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Welcome, Captain LaDieu!
San Diego County Sheriff’s Capt. David LaDieu has been appointed to lead the Vista Sheriff’s Station, effective Fri., Aug. 21. LaDieu succeeds Capt. John Malan, who is being promoted to commander with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
LaDieu brings two decades of law enforcement experience to the position, including a previous assignment at the Vista Sheriff’s Station. From November 2018 to January 2020, he served as a sergeant at the station, giving him firsthand knowledge of the community and its public safety needs.
“Captain LaDieu’s familiarity with Vista and his broad leadership experience make him an excellent choice to lead the Vista Sheriff’s Station,” City Manager John Conley said. “His previous service at the station gives him an established understanding of our community, while his experience as the Sheriff’s Office media relations director reflects his ability to communicate openly and build public trust. We look forward to welcoming him back to Vista and working with him to keep our community safe.”
LaDieu began his career with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office as a detention deputy sheriff in 2005. During his career, he has served in patrol, gang and border crime suppression, the Special Enforcement Detail, the Sheriff’s Communications Center and the Narcotics Task Force. He also served as the Sheriff’s Office media relations director from March 2023 to April 2024. Most recently, he has led the department’s Major Crimes Division as a captain since January 2025.
“Stepping into this position is an incredible honor,” LaDieu said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with our residents, community organizations and the dedicated deputies who serve this community each day. I am committed to fostering meaningful engagement, strengthening public trust and improving quality-of-life issues for our residents. I am optimistic about the opportunities ahead and remain dedicated to ensuring our continued partnership with the community.”
LaDieu has received multiple departmental honors, including meritorious and sheriff’s unit citations and recognition for exemplary performance.
Malan has led the Vista Sheriff’s Station since December 2024. As captain, he has overseen law enforcement services provided to the City of Vista.
“The City congratulates Captain Malan on his well-earned promotion and thanks him for his leadership and service to Vista,” Conley said. “We wish him continued success in his new role as commander.”
The Vista Sheriff’s Station provides law enforcement services under contract with the City of Vista through the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
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Vista City Council Declares Former Burlington Coat Factory Property a
Public Nuisance
The Vista City Council unanimously declared the former Burlington Coat Factory property at 650 Sycamore Drive a public nuisance during its Aug. 11 meeting.
The privately owned property, located between Thibodo Road and Shadowridge Drive, has experienced ongoing maintenance and safety concerns, including a partially collapsed roof, unauthorized encampments, and accumulated debris.
The council gave the property owner 45 days to address the violations. Required work includes securing the building, repairing or demolishing the damaged structure, and removing debris from the site. The 45-day period will allow the owner time to obtain the necessary permits and coordinate utility work with San Diego Gas & Electric.
If the violations are not corrected within the required timeframe, the City is authorized to abate the nuisance and recover the costs of abatement from the property owner.
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Senior Center Communications Survey Presentation August 18
We want to hear from you! Join Councilmember Corinna Contreras on Tuesday, August 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the Park Terrace Café at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center (1400 Vale Terrace Dr.) for a quick survey on how Vista seniors receive news about programs, events, and services. The input you share in the Senior Center Communications Survey will help the City develop a communications plan designed to better inform and connect our senior community. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a Walmart gift card drawing.
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Help Us Plan Bobier Neighborhood Park
You're invited to join us on Thursday, August 20, at the Faith Lutheran Church Patio & Gym (700 E. Bobier Dr.), to provide input on the future Bobier Park!
The community meeting begins at 6 p.m., but please RSVP here and stop by at 5:30 p.m. if you'd like to partake in Chick-fil-A on the patio. Parking is available in the parking lot off San Luis Rey Ave. Please click here to get more info and view the flyer in both English and Spanish.
Save the Date: Park plan review on Thursday, September 24, 6 p.m., at the Civic Center Morris B. Vance Community Room (200 Civic Center Dr.).
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Test Your Knowledge:
Impaired Driving
Do your part to get yourself and others home safely by driving sober or designating a driver after a night out. Even if you are not the one driving, getting into a car with an impaired driver poses a risk to your safety.
➡️ Test your knowledge on impaired driving with these three commonly believed myths!
Impaired driving myth #1:
"You can only get arrested for impaired driving if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level is at or above 0.08%."
This is a myth, as you can be arrested and convicted for impaired driving (depending on your level of impairment) even if your BAC is under 0.08%.
Impaired driving myth #2:
"Consuming alcohol doesn't actually impair your driving abilities."
This is a myth, as even small amounts of alcohol can reduce reasoning, judgment, reaction times, and muscle coordination.
Impaired driving myth #3:
"It's not a big deal, everyone does it."
This is definitely a myth. According to the California Department of Public Health, an estimated 43 people die from alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes every day. Every life matters, and impaired driving is preventable.
"Making the decision to drive under the influence is not the right decision to make,"shares the San Diego County Sheriff's Office in a resource video. "With all the options out there now, from taxis to calling a friend to calling a rideshare, there's so many other ways for you to do what you need to do. To take the chances to hurt yourself, hurt a loved one, is not worth it."
Vista, do your part in keeping our community safe by designating a driver or driving sober!
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Help Reduce Roadside Litter
While you're out and about on Vista roads, trash and litter can easily fly out of your truck bed or trailer. When hauling materials, you can do your part to help reduce roadside litter and increase safety when you:
- Cover the load with tarps or cargo nets
- Don’t overload your truck
- Place lighter items lower
- Remove any loose material or trash that may remain in the trailer or truck bed
- When transporting large items, use rope, netting, or straps to make sure they are tied down
- Always double check the load is properly secured!
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Safely Dispose of Household
Hazardous Waste
Vista residents have a free and convenient way to safely dispose of household items that should not go in regular residential trash. The Vista Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, located at 1145 E. Taylor St. (across from the City Public Works Yard) accepts a wide range of household hazardous waste every Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
Residents of Vista, Encinitas, Escondido, Solana Beach, San Marcos, and Carlsbad may use the facility at no cost with proof of residency. Accepted items include old or broken electronics, paint, motor oil, used batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, home-generated sharps, old and unused medications, household cleaners, automotive fluids, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, fire extinguishers, and other materials that require safe handling.
The facility is closed on holiday weekends. Upcoming closures of note include September 5 for Labor Day weekend, November 28 for Thanksgiving weekend, and January 2 for New Year's weekend.
Free door-to-door collection service is also available for residents age 65+, or for households with a registered handicap placard. To schedule a collection, please call (800) 714-1195.
Properly disposing of hazardous waste helps protect public health, workers, local waterways, and the environment. Thank you for doing your part to help our community!
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Input Requested: Heat Wave Experience
The San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative wants to hear from you! You're invited to share your personal experience with heat waves in Vista and the San Diego region through a brief survey. The info provided will contribute to a regional multi-year project developing plans, tools, and resources for the San Diego region.
Sharing your personal experience with heat waves will aid in identifying gaps and improve community cooling resources available to local communities during extreme heat events! Your input and responses will be used to guide/inform the regional heat project with the goal of advancing more accessible cooling resources in your community.
The survey takes 3-5 mins and is open to anyone who lives, works, or visits Vista. Thank you for helping us keep our region cool!
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City of Vista Events
EXTENDED: Skate Vista Exhibition
🗓️ Dates: July 10-August 27
⌚ Time: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.-Thur., alternating Fri. closes at 4:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Public Art Gallery, Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Dr. (2nd floor)
💲 Admission: FREE
Moonlight Amphitheatre: "Guys and Dolls"
🗓️ Dates: August 12-29
⌚ Time: 8 p.m.
📍 Location: Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Dr.
💲 Admission: Click here to get your tickets
Senior Center Communications Survey Presentation
🗓️ Date: August 18
⌚ Time: 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Gloria McClellan Senior Center, Park Terrace Cafe, 1400 Vale Terrace Dr.
💲 Admission: FREE
Scraps to Soil Workshop
🗓️ Date: August 22
⌚ Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
📍 Location: Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Dr.
💲 Admission: FREE
For Vista Youth: Junior Deputy Program
🗓️ Dates: September 2-October 28 (on Wednesdays only)
⌚ Time: 6:15-8:15 p.m.
📍 Location: Linda Rhoades Community Center, 600 N. Santa Fe Ave.
💲 Admission: FREE (Pre-registration required; apply here)
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
🗓️ Date: September 11
⌚ Time: 9 a.m.
📍 Location: Civic Center parking lot, 200 Civic Center Dr.
💲 Admission: FREE
E-Bike Training Class
🗓️ Date: September 12
⌚ Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
📍 Location: Civic Center, Morris B. Vance Community Room, 200 Civic Center Dr.
💲 Admission: FREE
Movie in the Park: Disney's "Zootopia 2"
🗓️ Date: September 12
⌚ Time: Starts at dusk
📍 Location: Brengle Terrace Park Softball Fields, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr.
💲 Admission: FREE
Coastal Cleanup Day
🗓️ Date: September 19
⌚ Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
📍 Location: Buena Vista Creek Trail, 1280 Hacienda Dr.
💲 Admission: FREE
Cyclovia
🗓️ Date: September 26
⌚ Time: 9 a.m.
📍 Location: Downtown Vista Village
💲 Admission: FREE
Free Mulch & Compost
Self-serve event (bring your own containers, gloves, shovels)
No commercial vehicles allowed
Open-bed trucks must be covered with a tarp
🗓️ 1st and 3rd weekends every month
⌚ Time: Dawn to dusk
📍 Location: Vacant lot at Vale Terrace Dr. & Williamston St.
💲 Admission: FREE
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