CAMPBELL CHRONICLES

May 2, 2025
 

Dear {{firstname}},

 

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time where we honor the Jewish American community and recognize the important role that Jewish people have held in shaping American culture, history, and development. For generations, Jewish people around the world have faced persecution and been forced to seek refuge and safety in countries like America, where they have contributed greatly to the cultural makeup of our country.

 

Many people don't know that Judaism is not an ethnic group - it is a religion. Jewish people come in all races and backgrounds and live all over the world. The Jewish people have existed for the past 6000 years. These are the people who brought the concept of "one God" to the world. They also brought the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and the Old Testament. One of the basic tenets of Jewish teaching is that we must help our neighbors and be of service to our community. This is also the American way of living.

 

Jewish people first settled in San Diego as early as the 1850s, with Louis Rose being one of the first Jewish San Diegans. He helped establish San Diego's Jewish community as a founding member of Congregation Beth Israel, now known as Temple Beth Israel, which is San Diego's largest synagogue. He built what is now the Point Loma neighborhood of Roseville with the intention of making it a new city to rival Alonzo Horton's "New Town" of San Diego.

 

Many Jewish Americans have faced discrimination and hate in recent years, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that San Diego is a safe and welcoming place for people of all religious and ethnic backgrounds, especially with the recent increase in hate crimes and antisemitic behavior in California and across the country. I will continue to work to make San Diego a safe and accepting city for all people.

Sincerely,

Councilmember Jennifer Campbell
District 2
San Diego City Council
 

Approval of Contract with Jewish Family Service to Operate Safe Parking Program

On April 22, the City Council voted to approve a contract with the nonprofit Jewish Family Service of San Diego to continue operating the City's Safe Parking Program, including the new 190-space Safe Parking Lot that will be opening soon at the former H Barracks. The Safe Parking Program is one of our City's most successful programs at helping its participants secure permanent housing.

 

City of San Diego 2024 Crime Briefing

On April 22, the City Council heard an update from the San Diego Police Department on crime rates in San Diego, which have fallen overall for the third year in a row. San Diego remains one of America's safest large cities and I am so grateful to our police officers for their work to keep our city safe. It is especially good to see that hate crimes are beginning to decrease in San Diego, thanks in part to efforts like the California Stop Hate Littering Act, authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) and the creation of SDPD's new Hate Crimes Unit.

 

Denim Day 2025

On April 22, the City Council recognized Denim Day, a worldwide tradition that began in Italy when a court wrongfully blamed a victim for her sexual assault because of the jeans she was wearing. Denim Day reaffirms our commitment to ending sexual violence and supporting survivors of sexual assault. The San Diego Police Department and City Attorney's Office have worked hard to pursue justice for victims of sexual assault, and I am grateful to their staff and the many community organizations for their efforts to address the issue of sexual assault.
 

Bay Park Utilities Undergrounding Project Completion

Last Wednesday marked the completion of the removal of more than three miles of overhead power lines in Bay Park, and the undergrounding of utilities in the neighborhood to improve safety and enhance community infrastructure. This project included many neighborhood investments, like improvements to 56 curb ramps and the addition of 34 streetlights. Thank you to SDG&E, the City's Transportation Department, and IBEW Local 465 for your hard work on this project!
 

H Barracks Safe Parking Lot Opens

Today, the City's newest Safe Parking lot at H Barracks officially opened in District 2. The Safe Parking Program has proven to be one of our most successful homelessness programs because many people that come to stay in these Safe Parking lots are able to return to permanent housing. This new site will almost double the capacity of the entire Safe Parking Program and will have on-site service providers and case managers to help participants access the support they need to get back on their feet. I want to thank Mayor Gloria for his continued partnership in addressing the homelessness crisis, and Jewish Family Service, who will run this Safe Parking lot.
 

28th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour on May 3

Join the Clairemont Town Council on May 3 for the 28th annual Clairemont Garden Tour! This tour brings the community together and highlights the beautiful neighborhoods and gardens of Clairemont. See the unique and beautiful outdoor spaces, meet your neighbors across Clairemont, and learn about how to make your outdoor space more productive and sustainable. Additionally, the Garden Tour Expo at Toler Elementary School will feature San Diego Master Gardeners, food, live music, and many community programs and educators. Learn more and pick up your Garden Tour ticket by clicking the button below.
 

Point Loma Trash Pickup Event

On April 22, staff from the Environmental Services Department completed a trash pickup event for residents of Point Loma. They collected 0.13 tons of recyclable waste and 1.22 tons of non-recyclable waste for a total of 1.35 tons. Thank you to our Environmental Services team for their hard work to serve the residents of District 2!
 

Next Phase of Work for Pure Water SD

Beginning April 17, crews started installing the next phase of traffic control on Clairemont Dr. to allow for pipeline installation in Bay Park. This traffic control will span between Lakehurst Ave. and Clairemont Mesa Blvd. As it is installed, one northbound and one southbound lane of traffic will be maintained through the work zone. Pipeline installation will take place between 7am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Welding and other work to finalize pipeline installation will take place between 4:30pm and 11pm. This phase of work is anticipated to last approximately four weeks, but this schedule is subject to change. For your safety, please follow all posted signage. To view the schedule of work and block closures, or to sign up for updates from Pure Water, click the button below.
 

Dining Out For Life

Each year, many restaurants across San Diego participate in Dining Out For Life, a fundraiser where local restaurants donate a portion of their sales to the San Diego LGBT Community Center for their HIV prevention and treatment programs. This year, my team visited Lotus Thai in Downtown and enjoyed a delicious lunch for a good cause. Thank you to all the restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and nightclubs who participated in this year's Dining Out For Life fundraiser!
 

Upcoming Compost Giveaway Events

The City's Environmental Services Department is partnering with I Love A Clean San Diego to give away free, nutrient-rich compost to City of San Diego residents this month. Compost has many benefits, including reducing erosion, saving water, providing energy to plants, and keeping carbon out of the atmosphere, which in turn reduces the effects of climate change. San Diego residents are invited to come by and self-load compost on Saturday, May 3 and Saturday, May 17 from 8am to noon at Sun Runner Lot (5199 Fiesta Island Rd). Registration is recommended but not required, and you can register by clicking the button below.
 

Office of the City Clerk "Passport Pop-Up" Events

The Office of the City Clerk Passport Services is hosting pop-up events at various City facilities that will provide full-service passport processing, including photos. The currently scheduled pop-ups are listed below. For more information or to schedule an appointment, click the button below or call 619-533-4000.
 

City's Street Design Manual Update

The City's updated Street Design Manual is now out for public review and comment. The Manual addresses the many aspects of modern streets that will serve the needs of all users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. To view the Streets Design Manual and submit your comments, click the button below.
 

Have a question or need assistance from the City? Contact your respective Community Representative from my Office:
 

If you need assistance with non-emergency community concerns, please use the Get It Done App or you can call my office or email me directly.

Office of Councilmember
Jennifer Campbell
City Administration Building
202 "C" Street, 10th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

 

619-236-6622