This is a message from Captain Manansala to the Northern Division Captain's Advisory Board of which I am a member. It really highlights the tremendous work being done by the officers serving our community. I'm sharing this with his permission. If you see officers in our community this weekend, please take time to thank them.
"As we approach this busy Labor Day holiday weekend, I just wanted to give you a couple of updates and highlight some of the excellent work being done by Northern Division Officers and Detectives as they do their utmost to keep your communities safe:
On July 9, 2023, officers were involved in a vehicle pursuit with a stolen motorcycle that began as an equipment violation in the 2700 block of Garnet Ave. The pursuit ended in the area of 4600 Nimitz Blvd where officers took the suspect into custody after he ran upon abandoning his motorcycle. The suspect was in possession a sales quantity of methamphetamine, burglary tools, and numerous keys for vehicles and safes. He was arrested for numerous theft and narcotics related charges.
On July 19, 2023, officers responded to a hot prowl burglary in the area of 4300 Ocean Blvd. A male suspect broke into the location while the occupants were asleep and took property from the location. One of the occupants was awakened and took a picture of the suspect before he fled the location. Police responded and located the suspect several blocks away where he was arrested and positively identified as the burglary suspect.
From July 8, 2023, through August 13, 2023, Northern Officers have been involved in several pedestrian or vehicle stops resulting in numerous felony arrests and the seizure of a total of 15 firearms. All of these proactive stops and arrests were made in the Northern Beach communities (primarily Pacific Beach and Mission Beach).
This is just a small fraction of the tremendous work being done by the Northern Team in recent weeks in doing what they can to address crime and stem gun violence from coming to your communities. In other news I wanted to keep you apprised of a significant promotion with the Department – last week former Northern Captain Scott Wahl was promoted to Assistant Chief of Legislative Affairs and Constitutional Policing, where he will oversee the units that are involved in legislative mandates and compliance with federal, state, and local laws that impact the Department.
Additionally, I wanted to update you all of the Northern Labor Day holiday staffing plan as we approach this weekend. The Department has once again authorized mandated 12 hours patrol shifts beginning the Saturday, September 2nd, through Monday, September 4th. As such, many patrol officers from throughout the city will descend upon the Northern Coastal communities over the long weekend to significantly increase police presence along the beaches and bays as we anticipate large crowds and warm weather. During peak hours throughout the holiday weekend, expect to see approximately 150 officers a day spread out amongst Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla. We will be maintaining the Police Command Post in the parking lot of Belmont Park as is customary with the summer holiday operations. Thanks to many of you who have donated food and provisions to take care of our officers throughout this coming weekend.
Lastly, I wanted to acknowledge the increase in violent calls throughout the city wherein officers have been shot at numerous times within the past few months. Within the last 12 months San Diego Police Officers have been shot at by suspects at least nine times.
Earlier this month, Northern Officers responded to a call of a shooting in the Mesa College Area where two suspects fired upon a victim driving a vehicle. When officers confronted one of the armed suspects, it resulted in an officer involved shooting wherein the suspect shot and killed one of our Police Service Dogs.
A few days later, a Northern Officer in Field Training, was shot at while he and his partners attempted to chase a vehicle theft suspect on foot in University City. That incident resulted in an officer involved shooting as well.
And just as recent as this past Tuesday in Southeastern Division, several officers took a barrage of gunfire from a barricaded homicide suspect as they placed themselves in harm’s way and attempted to rescue a downed victim in a driveway. Several SWAT Officers from Northern Division answered the call and responded to that harrowing incident.
The heroics of all of the officers involved in these incidents cannot be understated. It is a stark reminder that the brave men and women of the San Diego Police Department place their lives on the line every day to serve and protect the communities of San Diego. I have attached the links for the press releases of these incidents for your review if you are interested (in line with current County protocols the San Diego Sheriff’s Department investigates any officer involved shooting by SDPD, that is why the press releases are from the Sheriff’s Department FYI) .
I wanted to wish you and your families a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend and wanted to thank you all for your continuous support for Northern Division throughout the year. Thanks again for all you continue to do.
With gratitude,
Erwin Manansala
Captain – Commanding Officer
San Diego Police Department
Northern Division"