🌱Mayor Pushes Homeless Camp Crackdown + Gaslamp Promenade Downtown SD

Hello, everyone! I'm back in your inbox this morning with a fresh copy of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Sip that coffee/tea, enjoy that plate of bacon, eggs, hash browns, and read on to learn what's happening in our town today:

• Many are opposed, but Mayor Todd Gloria pushes homeless camp crackdown.
• Gaslamp Promenade is being created in downtown SD.
• City sues Hyundai, Kia for failure to install anti-theft technology.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. ⛅ High: 66, Low: 55.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in San Diego? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are four of the top stories in San Diego today:

1. Last week, Mayor Todd Gloria and City Council member Stephen Whitburn unveiled plans to attack homelessness. Those plans will be introduced to the City Council next month. If approved, camping on public property, when shelter options are available, will be banned. Opponents say criminalizing already-traumatized people who cannot pay rent is not the way to go. However, Mayor Todd Gloria believes that encampments are bad for those living, working, and attending schools in the area, as well as for the those living on the streets. (Voice of San Diego)
2. Talked about for more than a decade, the Gaslamp Promenade project is proceeding ahead of schedule. According to the Gaslamp Quarter Association, the promenade, mad up of eight distinctive plazas, will increase walkability, create a destination for tourists and local families in the area, and provide more revenue for the city. With bollard installation expected to be completed in May, the city will start using them to block traffic in the area in June. (NBC San Diego)
3. From 2011 — 2021, most auto manufacturers adopted safety anti-theft features; however, two automakers put cost savings and profits over public safety by failing to equip their vehicles with the technology. Now, the San Diego City Attorney’s Office is suing automakers Hyundai and Kia for failure to add technology to their cars, which the City says resulted in an uptick in car thefts throughout San Diego. In 2022, a total of 515 Hyundai and Kia autos were stolen here. (KUSI)
4. Looking for a new experience for the family on Easter Sunday? Look no further! Plan your Easter cruise on Mission Bay and enjoy your time aboard the Bahia Belle, a turn-of-the-century, Mississippi-style vessel. Meet the Easter bunny, join in an egg hunt, and enjoy live entertainment. If you like, you can enjoy mimosas or bloody mary specials onboard. A relaxing cruise on the Bahia Belle is a great way to view the beautiful sites of the Mission Bay 4,200-acre aquatic park with friends and family. Get Tickets Online.

Today in San Diego:

• Sound Healing — Kona Kai Resort & Spa. (2:00 PM)
• How I Became A Pirate — San Diego Junior Theatre. (2:00 PM)
• Spring Showcase Concert — California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (3:00 PM)
• Love and Loss Story Night — The Elizabeth Hospice. (4:30 PM)
• Globe for All: Under a Baseball Sky — Logan Heights Branch Library. (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Adoption fees waived: "Our friend Lauren from Coles Fine Flooring and her handsome pal Hercules are here to remind you that adoption fees are WAIVED for adult dogs (7 months and up) through the end of March!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Mission Bay bridge: "As part of the Mission Bay Bridge Project, these recently added posts complete this separated bike lane on West Mission Bay Drive and connect to the newly built bridge. Buffered, separated bike lanes make cycling more accessible and provide safer travel for all users of this busy bridge and roadway." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Find a full list of food distributions sites: "Here is a list of some of the no-cost food distributions happening this Saturday throughout San Diego County. For a full list of sites, visit https://bit.ly/3RsyaLQ." (Feeding San Diego via Facebook)
• Donate your vehicle to the Garden: "Give a little luck and donate your vehicle to the Garden! Click the link to learn the quick and easy way to donate. https://careasy.org/nonprofit/san-diego-botanic-garden" (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Work at the library: "Interested in working for the City of San Diego? See yourself working at San Diego Public Library? We're hiring! Earlier this week, #OdiTheCoyote and Deputy Director Jennifer Jenkins went on the air with Lauren Phinney KUSI to talk about the upcoming City Career Fair." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Warm Embrace (Gift Boxes, Shipping Nationwide!) — (Visit website)
• Cable Pipe & Leak Detection — (Visit Website)
• The Au Pair Expert — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Hop to It! Pet Photos with Bunny Returns to Fashion Valley for Easter (March 19)
• A Pop-Up Fundraising Experience (March 25)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Patch newsletter? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com