EMMA PIRHALA / NEWS EDITOR

Downtown San Diego and its surrounding neighborhoods, such as Gaslamp and Little Italy, are abundant with nightlife and restaurants. However, crime and cleanliness is decreasing traffic to the area. A new plan from the Downtown San Diego Partnership, a nonprofit promoting the downtown district of San Diego, intends to clean up downtown. The proposal was released at a press conference on Sept. 23 attended by local leaders. The five-point plan detailed a pronged approach to reduce crime, drugs and homelessness while promoting tourism and commerce. 

In recent years, crime and homelessness has escalated in downtown. A dashboard by the City of San Diego reported that in the Petco Park neighborhood, crimes against persons, such as assault, murder and rape, increased by 23% within the past three years. Drug use, vagrancy and disorderly conduct, otherwise known as crimes against society, rose by 101%. The rise in crime dampened tourism, negatively impacting businesses in the area. 

Downtown is a popular area for nightlife with many bars in the Gaslamp Quarter, however the risk of crime dissuades some partygoers from going downtown. USD sophomore Maya Tschetter explained why she avoids downtown.

“Yes [crime] is definitely a part of [why I avoid downtown],” Tschetter said. “First of all, I don’t have a car so that makes it tough. But secondly, in some places I don’t feel safe even with my friends, but especially by myself. So going somewhere like Pacific Beach feels a little bit safer.”

However, crime in the area doesn’t deter everyone. Petco Park is a hotspot for USD students, and many people stay safe in other ways. 

USD first-year  Sam Vasquez  helps to feed the unhoused population in downtown each week. 

“So, every single Monday, when we go downtown to feed the homeless, there’s just more and more, every single week.,” Vasquez revealed. “But  the majority of the homeless population is not violent. That’s  a negative stereotype that I hate, that they’re violent and they’re all drug addicts. A lot of them are just people who are down on their luck. But it’s also a stigma that people have about going downtown, that all there is only homeless people, so stay away.”

Vasquez described how she stays safe downtown. 

“Some parts are unsafe,” Vaquez said. “You have to be careful, especially at night. Don’t go alone, bring your peppers spray, like be safe. Because there is a problem with violence, and especially robbery, downtown.”

The Downtown San Diego Partnership’s proposition lists five strategies: improving health and safety, rapid crime response, solving the behavioral health crisis, new legislation and enhancing quality of life. Many of the tactics involve strengthening laws which would ban homeless encampments and loitering, as well as increasing police presence. However, much of the plan requires funding, which has yet to be solidified

The Downtown San Diego Partnership proposed another coalition project in 2022, and although the organization stated that some progress was made, major issues such as safety were not resolved and the region remains one of the most dangerous in the city.

USD first-year Gabby Pine shared her opinion of the plan.

“If you want to combat homelessness, you have to go to the root of the problem–  which is the cost of living, groceries,  all that kind of stuff,” Pine explained. “Saying, ‘you can’t live here,’ like, they’re just gonna relocate, right? They’re just taken away their home for the time being.” 

Leaders in the Downtown San Diego Partnership hope that this plan will take effect immediately to best serve the downtown area. President and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Betsy Brennan, explained the importance of revitalizing the district at the press conference on Sept. 23.

“Our downtown is just that, our downtown,” Brennan stated. “It is the heart of our city and it is our downtown. It is the heartbeat of our region. It is the front door to our wonderful city where cruise ships come and host 130,000 guests for Comic-Con and is a recognized foodie scene.”

As of now, downtown continues to suffer from crime, homelessness and struggles with cleanliness as drug paraphernalia litters the streets. However, residents remain hopeful that the new plan from the Partnership  will alleviate their concerns and bring pride back to downtown.

Downtown San Diego struggles with homelessness and crime. Photo courtesy of @anamariarphoto/Instagram