A Conversation with Officer Surwilo
Public Safety in Linda Vista
In keeping with our desire to keep readers informed of what goes on in Linda Vista and surrounding areas, we will from time to time interview people who have made and/or are making Linda Vista a better place. One such person is Officer David Surwilo, Community Relations Officer for the Western Division of the San Diego Police Department. He works with his partner Officer Michael Hayes. Many of you know Officer Surwilo from his reporting at various community meetings. Recently, he was kind enough to sit down with The Linda Vista Update and answer some questions regarding Linda Vista and related public safety matters.
1. Tell us a little about community policing and how it relates to regular policing.
Community Relations officers have the same responsibility as patrol officers, but they have a job priority of attending community meetings to share information and answer questions, and responding to emails and phone calls which come into the division from citizens regarding a very wide range of subjects. They also help work longer term projects with other city departments, such as Code to address a nuisance property. With these added responsibilities of working closely with community members and groups, these officers build strong long-term relationships with the community; it’s almost a partnership to come together and work towards solving problems, improving the quality of life in the community, and making the community safer.
2. Can you describe the major areas of concern as they relate to crime in the Linda Vista area? Has this changed (for better or worse) during the time of this pandemic? Are the types of crimes different or more opportunistic?
In the past, gang activity was a major issue within Linda Vista. This included altercations, graffiti and petty theft, but over the last few years it has decreased and is not a major issue facing Linda Vista on a daily level. In no way am I ignoring the gang related deaths which have occurred; I am referring to the daily impact gangs once had on Linda Vista. In all of the gang deaths, all of the suspects have been identified and arrested. I feel Linda Vista has moved primarily towards more of the quality-of-life types of crimes. Things like petty theft and other minor crimes. The community has worked very hard to shed its past issues with help from community groups like the Bayside Community Center, the Park & Recreational staff, the churches, and the different civic groups like the Town Council, the VFW and the Linda Vista Planning Board, to name a few. This is why I am optimistic for the residents of Linda Vista.
3. What advice would you give homeowners and residents to help them protect themselves more from crimes against their homes or vehicles? Do you think the high rate of unemployment has contributed to more types of these crimes?
The biggest crimes residential communities faces are crimes of opportunity. Leaving property in plain sight whether or not you value the items is what creates crimes of opportunity. People leave items in plain sight all the time in their yards and in their vehicles, which tempt criminals. The most valuable advice I have is for people to secure property out of sight. Place items in your trunk if you need them the next day, instead of leaving them inside your car where a criminal might smash a window to grab them. Lock bikes, ladders and other property inside storage sheds or garages so criminals are not creeping around your house and in your yard. Unemployment has been lower over the last 3 years, and until Covid-19 it looked like it was going to continue to decrease. Since Covid-19, although the unemployment rate has risen, I have not seen strong indications crime has been rampant in the community.
4. Do you think Ring and other types of doorbell cameras are beneficial in helping to deter crime?
Yes, security cameras do help prevent crime and also identify suspect(s). We have had numerous cases solved with the use of doorbell cameras ranging from package theft to street vandalism. We have seen clearly either the suspect or perhaps the vehicle the suspect(s) used and have been able to locate and identify them based upon the video footage.
5. Has the skate park in Linda Vista had a positive impact on young people in the community? If so, in what way? If not, in what way?
The Linda Vista Skate Park has definitely been a huge asset for Linda Vista. It has provided the residents of Linda Vista with a location to learn to skateboard, be active outside, make new friendships and occupy their time. It has also brought other citizens into the community from all walks of life to skate and helps build bridges of understanding with people of different communities, races, demographics and cultures. It has also been said that when you occupy a space with positive events such as a skate park, you drive away the negative element that want to hide in the shadows.
6. Tell us about the homeless problem in Linda Vista? What steps are being taken to help with this problem? Are services available that are communicated to these people?
There is a homeless problem all over Southern California. The question is, how impactful is it upon a community? If you compare East Village to Linda Vista, one might say there is no problem; but there is, only to a lesser degree. The homeless, though, are not the cause of a majority of the crime in the community, but they do affect the quality of life of the residents. There is outreach done by the Police Department, Heath Services and local churches. That help is not always accepted. One does understand the inner fear or uneasiness residents feel when they see homeless ,or when the homeless are near children, even though 99% of the time the homeless do not do anything. There are parts of communities which make people feel uncomfortable, and the homeless issue is probably one of those problems.
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