Volume 2, Issue 1 — January 2026

Our Work in Action: Updates from the City Attorney’s Office

Legal Actions and Protecting Our City

Protecting City Property and Environmental Commitments

My office filed a lawsuit against federal agencies for the unauthorized construction of razor wire fencing on City-owned land in Marron Valley near the US - Mexico border.

These actions were taken without legal authority or City consent and have caused harm to protected habitats subject to environmental conservation agreements. No agency is exempt from the law or permitted to occupy City property without authorization.

I am committed to protecting City resources, enforcing the law, and upholding our environmental commitments.

Read the Full Press Release

Expanding Crisis Intervention and Gun Violence Prevention

My Office has been awarded a $1 million state grant to expand our existing gun violence prevention and crisis intervention work. These funds will enhance crisis intervention services, support Behavioral Threat Assessment training for our team and law enforcement partners, expand safe-storage efforts, and provide more public education on Gun Violence Restraining Orders.

Our Gun Violence Reduction Unit has become a model statewide for using GVROs to prevent harm, interrupt cycles of violence, and support individuals in crisis. This new funding will allow us to build on that work and continue keeping our communities safe.

Read the Full Press Release

Taking Action to Protect Public Health and the Legal Cannabis Market

My office filed a civil enforcement action against multiple businesses and individuals for the unlawful sale of unlicensed cannabis products in San Diego.

Undercover investigations revealed the sale of THC-containing products from concealed back rooms, without the required state licenses or City permits. These operations violate California law and the San Diego Municipal Code, constituting the unlawful sale of controlled substances and a public nuisance.

When businesses operate outside the regulated framework, they undermine public health protections, product safety standards, and the integrity of our legal cannabis marketplace.

Read the Full Press Release

Building Connections and Sharing Impact

Working Together to Remove Barriers to Stability

My team and I attended a Homeless Court graduation hosted at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) to see firsthand how collaboration and problem-solving can help remove barriers to stability.

Through our partnership with the San Diego Superior Court, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and local service providers like CEO, my office gives justice-impacted San Diegans experiencing or at risk of homelessness an opportunity to resolve legal and financial issues by engaging with supportive services, participating in treatment, and seeking housing and employment assistance.

GVRU Hosts Johns Hopkins Researchers to Share Best Practices

My Office’s Gun Violence Response Unit (GVRU) hosted researchers from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

Our GVRU is recognized as a national model, and the visit was a great chance to share our work, exchange ideas, and learn from leaders in gun violence prevention. We talked about what’s working locally and how those efforts can support work happening across the country.

We’re grateful for the visit and for the continued collaboration as we work to keep our communities safe!

Team Spotlight!

Congratulations to Our Program Manager, Ashley Stevens!

My Office is proud to celebrate Ashley Stevens, Program Manager in the Administration Division of the City Attorney’s Office at the City Management Fellowship Graduation.

Ashley completed this program alongside a talented group of fellows, sharing work that began as an idea and grew into real research, recommendations, and results. It was great to see her hard work and leadership recognized.

Congratulations, Ashley. We’re grateful for everything you bring to the City Attorney’s Office!

Resources

Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit (HPU)

HPU works to protect San Diegans by ensuring housing is safe, fair, and livable. The unit tackles chronic problem properties, repeated code violations, substandard housing, and unfair rental practices. Through enforcement and partnerships, HPU holds violators accountable and safeguards the rights of residents across the city.

Report a Violation Here

Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE)

Our ACE Unit protects consumers and workers by holding businesses accountable for unlawful practices like false advertising, unsafe products, wage theft, and worker misclassification. We use litigation and partnerships to promote fair business practices, public safety, and economic justice.

Report a Violation Here

Gun Violence Response Unit GVRO's

Our Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) program uses California’s red flag law to remove guns from people who pose a threat to themselves or others. The unit has removed firearms from over 1,500 dangerous individuals and helped prevent potential mass shootings.

Learn More

Your Safe Place, The Family Justice Center

Your Safe Place provides free services to adults, seniors, children, and teens who have or are experiencing domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, or sex trafficking regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, income, zip code, and immigration status.

Visit YSP Website

Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit

The Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit handles misdemeanor cases of domestic violence, elder abuse, animal abuse, sexual battery, stalking, and child abuse, including neglect, molestation, and statutory rape.

Call (619) 533-5544 or email CityAttyCrimInfo@sandiego.gov

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