🌱 Sextortion Crimes Up 200% In SD + Tossing Trash Will Cost You More

Hello again, friends! It's Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Relax a moment, sip that coffee/tea, dip that biscotti into your morning drink, and read on to find out what's happening around town today:

• It's a shocking statistic: sextortion crimes are up 200% in SD.
• Tossing that trash will cost us more in the coming years.
• A new dangerous drug, "Tranq," is now in San Diego.

But first, today's weather:

Rain, sometimes heavy.🌧️ High: 53, Low: 45.

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

1. The San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) held a screening of "Sextortion: The Hidden Pandemic" to highlight how children are groomed for sextortion. It may begin with innocent conversation, but the goal is to get victims to send explicit pictures so the predator can blackmail the child/young adult for money. Victims, embarrassed and ashamed, typically do not seek help. Teenage boys in particular have fallen victim to the crime, which was linked to dozen of suicides last year. SDPD reports that sextortion crimes are up 200% since the pandemic. (CBS News 8)
2. The price of tossing trash is going up. The San Diego City Council’s Environment Committee approved a proposal to increase "tipping fees" by 71 percent over the next two years. Waste reduction advocates believe that the fee is a step in the right direction but still not sufficient to cover the true cost of tossing trash into a landfill. Tossing trash creates emissions detrimental to people and the environment. (Voice of San Diego)
   
3. Called "Tranq" — it's a Narcan-resistant drug being used in San Diego. It's an animal tranquilizer, Xylazine, mixed with fentanyl. Overdose reversal drugs like Narcan don't work against Tranq because it’s a sedative. It is often referred to as a zombie-drug, causing damage to human tissue, infections, and can end up requiring amputations. Prevention specialists express concern that the drugs may become more common in our area. (CBS News 8)
4. Flocks of robins are mesmerizing visitors and residents of San Diego for the first time in almost 30 years. The robins arrived here to feed on berries from our native plants, fig and camphor trees. When they have their fill, they'll fly off to explore new areas. For now, San Diegans can still enjoy having them around. (FOX 5 San Diego)

Today in San Diego:

• TomatoMania — Water Conservation Garden. (9 a.m.)
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK @ THE LIBRARY — San Ysidro Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Dance Pants Bash! — Mission Hills Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Signing Storytime! — North Park Branch Library. (11 a.m.)
• 2023 Winter/Spring Concert Series: Tarka Quartet — San Diego Public Library/Central Library. (Noon)
• Natural Wonders of San Diego — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• See a San Diego beach: "When was the first time you saw a San Diego beach? 😍 📷 IG:jgc.photos" (Visit San Diego via Facebook)
• Looking for work? "Make your mark with the City of San Diego! We are hiring for a variety of positions, including Recreation Leaders, Lake Aides, Analysts, Assistant Engineers and much more. We offer ✅competitive benefits ✅generous savings plans ✅opportunities." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Walk for Animals CANCELED: "Due to the rain expected in Escondido through Sunday, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Walk for Animals – North County on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Walk is one of our most critical fundraising events of the year, but the safety of our participants, volunteers, staff and pets is our top priority." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Take a look: "Zola nose she's photogenic 📷#Aardvark #Foodie #Boop #SanDiegoZoo" (San Diego Zoo via Instagram)
• Dogs of Downtown RESCHEDULED: "We know it’s been raining cats and dogs lately (mainly dogs 🐕‍🦺), so due to the weather, we’ve decided to reschedule Dogs of Downtown for March 11. The free event will still take place at Fault Line Park and feature a paw-tastic lineup." (Downtown San Diego Partnership via Facebook)
• Extension of civil rights: "Did you know that until the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black communities were banned from most public outdoor spaces and national parks? In 1952, out of nine southern states, there were 180 state parks available to the White population." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Shrek the musical JR First Rehearsal. (Feb. 25)
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• One Night on The Town - The Marcus Syndicate Dance Band Live. (Mar. 4)
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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Bettyann Pernice

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