, Carlsbad’s Police and Fire departments will use the new 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. 

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 and 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.

Tips for a safe graduation season

As the school year comes to a close over the next few weeks, many students and families in Carlsbad are gearing up for graduations and end-of-the-school-year parties.

This is a wonderful time full of celebrations, transitions and new beginnings. It’s also a time when we see more underage drinking, so the Carlsbad Police Department is asking our entire community to be safe and vigilant.

Here are tips our Police Department is sharing for a safe graduation season:

• Talk openly with your teens about the dangers of underage drinking. 
• Set clear rules about alcohol with your teens and make sure they know the consequences.
• Know where your teens are going and who they’ll be with. Ensure they’re attending supervised events.
• If you’re hosting a party, make sure it’s alcohol-free or that alcohol is only served to those over 21. Adults who don’t follow these rules can face serious fines under the City of Carlsbad’s Social Host Ordinance.
• Encourage your teens to call you if they need a safe ride home.
• Use extra caution when driving around schools hosting ceremonies, keeping an eye out for people crossing the street and slowing down for extra traffic.

Remember, we are safer when we work together. Congratulations to all Carlsbad graduates and their families.

DUI checkpoint this weekend

The Carlsbad Police will conduct a DUI checkpoint this Friday, May 31, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city.

The Police Department chooses DUI checkpoint locations based on data on impaired-driving collisions. The checkpoints help take suspected impaired drivers off the road and help keep the public safe.

• Please remember that impaired driving involves more than just alcohol. Marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter drugs can also interfere with driving.
• Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving cause one-third of all traffic fatalities in California, according to the state Office of Traffic Safety. The agency recently awarded the city a grant to help pay for enforcement tools like checkpoints.  

Here is a behind the scenes look at how these checkpoints work.  

First sponsors announced for TGIF Concerts 

Our first TGIF concert is coming up in just a few weeks, and we are happy to announce two title sponsors for the season: the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation and Rincon Homes.

You might remember the city launched a pilot program this year offering businesses and other organizations an opportunity to become sponsors. (It’s not too late to become a sponsor if you know of a local business that would be interested.)

Thank you to the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation and Rincon Homes for supporting our TGIF Concerts in the Parks series. We are looking forward to another wonderful season! Dates, locations and band information are available on our website, along with information about a new security check process at the concert entrances this year.

 You can also sign up for email updates about TGIF Concerts in the Parks.  

Help the environment by fixing what’s broken

If you’ve got broken items such as electronics, small appliances, clothes, toys and bikes, you can learn how to troubleshoot what’s wrong and possibly repair them at our Fixit Clinic scheduled for June 8.

Onsite experts will provide workspace, specialty tools and give you guidance. Even if we can’t fix it, you’ll learn more about how it was made and how it works.

The clinic will have a garden theme, meaning you can also:

• Make a planter using repurposed materials
• Have your garden tools sharpened
• Pick up a kitchen caddy from Republic Services for food scraps recycling

The clinics help the city meet our environmental sustainability goals by helping residents repair broken items instead of replacing them.

Fixit Clinic

Saturday, June 8

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Register online

Calling local artists

If you know any local artists, please encourage them to consider submitting a proposal for a new artwork planned in Carlsbad’s historic Barrio area. The piece will go in the center of a new traffic circle at Pine Avenue and Harding Street. This project is part of the city’s Art in Public Places program and helps support our Arts & Culture Master Plan.

The deadline is June 24.

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month at trail volunteer event

June is Great Outdoors Month, and in Carlsbad, there are plenty of ways to celebrate, such as exploring some of our 67 miles of city trails. If you’re ready to get started, we’re hosting an easy, guided group hike and cleanup along the Rancho Carrillo West Trail this Saturday, which also happens to be National Trails Day.

You can learn about the trail (and the peafowl you may encounter) in this video:

Rancho Carrillo West Trail hike

Saturday, June 1

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Leo Carrillo Ranch parking lot, lower level

6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane

• The hike will start at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park and move at a pace that’s comfortable for everyone.
• Parks & Recreation staff will lead the group and share some information about our summer trails programs, including volunteer opportunities.
• Please wear closed-toed shoes, comfortable clothing and a protective hat or sunscreen, and bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Gloves will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own.
•  Email our event coordinator to RSVP.

Carlsbad Library hosting first local author fair

On Saturday, you’ll get a chance to meet and support authors from Carlsbad and the surrounding region at the city’s first local author fair. More than a dozen writers will be on hand in the courtyard at Dove Library to talk about their work.

• Chat with local authors about their books, writing process and inspirations.
• Explore a wide range of genres, including mysteries, romances and thrillers.
• Browse and buy books that interest you.

Local author fair

Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m.

Kulchin Courtyard

Dove Library

1775 Dove Lane

Plan ahead with the city’s construction map

Before you head out for work or play next week, don’t forget to check our weekly construction map to see where city projects are happening 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.

City meetings next week

There will be no City Council meeting next week, but several of our city boards and commissions will be meeting.

The meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch. See the meeting schedule on our city calendar.

Eyes of the golf world on Carlsbad

Some of the nation’s best collegiate golfers have been in Carlsbad for the 2024 NCAA Golf Championship at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.

The women teed off last week, with Stanford taking home the title. On Wednesday, Auburn claimed the men’s championship.

Omni La Costa has long been a venue drawing the best golfers in the world, including 30 years hosting the Mercedes Championships (originally called the Tournament of Champions) from 1969 to 1998. In 1999, Omni La Costa hosted the inaugural WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and went on to host the event six more times. In 2010 and 2012, the resort hosted the Kia Classic, a popular LPGA Tour event.

The NCAA Golf Championship is also scheduled to take place at the Omni La Costa in 2025 and 2026.

Yet another reason to be proud of our great city!

Once again, congratulations to all Carlsbad graduates and their families. I’ll be back next week with more updates.

Scott Chadwick

City Manager