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With Thanksgiving tomorrow, many of us are looking forward to quality time with friends and family. To help make your holiday even safer and memorable, I’m sharing a few tips this week, including ways you can get outside or support small businesses.
- Getting around safely
- Safer Streets Together strategies
- Election update
- Digital Cities award
- 3 ways to prevent crime this holiday season
- Small Business Saturday
- 5 great holiday hikes
- Thanksgiving hours
- Upcoming meetings
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Travel safely this Thanksgiving
You may already be noticing that a lot more people are on the road this week. People are taking advantage of breaks from work or school to enjoy all Carlsbad has to offer, whether that’s holiday shopping or going on bike rides or walks to get some fresh air.
No matter how you choose to get around this week, remember to take extra care and share the road.
- Slow down and allow extra time to get where you need to go.
- Eliminate distractions. Phones, music, kids, pets – there are so many things that vie for our attention every day.
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It’s getting dark out earlier. Wear bright clothing and reflective gear when you’re walking or biking at night, and make sure your family’s bikes have working front and rear lights. Here’s a video highlighting how to prepare for a night bike ride.
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Talk to your family about the rules of the road, including rules for pedestrians and bicyclists and Carlsbad-specific e-bike rules.
- Stay alert for people backing out of driveways, pulling out of parking spots and people walking and biking.
- If you’re planning a road trip, make sure your vehicle is ready to go. Check your tire pressure and swap out wiper blades if they are brittle.
In this season of giving thanks, please be kind and patient. We are all part of the Carlsbad community, and working together, we can make sure our streets are safe for everyone.
Learn more.
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Advancing Safer Streets strategies
We’re continuing to make progress on the Safer Streets Together plan, the city’s three-prong approach to traffic safety through education, engineering and enforcement.
At the next Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting on Dec. 5, staff will discuss plans to repave and restripe roads, including some main east/west streets, to create more space for walkers and bicyclists while maintaining traffic flow.
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Latest election results
While we will wait for the final word from the Registrar of Voters before making things official, the results of our recent election are coming into focus. Here is what the latest update shows, with all but 11,000 ballots countywide counted. Based on the numbers, we anticipate the results will remain the same and would like to congratulate our newly elected officials:
Mayor
Keith Blackburn
Council Member, District 1
Melanie Burkholder
Council Member, District 3
Priya Bhat-Patel
City Clerk
Sherry Freisinger
City Treasurer
Craig J. Lindholm
Measure J (Monroe Street Pool renovation)
Passed
The Register of Voters has until Dec. 8 to certify the results. We have planned an oath of office ceremony for all our newly elected officials at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting, starting at 5 p.m.
Visit sdvote.com for detailed results.
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City of Carlsbad wins top 10 Digital Cities Award
The city recently earned top-tier recognition in the Center for Digital Government’s 2022 Digital Cities Survey. It’s the second year in a row we’ve earned that distinction.
- The awards recognize cities that use technology in innovative ways to better serve their community.
- Carlsbad ranked ninth in the nation among cities with a population of 75,000 - 124,999.
- Carlsbad has been working for several years on new ways to use technology to improve efficiency, customer service and public engagement.
Our Chief Innovation Officer David Graham really said it best: “We’re proud to be recognized as one of the most innovative digital cities in the country.”
Thanks to everyone on Team Carlsbad who has worked so hard to achieve this national recognition.
Learn more.
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3 ways to prevent crime this holiday season
As I already mentioned, the holidays can mean more traffic in some of our busiest shopping areas – and it can also create more opportunities for crime. Carlsbad is one of the safest communities in the region, but we can still do our part to prevent crime during this busy shopping season.
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If you’re shopping in-person, be aware of your surroundings. Lock your car and don’t leave personal items inside it. Shop with a friend when possible – there’s safety in numbers.
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If you’re buying gifts online, make sure the websites you’re visiting are reputable. Check to see that the URLs start with “https,” meaning your personal information will be encrypted. Use a credit card, not a debit card.
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If you’re shipping or receiving deliveries, track your packages so you know when they’ll be delivered. Try to schedule deliveries for when you’re sure you’ll be home. Sign up to receive delivery alerts when possible.
Find more shopping safety tips on our Police Department website.
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Shop small on Saturday, Nov. 26
Speaking of shopping, now is a great time to show your support for Carlsbad’s small business community on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26.
- It’s the perfect day to try the latest treats at your favorite Carlsbad restaurant or bakery, or to pop into a local store to find a great gift.
- If you’re near the Village, stop by the Carlsbad Village Association’s Small Business Saturday party. You can enjoy live music, shopping discounts, grab some Carlsbad swag and enter a drawing to win a local restaurant gift card.
Carlsbad is home to thousands of companies, and most are small businesses who are continuing to navigate, retool and pivot from the uncertainty of the past few years. I’ve heard from several small businesses just how much they appreciate all the support our community has to offer.
Learn more about Small Business Saturday.
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5 great trails for a holiday hike
Carlsbad has 67 miles of trails to explore, and we’ve picked five that are perfect for a holiday hike. (We’re also sharing videos of each trail so you can get a sneak peek.)
Before you head out, visit our GoHike Carlsbad portal and download the app to find in-depth information about each trail.
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City offices and services schedule over Thanksgiving
City offices will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed all day Thursday and Friday, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Here’s a full holiday schedule for city services:
- City offices: Closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday, all day Thursday and Friday
- Emergency services: Regular service
- Trash pickup: Delayed one day, if your normal trash day is Thursday or Friday
- City pools: Closed Thursday; open Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Libraries and Cultural Arts facilities: Closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday, all day on Thursday and Friday
- Community centers: Closed Thursday; open Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Senior Center: Closed Thursday; open Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Leo Carrillo Ranch: Closed Thursday; open Friday regular hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Get involved: Upcoming meetings
The next City Council meeting will be held Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. in the City Council chamber. A link to the full agenda and staff reports will be available on the city’s website by the Friday before the meeting.
In addition to the City Council meeting, one other city meeting is planned next week. You can find more information and the agenda by clicking on the link below:
On behalf of our City Council and all of us at the City of Carlsbad, we want to wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
Scott Chadwick
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