San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo here: happy Friday!

Welcome to this week's Raul Roundup, your go-to source for the latest news, updates, and insights from our community and City Hall. Here’s what’s been going on this week:

What the Holiday Spirit is All About

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of providing every 5th grader at Linda Vista Elementary School with holiday gifts. Each 5th grader received a bundle with three gifts, ranging from Legos to Nerf balls to markers and more.

As a former 5th grade teacher myself, this event had extra special meaning for me. My experience as a teacher was part of the Teach for America program, where I taught in one of the poorest school districts in the country in North Las Vegas, NV. Those years are a big part of why uplifting children and families is such a core part of my mission as an elected official.

The smiles on everyone’s faces on Saturday were nothing short of incredible. Ensuring our kids feel seen and supported during the holidays is what community is all about, and I have to give immense gratitude to Laborers Local 89 for providing the funds to make this event possible.

Another Update on Smart Streetlights

I’ve talked a lot in the Raul Roundup about how big a fan I am of Smart Streetlights and Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) because of their impressive ability to boost safety in our city. (If you need a refresher: Smart Streetlights and ALPRs are technology that help our Police Department detect, deter, and solve crimes).

This week, the City Council heard and approved a measure to provide our Police Department with more flexibility with the locations of the technology. When Smart Streetlights were originally approved, the way the law was written only approved the technology at specific light poles and locations.

However, as the Police Department began installation, they found that many light poles did not have enough power for the tech, did not even exist anymore, or otherwise were unsuitable. The amendment that came before the City Council this week gives the Police a two-block zone to place the cameras instead of being limited to specific light poles only.

During my comments at Council, I used the chance to remind the public just how effective Smart Streetlights have been. They have:

Recovered $3 million in stolen property, including stolen vehicles
Helped arrest a domestic violence kidnapping suspect in District 7
Taken 10 dangerous firearms off the streets
Assisted in hundreds of investigations overall

Most recently, Smart Streetlights and ALPRs were critical in arresting the burglar who had broken into multiple Tierrasanta businesses.

As I said in my inauguration speech last week: to be true to ourselves as a city, we must begin with the prioritization of public safety, neighborhood infrastructure, and economic prosperity.

Child Success Champion: Erin Hogeboom

This week’s Childcare Champion is Erin Hogeboom!

Erin is the Founding Director of San Diego For Every Child, which has been a key advocacy partner on initiatives like the establishment of OCYS, as well as an important bridge-builder between government and community partners to advance child and youth priorities.

We reached out to Erin to ask her a couple questions:

Q: What drives you to work so hard to support kids and families in San Diego?

I believe whole-heartedly in our collective responsibility to and for all children. Though becoming a working mom has made this work real for me in ways it wasn’t before, I began doing this work long before I became a mother. I think being a community, a city, a state, a country means supporting not just what’s good for your kids or my kids, but what’s good for all kids. A strong measure of a healthy society is how well our youngest are doing—and not just some of them—but all of them. Their success is our success. If they’re whole, happy humans, we all benefit, whether we have kids or not. That’s why I work so hard on this, because I think some day we can be a San Diego, a California, a nation that operates in a way that supports all our kids!

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of when it comes to childcare, kids and families?

I’m proud to be part of the efforts that helped realize our County’s first-ever Child Care Blueprint, and our City’s first-ever Child and Youth Plan. I’m even prouder that both plans really reflect the perspectives of those closest to where these policy proposals will be actualized. I think these plans give our community a clear path forward. They embolden us to shrug off a deficit mindset and believe in what’s possible. They call us to reflect on how we all benefit when we start investing in children, youth, and working families differently. I’m proud to be part of the legacy that’s helping to forge that new path.

If you’d like to nominate someone for us to consider for this recognition, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Dredging the Old Mission Dam

One of the greatest treasures of District 7 is Mission Trails Regional Park. I’ve worked tirelessly to improve Mission Trails through my work as the Chair of the Mission Trails Regional Park Task Force, as an advocate for the Bridge for Max, and as a partner with the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation to launch a Hike-a-Thon to raise money for the Park.

Most recently, though, I joined staff at Mission Trails to celebrate the beginning of dredging of the Old Mission Dam. Built in 1803 by the Kumeyaay to control water flows through the San Diego River, the Old Mission Dam is a vital part of our history and community.

Over time, silt and debris continually collect behind the dam, impacting its structural integrity. By dredging the dam, we not only make it safer but also improve water quality by removing excess sediment, debris, and pollutants, creating a healthier environment for aquatic life.

I was proud to secure the funds for this much-needed project. Ongoing maintenance ensures it remains a lasting tribute to its origins and continues to serve future generations.

Bringing joy to the world, one chocolate bonbon at a time (Union-Tribune)

Remember a few months back when I wrote in the Raul Roundup about my small business outreach to Iris Delights, a local chocolate shop in Tierrasanta? This week, the U-T wrote an article about Iris, including an interview where they ask her about her life and motivation. I recommend the article, and can’t suggest their chocolates enough – truly amazing!