Carlsbad — Police Chief Christy Calderwood told the Community Police Engagement Commission on Oct. 28 that enforcement under a municipal ordinance addressing vehicle habitation has produced warnings, citations, arrests and tows since enforcement began in May.

Chief Calderwood said the department gave 32 written warnings, issued 40 citations for unlawful camping, made five arrests and towed 13 vehicles between May and September. “The goal is to get people that would like help, the help that they need,” Calderwood said, adding that enforcement targets people who refuse offered services.

On parking enforcement, Calderwood said the department issued more than 7,000 parking notices and warnings across the city between Jan. 1 and Sept. 1 to address safety and accessibility concerns, including 72-hour parking enforcement and timed-parking turnover in the village.

Calderwood reviewed the Oct. 18 “No Kings” protest in Carlsbad Village and said the department estimated roughly 7,000 people attended in Carlsbad and that about 30 officers worked the event with drone support; there were no arrests and no reported incidents. “We had about 30 officers working just this event on that date,” Calderwood said, noting significant pre-event planning and coordination to protect First Amendment activity.

Calderwood also showed a redesign of the department web pages. The police front page is accessible through carlsbadca.gov/departments/police and includes crime statistics, online complaint/reporting forms and a link to recruiting at carlsbadpolice.com.

Commissioners asked how enforcement and related overtime are accounted for; Calderwood said overtime is tracked and then reflected in subsequent budget requests. Commissioners also asked whether the city had identified a “safe parking” lot for overnight parking; Calderwood said she was not aware of any city-level discussion or approval on that point.

The chief described the Police Explorer program (ages 14–21) as longstanding and active, with 20–40 participants who receive training, ride-along opportunities and event support.