Sheriff's North Coastal captain reports small rises in assaults and vehicle thefts, credits proactive enforcement

Captain Oscar Montanez of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department told the Encinitas City Council on April 16 that the North Coastal station’s year‑to‑date crime totals show a modest uptick in some categories while others have fallen.

Montanez said crimes against persons were up by seven cases compared with the same period last year and that assault reports rose by one case. "Overall, crimes against persons did increase by 7 cases," Montanez said. He added that many assaults were domestic‑type incidents or between people who know each other.

The captain said property crimes fell: burglary offenses declined by six cases and the overall crimes‑against‑property total was down by 12. Vehicle thefts, however, rose: Montanez said his office counted 11 more vehicle thefts year‑to‑date and linked a January spike to a regional series that targeted Toyota trucks. "That has decreased," he said, "so were not sure if either theyre having a harder time coming across the border, or they were arrested on other offenses, but it has slowed down."

Montanez credited a mix of technology and proactive patrols for recent results. He said Flock license‑plate reader cameras helped identify a suspect tied to multiple residential burglaries across North County; deputies executed a search warrant in Oceanside and recovered stolen property. "We actually were able to identify him. We conducted a search warrant, went to his residence in Oceanside, arrested him and recovered some of the stolen items," Montanez said.

He highlighted several other operational trends and enforcement outcomes: larceny thefts rose by about 30 cases, deputy‑initiated activity (proactive contacts) increased 52 percent, arrests were up about 11 percent, and overall calls for service were up 12 percent. DUI arrests jumped 72 percent after the department shifted resources to dedicated DUI enforcement shifts in response to public concern. "I think that weve shown the value of having a car thats out there during the nighttime hours," he said.

Montanez reviewed the work of the COPS and HOPE teams focused on downtown and unhoused outreach: 235 unhoused contacts, 29 encampment cleanups year‑to‑date, 84 field interviews and dozens of citation or arrest actions tied to municipal code enforcement and undercover compliance checks at retail establishments that sell alcohol. He described a strategy of offering resources first and moving to enforcement when individuals repeatedly refuse resources or commit illegal acts.

The captain repeated two operational notes for residents: (1) the Sheriffs Office transitioned to a new report‑writing system in November, and the bureaus figures are "working numbers" until extraction tools are complete; and (2) for non‑emergencies some lines experience wait times and residents should call 911 if they need an immediate deputy response.

Council members praised the departments outreach efforts and asked follow‑up questions about enforcement tools and capacity. Councilmember Robert Schaffer asked whether most enforcement incidents involve a small number of repeat individuals; Montanez estimated roughly "15 and less" of resource‑resistant individuals accounted for many repeat contacts. Several council members suggested expanding timed enforcement or private security in hot spots as interim measures while the city and department pursue longer‑term solutions.

The report covered a range of specific figures residents often ask about: 53 arrests for people assessed as intoxicated and unable to care for themselves under Penal Code 647(f) year‑to‑date; 29 encampment cleanups; and several undercover purchases that led to arrests for illegal alcohol sales to minors. Montanez encouraged residents to use the My Encinitas app for non‑emergency reports and thanked community partners for tips that led to investigations.

Council members and staff said they will continue to coordinate on targeted enforcement and community outreach ahead of the summer season.