Public Safety Shares Holiday Spirit with the Community

A probation officer shops with a girl at the 2022 shop with a cop event.

The holidays are a time of giving to others, and County Probation, Sheriff’s and District Attorney are getting in the spirit with several programs that make a difference in the communities they serve.  

Shop with a Cop 

For many in law enforcement, it’s just not December until multi-agency patrol vehicles caravan from Sea World to Target with kids as part of Shop with a Cop. The event is hosted by STAR/PAL, a local non-profit organization that builds relationships between youth and law enforcement. This year’s Shop with a Cop event is Saturday, Dec. 2. More than 300 deputies, officers and agents will accompany 300 children on a $200 shopping spree at Target on Sports Arena Boulevard. The children are selected by school counselors and officer referrals.  

Sheriff’s deputies with a shop with a cop participant.

Probation Holiday Helpers 

STAR/PAL is also organizing a Santa’s Pals Holiday Giveaway on Tuesday, Dec. 19, where 115 children who have been referred for the event due to family hardship can enjoy hot cocoa, play in snow, visit Santa Claus, and receive a gift. San Diego County Probation officers are participating as helpers. 

DA Holiday Breakfast 

The District Attorney’s North County Family Justice Center is inviting back all the families they have served in 2023 for a Holiday Breakfast, celebration and gifts on Saturday, Dec. 9.  

Sheriff’s Department Gift Baskets 

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department volunteers bring holiday gift baskets to community members who are part of the You Are Not Alone (YANA) program. Typically, YANA participants have no close family or do not leave their homes.   

Toys for Tots 

Sheriff stations and substations will be collecting new unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign.  

The District Attorney’s CARE Center will be doing a toy giveaway in conjunction with Toys for Tots on Saturday, Dec. 15. 

Holiday Shopping Safety 

Deputies are also providing an extra layer of security by monitoring shopping center parking lots throughout the county from SkyWatch, a contraption that looks like a cherry picker but carries sophisticated equipment such as a heat-sensing camera with high-power, high-resolution lenses.  

The Sheriff’s Department also suggest: 

• Shop during the day when possible and shop with a friend. 

• Be aware of your surroundings. 

• Don’t overload your arms with packages and bags while shopping. 

• Park in a well‐lit area. 

• Have your keys out and ready when approaching your car. 

• Be aware of how you carry your purse or wallet. Don’t make it easy for someone to grab. 

• When parking, lock your car doors and take valuables with you. 

• If you absolutely must drop purchases off at your car and continue shopping, consider moving your car to another parking spot in case there are criminal spotters who might have seen you loading up your car with bags. This extra step could make a criminal think you are leaving. 

Home Vacation Checks 

For those who may be going out of town for the holidays, you can request free home vacation checks in advance to have Sheriff Volunteer Patrol members check on your home while you are away. This free service is available year-round. 

Holiday Bowl Parade 

The Sheriff’s Department rounds out the season with its leadership and mounted patrol participating in the Holiday Bowl Parade on Dec. 27. 

AAACE Turns 10!

Join the African American Association of County Employees for a 10th anniversary party on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. The ERG event will be held at Spacebar, 7454 University Ave, Unit A, La Mesa, CA 91942. RSVP now.

Founded in 2013, AAACE continues to proudly serve and represent County employees through connection, inspiration and success.

Learn more about AAACE.

See the flyer below.

Help CECO Support Local Nonprofits This GivingTuesday

This GivingTuesday you have the chance to have a big impact on your friends, neighbors and community. The San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) donates 100% of the funds they raise to local community organizations and employees in need.

This year alone, CECO has awarded $110,252 in grants to 68 local nonprofit programs  throughout the San Diego region, along with employees and retirees in need. All this is possible because of employee donations.

There are two simple ways to give to CECO:

1. Become a biweekly contributor for as little as $2 per pay period or increase your current biweekly contribution by $1.

2. Make a one-time donation with cash, by check, PayPal Giving Fund or Donorbox.

CECO is committed to diversity, equity and upholding the charitable arm of County of San Diego employees. Since 1956, CECO has distributed over $7 million to the local community by way of grants to local non-profit organizations and assistance to eligible employees and retirees in need.

Learn more about CECO.

Gallery: Show Us Your ‘Ugly’ Holiday Attire

PROBATION DEPARTMENT, REENTRY SUPPORT UNIT in 2022

‘Tis the season for ugly holiday sweaters, suits, dresses, ties and more.

It doesn’t matter if the festive fashion is store-bought or homemade, we want to see your holiday style! Submit a photo of your holiday outfit and/or take a look at how your coworkers are putting the merry and bright in fashion this season.

Submit a photo of your merry and bright holiday outfit.

Animal Services

Probation ADministration Center

Lillian Gabat, Nerissa Groyon, Monaliza Asis, Emily Pascua, Lynna Barrientos, and Maria Paz  - DPC Mission Valley (HHSA)

Desiree Romero Office Assistant, In-Home Supportive Services, Aging and Independence Services

Andrew Gregor, County Counsel, and Lilly Payton, BHS, Communication & Engagement

California Children’s Services, San Diego North Medical Therapy Unit

Treasurer-Tax Collector, Special Functions Division

Annika Manlutac, Lilly Payton, Megan Huey, Cassandra Surban, Evan Hodges, BHS, Communication & Engagement

Treasurer-Tax Collector, Special Functions Division

APCD Business Support Service Division

Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch

PDS Land Development

Self-Sufficiency Services - North Central Family Resource Center

Self-Sufficiency Services - North Central Family Resource Center

Self-Sufficiency Services - North Central Family Resource Center

Chula Vista RCC

Central Region – CFWB Angelica Valdez, Vanessa Cabrera, Diana Lopez, and Karlet Ornelas

Department of Public Works – Management Services Division - Financial Services

Southeastern FRC

BA2 team from North Coastal Court Intervention: Nicolette Dux, Israel Carreon, Maria Pearson, Krista Paddock, Roxana Osorio, Katie Smith, and Lisa Uzitas

SSS – National City Family Resource Center

Christy Carlson, Compliance Officer, Director, Business Assurance and Compliance, Health & Human Services Agency

Jon Aasted and Jennifer Sieber at DHR-HR Services

CVO office – Realty Assessment Clerks, Claudia and Roxy & SDTTC Tax Collectors, Gloria and Anita

Darwin Espejo and Rhonda Crowder, BHS Programs & Services

Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities – Office of Equitable Communities - Community Action Partnership (CAP)

North Coastal Child & Family Well-Being-Office of Child Safety 

County Counsel Paralegals -L to R Samantha Cheetham and Danielle Murray

L to R: Leah Samaniego, Probation Department; Marizel Palustre, Child and Family Well-Being; and Miriam Legaspi (right), retired Sheriff employee

Winthrop Parker, Administrative Analyst III, Child and Family Well-Being-Polinsky Children’s Center

Spring Valley Community Center – Parks and Recreation

National City FRC

County Counsel HHSA Advisory Team
Front Row: Kathryn Wotherspoon, Caitlin Rae, Andrew Gregor, Katherine Hart
Second Row: Emily Genovese, Anjana Pottathil, Jane Rhee, Liza Manio, Lisa Macchione, Kyle Sand, Liliana Gomez, Raquel Young
Photobombing Spider-Man style: Joy Nagal

North Coastal PHC Public Health Nurses, Supervisors, Support Staff & Santa

L to R: Janet Velazquez, Geny Campos, Eugene Choi
Financial & Support Services Division, AIS

Jon Aasted, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources

SAF UNIT,National City FRC

Ivonne Torres and John Patino, AWM-Pest Detection

Maria Gomez, RCC

Sherry Brideau, Admin Analyst II, Probation

Kellen Hopp, Graduate Student Worker, Office of Strategy and Innovation- Live Well San Diego Support Team

Joanna Rivera, Human Service Specialist, Self- Sufficieny Services-North Coastal Family Resource Center

Jackie Ho, Epidemiologist II

Rod Gullo, M.Engr., Retiree, Aging & Independence Services

Megumi Sueda, Adult Protective Services Specialist ,Aging and Independence Services

Lakeside Community Center staff and Lindo Lake Park stafF, DPR

Public Health Services- HIV, STD & Hepatitis C Branch

Behavioral Health Services Office of Programs & Services

P. Maria Pham, Human Resources Specialist PSG, Department of Child Support Services

DLM Branch Staff, Front row L to R: Lydia & Olga Lucia, Back row L to R: Alicia, Polly & Elias

Back row: Carla Zubiria, Nina Jimenez, Lindsey DiMartino, Kisa Roberts
Mid row: Fukiko Heineman, JoAnn Scott, Karen Miller, Yvette Saborio
Kneeling: Soheyla Talebimarandi, Rosa Cortez, Leah Nelso

County Counsel employees left to right: Lisa Storing, Roxy Phelps, Inga Lintvedt, Shiri Hoffman, Monica Hall, Danielle Murray, Sam Cheetham, Andrew Gregor, Antonia Smith.

Epidemiology & Immunization Services Branch Promotion, Outreach, & Programs Team

North Central Family Resource Center

Auditor and Controller, Office of Revenue and Recovery

North Coastal Family Resource Center

Abby Sterk, Legal Support Assistant II, AIS

Eric Lohmann, Information Technology Specialist

Mission Valley, Document Processing Center

From L to R: Bernadette Almendra, Erica Salmeron, Monica Morales, Rowena Agapito, Daniela Barba and Jack Ramsay, Recorder County Clerk (RCC).

A Symbol of Peace

The County Administration Center was lit Wednesday night as a symbol of peace.

Get Outside on Green Friday

Head outdoors this Friday, Nov. 24 for “Green Friday”. County Parks and Recreation is again hosting the annual holiday to encourage more quality time together outside on the day after Thanksgiving.

Parking fees will be waived that day so visitors can picnic, play and explore 380 miles of trails at  dozens of County parks without worrying about fees !

So go green. Plan your own adventure or attend one of several events planned throughout the holiday weekend. Events are active, educational and open to residents and visitors of all ages, interests and abilities.

For more Green Friday details, visit County News Center.

CAO Message: I'm Giving Thanks for All That You Do

Message from Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer:

County colleagues,

Through your work, we touch San Diegans’ lives in countless ways. As we head into Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for every way that we are able to make a positive difference. 

I appreciate all the effort that goes into planning and carrying out our services. I’m especially grateful for the way you respond when things happen that we weren’t planning on. I want to mention just a few instances that really stand out to me this past year. 

Starting with the unexpected: The disruption on our Board was a first in anyone’s memory. County staff kept things running smoothly and made sure the district’s residents got what they needed. I’m so thankful to everyone who rolled with it and kept their focus on serving the public. 

Related to that, let me express my gratitude to the entire Registrar of Voters team. They cranked up the election machinery for a couple special elections that went off without a hitch. Especially as we head into a presidential election year, it’s reassuring to rely on this group’s dedication and professionalism. 

The County has stepped in to help with the influx of asylum seekers released in San Diego. Many employees have been called to pitch in at the temporary welcome center, working long hours and weekends. I’m proud of their resourcefulness and thankful to have that kind of support.

A tropical storm was a big surprise! We're all grateful it didn't deliver the damage we braced for, but I appreciate all the quick public safety and public works preparations to make sure we were ready.  

We know public health incidents occur, but it's always without warning. Recent responses to local E. coli and salmonella outbreaks made me grateful for all the staff watching out for our health. 

Turning to planned efforts, I'll single out a few recent highlights I'm thankful for. The opening of the Southeastern Live Well Center was the culmination of years of work to build a facility with the community, for the community.  

The Live Well Center is a premier example of how we're truly putting community engagement at the center of all we do. From our engagement portal to the outreach we do across all kinds of projects, we're deeply involving our residents in how we provide services. 

The CARE Act program gives us new options to address a critical area of mental health treatment, and I appreciate the cooperation and delicate balancing of interests that have gone into getting it running.  

I'm grateful for our efforts to promote understanding of neurodivergence, so we can create conditions for all our employees to flourish and be more attentive to the needs of people we serve.  

We continue to have staffing shortages, and I'm impressed by all the innovative steps we've taken to ramp up hiring. It is a challenge, and I'm very grateful for everyone's patience while we try to bring on the help you need.

I’m noting crises and big initiatives here because they tend to occupy my attention. But I know the types of skills and mindsets I see in those high-profile events are on display every day in every service we deliver. Flexibility, compassion, innovation, a customer focus – you bring these to the job as a matter of course. I’m incredibly grateful for that, because I don’t know how we’d ever work on the immense challenges facing us otherwise. 

I hope each of you enjoys the break from your hard work over this long Thanksgiving weekend. May your stomachs be full and your hearts fuller. And a big thanks to County staff providing essential services through the holiday.  

Laying Wreaths Across America

Members of VALOR employee resource group have helped lay thousands of wreaths at graves in national cemeteries in the past few years as part of Wreaths Across America.

Show your support for the fallen and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and way of life. VALOR employee resource group invites fellow employees to sponsor a wreath for this year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at Miramar National Cemetery. The annual wreath-laying event takes place at hundreds of locations across the U.S., at sea and abroad on Dec. 16.

The event is an opportunity to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and to teach future generations about the value of freedom.

Sponsor a wreath now.

Shining a Light on National Injury Prevention Day

The County Administration Center was lit Saturday night for National Injury Prevention Day.

PerkSpot: Save on Gifts for Hosts

Get ready for all the Friendsgiving gatherings, holiday house parties and winter celebrations now. Stock up on host gifts including flowers, sweets and other personalized gifts for less on PerkSpot.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers, from toys and jewelers to pet food and cars. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.