
KPBS News This Week: Friday, July 5, 2024
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Learn about a major settlement for the family of a woman who died in jail.
Learn about a major settlement for the family of a woman who died in jail and why taxpayers will cover most of the nearly $15 million. Meanwhile, animal advocates issue a plea to stay away from sea lions after recent viral incidents in La Jolla. Plus, discover the exciting plans for the Belly Up's 50th anniversary celebration in Solana Beach this summer.
KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

KPBS News This Week: Friday, July 5, 2024
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
Learn about a major settlement for the family of a woman who died in jail and why taxpayers will cover most of the nearly $15 million. Meanwhile, animal advocates issue a plea to stay away from sea lions after recent viral incidents in La Jolla. Plus, discover the exciting plans for the Belly Up's 50th anniversary celebration in Solana Beach this summer.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipTHANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.
I AM JOHN CARROLL.
COMING UP, A MAJOR SETTLEMENT FOR THE FAMILY OF A WOMAN WHO DIED IN JAIL.
WHY MOST OF THE NEARLY $15 MILLION WILL BE COVERED BY TAXPAYERS.
>>> STAY AWAY FROM THE SEA LIONS.
ANIMAL ADVOCATES PUT OUT ANOTHER PLEA AFTER A RECENT INCIDENT IN LA JOLLA WENT VIRAL.
>>> IN THE BELLY UPTURNS 50.
SEE WHAT THE SOLANA BEACH VENUE HAS PLANNED FOR ITS BIG ANNIVERSARY THIS SUMMER.
>>> WE START WITH SOMETHING WE ARE ALL DEALING WITH THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FOR PARTS OF OUR COUNTY WILL STRETCH INTO NEXT WEEK.
BOTH CONDITIONS ADD TO THE RISK OF WILDFIRES.
KPBS SOUTH BAY REPORTER SUZUKI RECENTLY VISITED PARTS OF CHULA VISTA WHERE THE GROWTH OF THE CITY IS COLLIDING WITH FIRE ZONES.
>> Reporter: WINE TAKES EVERY CHANCE HE CAN GET TO TALK UP CHULA VISTA.
>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES WHERE YOU PARK AND STAY AND GROW A FAMILY.
IT IS YOUR FOREVER HAPPY.
>> Reporter: THAT IS PART OF THE DEAL.
HE WORKS AT THE REAL ESTATE AGENT IN CHULA VISTA, WORKING WITH YOUNG FAMILIES AND OTHER POTENTIAL BUYERS.
HIS WHOLE JOB IS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL AT HOME IN THE CITY.
IT IS MORE THAN JUST WORK, THOUGH.
HE AND HIS FAMILY ALSO LIVE HERE.
HE LIKES THE FEEL OF THE NEW HOMES AND PARKS AND SHOPPING CENTERS IN EAST CHULA VISTA.
HE AND HIS WIFE ARE BOTH WRITERS AND LOVE THE TRAILS AND CANYONS.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAYS THERE IS ALWAYS A LITTLE WORRIED AT THE BACK OF HIS MIND, THE QUESTION OF HOW MUCH RISK THERE IS HERE OF A WILDFIRE.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF VALLEYS AND OPEN SPACES AS WELL.
IF NOT CONTROLLED, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE A DISASTER.
>> Reporter: IT IS TRUE.
HAS CHULA VISTA GROWS EASTWARD, THE FRONT OF A MAJOR WILDFIRE IS ALSO GOOD.
LAST YEAR THE CITY RELEASED A HAZARD PLAN THAT SAYS THOUSANDS OF HOMES COULD IGNITE DURING THE NEXT WILDFIRE.
IT BLAMES THE CITY FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO MANAGE THE GROWTH OF WILD VEGETATION.
ACCORDING TO THE PLAN, THE BIGGEST DANGER COMES FROM THE DOZENS OF CANYONS THAT CARVED THROUGH THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE CITY.
>> SEVERAL AREAS OF THE CITY WE ARE NOT ABLE TO REACH ANNUALLY.
>> Reporter: MARVIN KING IS THE EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER AND HELP TO WRITE THE HAS A PLAN.
HE SAYS INSIDE THOSE AREAS GRASSES AND SHRUBS HAVE GROWN WILD.
>> OVER 30 OPEN SPACE AREAS, A LIMITED BUDGET AND A LIMITED STAFF WITHIN OUR DIVISION.
YOU CAN'T GET TO ALL OF THESE AREAS.
SOME AREAS HAVE GROWN FOR 30 PLUS YEARS.
>> Reporter: SOME CANYONS ARE ALSO NEXT TO OLDER AND MORE VULNERABLE HOMES.
THE PLANTS TO GROW MUST CLOSER TO BUILDINGS.
IF A STARTER -- FIRE STARTED IN A RAVINE, ERASABLE BALLS AND JUMP FROM CAN INDICATED.
THE FIRE CHIEF SAYS THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED BECAUSE THE CITY HAS NOT SET ASIDE ENOUGH MONEY TO PROPERLY MANAGE THE CANYONS.
>> AS MUCH AS WILDFIRE IS A DISTINCT RISK TO THE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT BECOME MORE FOR PRIORITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC.
>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS IN CHULA VISTA HAVE TAKEN SOME DECISIVE TEMPS TO GET AHEAD OF THE NEXT WILDFIRE.
ONE OF THOSE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S NEW FUEL SCREEN, A SPECIAL CRACK TEAM OF FIREFIGHTERS ARMED WITH CHAINSAWS, WEED LACQUERS AND HEAVY-DUTY TOOLS.
THE GOAL IS TO CLEAR OUT SOME OF THE MOST OVERGROWN CANYONS.
THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED JUST LAST YEAR AND HAVE MANAGED TO SIGNIFICANTLY CLEAR OUT THREE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CANYONS APPROPRIATE THEY'RE ALSO TRYING TO BRING BACK THE FIRE SAFE COUNSEL.
IT FOCUSES ON SPREADING INFORMATION ABOUT FIRE RISK AND SAFETY.
PART OF A COUNTYWIDE NETWORK.
CHULA VISTA USED TO HAVE ONE, BUT IT WENT DORMANT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HAS NOT COME BACK.
STILL, OVERALL, OFFICIALS SAY NOT MUCH IS CHANGED SINCE THE CITY UPDATED THE HAZARD PLAN LAST OCTOBER.
THIS WILDFIRE RESEARCHER SAYS CHULA VISTA IS FAR FROM ALONE.
MANY CITIES ARE ALSO DEALING WITH THESE SAME ISSUES.
>> WE ALWAYS RELY ON FIREFIGHTERS FOR EVERYTHING.
YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE THIS BELIEF THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THE FIREFIGHTERS WILL JUST BE THERE TO PROTECT ALL OF US.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE LAST FEW DECADES ESPECIALLY HAS SHOWN HOW THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR RESIDENTS TO JOIN COMMUNITY GROUPS LIKE THE CHULA VISTA SAFE COUNCIL INTO WHAT THEY CAN TO REINFORCE THEIR HOMES.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA.
WE ARE THE ONES LIVING HERE.
>> Reporter: THE REAL ESTATE AGENT HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS A LOT.
IT TALKS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY, NOT JUST WITH POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS, BUT AT THIS CHURCH AND WITH NEIGHBORS.
TO AFTER YOU COME OUT AND SHARE YOUR VOICE.
>> Reporter: IS PROUD TO LIVE IN CHULA VISTA.
HE SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT IN THE CAPABILITIES OF THE CITY AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PROTECT THE.
STILL, HE ALSO SAYS HE AND HIS FAMILY AREN'T SURE YET WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT WILL TAKE US, BUT DEFINITELY CHULA VISTA IS WHAT WE CALL HOME NOW.>>> THIS IS ONE OF THE GUESTS ON THE LATEST KPBS ROUNDTABLE.
NEW EPISODES ARE POSTED EVERY FRIDAY.
ROUNDTABLE IS WHERE WE TALK WITH LOCAL JOURNALISTS ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING AROUND SAN DIEGO.
YOU CAN STREAM IT AS A PODCAST ON KPBS.ORG AND ALL PODCAST PLATFORMS.
>>> THIS NEXT STORY INCLUDE SOME NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO THAT MAY BE TOUGH TO WATCH.
IN 2019 ELISA SERNA DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY AT THE LAS COLINAS DETENTION FACILITY IN SANTEE.
HER FAMILY SUED.
THIS WEEK NEARLY 5 YEARS LATER, THEY HAVE AGREED TO A SETTLEMENT OF NEARLY $15 MILLION.
TANIA THORNE HAS DETAILS AND REACTION FROM THE FAMILY.
>> Reporter: ELISA SERNA DIED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2019 IN THE LAS COLINAS DETENTION CENTER IN SANTEE.
FOOTAGE FROM HER ROOM SHOWED SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND MEDICAL STAFF IGNORING HER SIGNS OF MEDICAL DISTRESS.
SUFFERING FROM ALCOHOL AND DRUG WITHDRAWALS, SHE FELL AND HAD MULTIPLE SEIZURES THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO HER DEATH.
WITH THE HELP OF ADVOCATES, HER MOTHER DEMANDED ANSWERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION ALL THESE YEARS.
HELPING US TO LEARN HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR DAUGHTER.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND WHEN WE WERE IN GRIEF AND ANGER.
THANK YOU FOR BEING FAMILY.
>> Reporter: TODAY PART OF THIS MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE AND.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND THE FAMILY REACHED A $15 MILLION SETTLEMENT BEFORE THE CASE REACHED A FEDERAL COURT.
THE MEDICAL GROUP THAT TREATS PEOPLE IN COUNTY JAILS WILL PAY $1 MILLION, AND THE REMAINDER WILL BE PAID BY SAN DIEGO COUNTY TAXPAYERS.
>> IT IS NOT FAIR THAT THE COMPENSATION COMES FROM THE TAXPAYERS.
THE TAXPAYERS DID NOT NEGLECT OUR LOVED ONES.
>> Reporter: HE HAS WITH THE NORTH COUNTY EQUITY AND JUSTICE COALITION AND THE SAVING LIVES IN CUSTODY CAMPAIGN.
>> THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ELISA SERNA OR KEVIN MILLS, ET CETERA, BUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS.
THEY HAVE A $1 BILLION BUDGET.
I THINK WE NEED TO REINVESTIGATE THIS AND SHIFT THE COST AND BURDEN OVER TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
>> Reporter: THE SETTLEMENT ALSO HAS A LIST OF CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDES COMPASSION AND MEDICAL TRAINING FOR DEPUTIES AND JAIL MEDICAL STAFF.
THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF RELEASED A STATEMENT ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT, NOTING SHE WAS NOT SURE -- SHERIFF AT THE TIME OF THE DEATH.
SHE SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES IN AN INCREDIBLE SHIFT IN PRIORITIES, FOCUS AND PROCESSES IN OUR JAILS.
SHE SAYS SHE IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE JAIL SYSTEM AND ENSURING JAILS ARE SAFER ALL OF THOSE INCARCERATED AND THE EMPLOYEES.
IN A PHONE INTERVIEW, THE SHERIFF NOTED SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS CURRENTLY WORKING AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT.
>> NOT ENOUGH MEDICAL, YOU KNOW, AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, YOU KNOW, THAT WE HAVE IN OUR FACILITIES.
WE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF CARE.
THAT IS AN ONGOING, HIRING PEOPLE, GETTING ENOUGH STAFF, AND REALLY HAVING THE CAPABILITIES.
>> Reporter: PALOMA HOPES HER DAUGHTER'S DEATH IS A LESSON THAT COULD BE AVOIDED AND SAYS SHE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR SAXON RODRIGUEZ, OMAR, KILLS, MATTHEW, McCOY, RAYMOND, LONNIE RUPPERT, PEDRO, AND MANY, MANY MORE.
>> Reporter: TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> MIGRANTS DESPERATE TO SEEK ASYLUM IN THE U.S. ARE INCREASINGLY SCALY THE BORDER WALL DUE TO LIMITED ACCESS TO PORTS OF ENTRY.
HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DiMARCO SAYS THE LIFE-THREATENING INJURY SUSTAINED BY SOME MIGRANTS ARE PROMPTING ADVOCATES TO DECLARE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
>> Reporter: PEDRO, DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE, SPENDS MOST MORNINGS PROVIDING AID TO MIGRANTS AWAITING IMMIGRATION PROCESSING BETWEEN THE TWO FENCES THAT MAKE UP THE U.S.
HOT MEXICO BORDER WALL NEAR SAN YSIDRO, KNOWN AS WHISKEY 8.
HE HAS SEEN COUNTLESS INJURIES AS THE BARRIER WALL BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO WAS RAISED FROM 18 FEET TO 30 FEET IN 2019.
HE SAYS MIGRANTS ALSO ATTEMPT TO USE MAKESHIFT LADDERS TO CLIMB OVER.
>> DANGEROUS MIGHT BE CATS -- CUTS OR LACERATIONS.
BECAUSE OF THE WIRE, THEIR INJURIES ARE BRUISES BECAUSE THEY HAVE HIT THAT PART OF THE BODY AGAINST THE WALL, OR BROKEN LIMBS BECAUSE THEY HAVE FALLEN FROM THE WALL.
>> Reporter: LOCAL TRAUMA CENTERS HAVE LINKED TO THE WALL SCALING TO AN INCREASE IN MIGRANT RELATED INJURIES.
IN 2022 UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH PUBLISHED RESEARCH ON SEVERE INJURIES AT THE US-MEXICO BORDER WALL IN SOUTHERN SAN DIEGO.
THEY SHOWED A FIVE TIME INCREASE FROM 42 CASES IN 2019 TO 440 CASES IN 2022.
JOSEPH CHARGE HE IS A NEUROSURGEON AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH.
>> IS CONTINUING TO TREND UPWARD.
YOU KNOW, STILL QUITE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT HAS DEFINITELY PUT A STRAIN ON THE CAPACITY OF THE TRAUMA CENTER.
>> IT DOES HAVE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS ON THE CARE OF ALL PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY AND BEYOND.
THERE ARE LIMITED RESOURCES AND LITTLE HOSPITAL BEDS AND PROVIDERS.
THERE ARE LIMITED FUNDS EVEN.
>> Reporter: MERCY HOSPITAL HAS TREATED OVER 251 CASES THIS YEAR.
THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN SLOWLY DECREASING SINCE FEBRUARY.
>> TYPICALLY, WE SEE A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS BECAUSE IT IS SO HOT.
>> Reporter: FROM JANUARY THROUGH MAY 2024, BORDER PATROL AGENTS ENCOUNTERED NEARLY 384,000 PEOPLE.
>> LAST WEEK A 46-YEAR-OLD FEMALE FELL FROM THE BORDER WALL TRIED TO CROSS THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.
SHE SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES DURING THE FALL AND WAS UNABLE TO MOVE.
LUCKILY, OUR AGENTS WERE ABLE TO RESPOND TO HER LOCATION AND GET HER THE HELP SHE NEEDED.
>> Reporter: BETWEEN MAY AND DECEMBER 2023, SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 3500 MEDICAL CALLS FROM THE BORDER AREA NEAR THE SAN YSIDRO PORT OF ENTRY.
DESPITE THE EXPECTATION, THAT INCREASING THE WALL HEIGHT WOULD DETER PEOPLE FROM CROSSING THE BORDER, IT HAS ONLY CREATED A NEW HEALTH ISSUE.
>> LOCAL HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS REPORTING GREATER NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRIVING WITH LIFE ALTERING INJURIES.
WE SHOULD CONSIDER THE CONSTRUCTION OF BORDER WALLS AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.>>> WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP TO A STORY WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON IN NORTH COUNTY.
THERE IS SOME PUSHBACK IN VISTA TO THE POTENTIAL PLAN FOR GREEN OAK PARK.
THE COUNTY MIGHT BUY THE PROPERTY AND TURN IT INTO A DRUG TREATMENT CAMPUS.
TANIA THORNE WAS THERE AS THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR HEARD FROM THOSE WHO ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THAT IDEA.
>> Reporter: NEWS OF THE COUNTY'S INTENT TO PURCHASE GREEN OAK RANCH HAS NOT SAT WELL WITH MANY RESIDENTS.
IN LATE APRIL, THE SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND INTRODUCED THE IDEA OF A CAMPUS FOR HEALING, A 200 BED TREATMENT CENTER FOR ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.
ON SUNDAY THE SUPERVISOR FACE TO THE CROWDS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.
MANY OF THE RESIDENTS QUESTIONS WERE ABOUT THE IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY AND SECURITY.
>> I GO TO THESE FACILITIES ON A DAILY BASIS.
>> TREATMENT CENTERS?
>> YES.
WE GO TO THESE FACILITIES OFTEN , TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER FACILITY.
190W1 FACILITY.
YOU CAN SIT THERE AND PROMISE THAT, BUT IT IS NOT THE REALITY.
[ APPLAUSE ] MY NEXT QUESTION IS, WILL YOU ALLOW SEX OFFENDERS IN THIS FACILITY?
>> Reporter: THE RESPONSE TO SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THE PROMISE OF ON-SITE SECURITY AND A SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ON LOCATION 24/7.
TIM LIVES NEAR THE RANCH AND STARTED A COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP TO STOP THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAMPUS FOR HEALING.
>> WHAT THE CITY TO BUY THIS LAND.
THEY WANT TO BUILD A SIMILAR FACILITY ON A LOCAL LEVEL SUPPORTING THE CITIZENS OF VISTA, I AM ALL FOR THAT.
AND WANT TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
BUT A COUNTYWIDE FACILITY TAKING PEOPLE FOR DOWNTOWN ALL THE WAY UP TO VISTA 45 MINUTES AWAY IS WRONG.
>> Reporter: THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE COUNTY WILL GET THE PROPERTY.
THE CITY IS CURRENTLY GETTING IT APPRAISED.
COUNCILMEMBER DAN O'DONNELL HOPES THE CITY WILL SUBMIT A FORMAL OFFER.
>> IT IS 120 ACRES IN OUR CITY THAT WILL LITERALLY NEVER COME UP AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIME OR THE NEXT LIFETIME.
I WANT TO SEE THAT SPACE ACTIVATED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
THAT COULD BE BALLFIELDS, MORE PARTS, TRAILS, TRAINING FACILITIES.
[ APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: THIS UNICORN IS OVERSEEN BY A LAND BOARD WHICH, SO FAR, HAS KEPT A LOW PROFILE.
THEY DO HAVE TWO OFFERS TO REVIEW ALREADY.
NO TIMELINES ARE KNOWN FOR THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY.>>> AS WE MENTIONED, TANIA THORNE HAS COVERED THE STORY EXTENSIVELY IN RECENT WEEKS.
THAT INCLUDES A TWO-PART FEATURE ON GREEN OAK RANCH.
THOSE WHO CURRENTLY CALL THE PROPERTY HOME AND MORE ON ITS POTENTIAL FUTURE .
YOU CAN WATCH THOSE STORIES AND ALL OF THE CONTENT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.
>>> SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF HER MOST POPULAR STORIES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.
HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.
NEWLY REPAIRED, THE USS BOXER BASED HERE IN SAN DIEGO MAKES ANOTHER GO AT SEA.
THE SUPREME COURT SAYS DONALD TRUMP HAS ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY FOR CORE ACTS ONLY WHEN IT COMES TO ALLEGED CRIMES DURING HIS PRESIDENCY.
AND THE UC SAN DIEGO STUDY REVEALS FIVE TYPES OF SLEEP AND THEIR POSSIBLE HEALTH OUTCOMES.>>> THIS NEXT-DOOR IS ALSO ON HER MOST POPULAR LIST.
BEACHES WILL BE BUSY THIS WEEKEND AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS REMINDING PEOPLE THAT WE SHARE THE OCEAN WITH MARINE WILDLIFE.
ALEXANDER SHOWS US SOME OF THE BEHAVIOR IN LA JOLLA THAT IS GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION.
>> Reporter: THEY MAY LOOK CUTE AND CUDDLY, BUT THEY ARE NOT.
>> PLEASE STAY A SAFE DISTANCE.
>> Reporter: THAT IS THE MESSAGE THE CITY IS SENDING AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO OF TWO IN WOMEN GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE SEA LIONS AT LA JOLLA COVE BEACH WENT VIRAL.
IT IS POPPING SEASON RIGHT NOW.
THE MOTHERS MAY BE MORE PROTECTIVE OF THEIR YOUNG.
THAT IS WHY EMMA AND HER HUSBAND ARE KEEPING A SAFE DISTANCE.
>> COMING DOWN HERE AND SEE HOW CLOSE PEOPLE GET, I DON'T KNOW, IT MAKES ME SAD, BUT ALSO KIND OF WARY THAT PEOPLE CAN GET HURT.
>> Reporter: SCENES LIKE THIS ARE HARD FOR THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE SIERRA CLUB.
>> HE'S AGITATED.
THE MAIL IS AGITATED BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING BY HIS FEMALES AND THE POPS.
FOR THEY TRY TO EDUCATE BEACHGOERS TO KEEP THEM FROM HARASSING THESE MARINE MAMMALS.
>> THIS IS A WEDNESDAY.
TOMORROW IS A HOLIDAY.
ON THE WEEKEND THIS WHOLE BEACH IS FULL OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT LOCALLY IS GOOD.
>> Reporter: I AM ABOUT 150 FEET OR 50 YARDS AWAY FROM THE SEA LIONS, AND THAT IS A DISTANCE THAT PEOPLE ARE RECOMMENDED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SEA MAMMALS, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, PEOPLE ARE NOT HEEDING THE ADVICE.
IN THE SHORT TIME WE WERE AT THE BEACH, WE SAW PEOPLE COMING CLOSE FOR A QUICK PHOTO.
THIS WOMAN STEPPED OVER THE SEA LION RESTING ON THE STAIRS AND ENCOURAGED HER SON TO DO THE SAME.
>> WE PREFER YOU WATCH FROM THE BOARDWALK.
>> Reporter: THE CHIEF PARK RANGER SAYS THESE ARE WILD ANIMALS AND CAN CAUSE CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.
>> A MOTHER CAN BE UP TO 200 POUNDS, AND A MALE CAN REACH 800 POUNDS.
THE REASON WHY I AM HOLDING THIS ADULT SKULL IS BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU AN IDEA THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE.
>> Reporter: HE HOPES THE PEOPLE HE'D THAT MESSAGE, ESPECIALLY OVER THE BUSY HOLIDAY THIS WEEKEND IN SAN DIEGO IS GREAT.
YOU GET TO SEE A LOT OF WILDLIFE.
>> Reporter: ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KP LBS NEWS.
LATER THIS MONTH THE WORLD'S BEST ATHLETES WILL UNITE IN PARIS FOR THE SUMMER OLYMPICS GAMES.
USA RUGBY RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ITS MEN'S TEAM AT THE CHULA VISTA ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING CENTER.
VIDEO JOURNALIST CHARLOTTE SHOWS US SOME OF THE WORK THEY ARE PUTTING IN BEFORE COMPETING ON THE GLOBAL STAGE.
>> LET'S GO BROTHERS.
LET'S GET SHARP.
COME ON.
>> ONE MISTAKE YOU CAN LOSE A GAME.
IT IS UNFORGIVING.
IT IS HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE.
HIGHLY EXCITING TO BE A PART OF AND TO PLAY.
♪♪ ♪♪ >> WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE AROUND SAN DIEGO, THEY UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER HERE.
NOW IT IS CALLED THE CHULA VISTA ELITE TRAINING CENTER.
THEY DO NOTE PEOPLE TRAINER.
THE GAME IS WORLDWIDE.
IN AMERICA IT IS STILL KIND OF NEW.
RUGBY IS STILL KIND OF NEW TO AMERICA.
WE HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF STRIDES OVER THE LAST 10 PLUS YEARS.
THIS IS THE THIRD QUALIFICATION FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
♪♪ ♪♪ >> WE TRAIN HERE FOUR TIMES A WEEK.
WERE CONTRACTED.
>> THE CHALLENGES OBVIOUSLY TO GET SOME SILVERWARE.
HOPEFULLY, WE GET THE SHINY STUFF, GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE.
WE ARE CAPABLE AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL, BUT IT WILL BE INSANELY DIFFICULT.
EVERYTHING WE DO ON THE TRAINING THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IS ABOUT GETTING READY FOR THOSE GAMES.
WE WILL FOCUS ON THOSE AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES US.
>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL BE REPRESENTED IN MANY SPORTS IN PARIS.
THIS WEEK IN VISTA TEAM USA INTRODUCED THOSE WHO MADE THE CUT FOR THE SKATEBOARDING TEAM.
FOUR OF THEM ARE FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY, OCEANSIDE, VISTA, POINT LOMA, AND ENCINITAS.
ALL HAVE EXTENSIVE RESUMES IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION LIKE THE X GAMES.
THIS IS THE SECOND OLYMPICS WERE SKATEBOARDING IS AN OFFICIAL SPORT.
THE GAMES BEGIN FRIDAY, JULY 26.
>>> JULY IS ALSO PRIDE MONTH IN SAN DIEGO.
2024 MARKS 50 YEARS SINCE THE CITY'S FIRST FRIDAY MARCH.
A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN, INCLUDING THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUPPORT FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
ANDREW BOWEN WAS THERE FOR THE PRIDE MONTH KICKOFF EVENT AT CITY HALL.
>> IT IS SO LOVELY WE GET TO CELEBRATE PRIDE TWICE WITH JUNE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD AND JULY FOR THE REST OF US.
BROKE THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PACKED WITH RAINBOW FLAGS MONDAY MORNING AT THE PRIDE KICKOFF EVENT.
AMONG THE SPEAKERS WAS CHRISTINE.
IN 1993 SHE BECAME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY OFFICIAL IN SAN DIEGO.
SHE SAID SHE IS PROUD OF HAVING HELPED MAKE SAN DIEGO AND CALIFORNIA WELCOMING PLACES FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.
>> IN OTHER STATES, THE RIGHT TO MARRY, EXPRESS AND DETERMINE GENDER ACTIVITY, TO ACCESS THE HEALTHCARE WE NEED, ALL THESE RIGHTS THAT ARE NOW IN LAW ARE BEING THREATENED STATE-BY-STATE EVERYDAY.
WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT ALWAYS.
WE CANNOT DROP OUR GUARD.
>> Reporter: A RECENT REPORT FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOUND REPORTED HATE CRIME EVENTS WERE DOWN OVERALL IN 2023, BUT HATE CRIMES AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE WERE UP.
EVEN IN SAN DIEGO, THREATS TO THE COMMUNITY'S SAFETY ARE PRESENT.
IN MAY AND UNIDENTIFIED PERSON DROVE PAST SEVERAL GAY BARS IN HILLCREST SHOOTING A PELLET GUN.
ONE PERSON WAS HIT IN THE EYE.
LAST MONTH A PROJECTILE SHATTERED THE WINDOW OF A NONPROFIT SERVING TRANSGENDER MIGRANTS.
BOTH INCIDENTS ARE BEING INVESTIGATED AS POTENTIAL HATE CRIMES.
>> OUR COMMUNITY IS SO RESILIENT.
WE HAVE DECADES AND CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE HOLDING BOTH PROTESTS AND CELEBRATION AT THE SAME TIME.
PRIDE IS STILL PROTEST, IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD, AND PRIDE IS ALSO JOY.
OUR CLEAR JOY IS RESISTANCE.
>> Reporter: PRIDE EVENTS ARE TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT JULY, CULMINATING IN THE PRIDE PARADE ON JULY 20 AND THE PRIDE FESTIVAL ON JULY 20 AND 21st.
THE THEME THIS YEAR IS MAKING HISTORY NOW.>>> AN ICONIC LIVE MUSIC VENUE IN NORTH COUNTY IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ROCKING OUT.
KPBS REPORTER JACOB DIVES INTO THE HISTORY AND FESTIVITIES IN STORE FOR THE BELLY UP.
>> Reporter: BB KING, WILLIE NELSON, JOHN MAYER, THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, AND EVEN THE ROLLING STONES.
THOSE ARE JUST A FEW THE ARTISTS WHO HAVE GRACED THE STAGE OF THE BELLY UP TAVERN SINCE 1974.
>> 1979 I GOT CALLED UP TO THE BIG LEAGUES WITH THE PADRES.
I WAS ACROSS THE STREET STAYING WITH A FRIEND AND WENT FOR A WALK ONE EVENING AND OPENED THE DOOR AND HEARD MUSIC.
I WALKED INTO THIS PLACE, AND I SWEAR, IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
>> Reporter: THIS MUSICIAN AND FORMER SAN DIEGO PADRES PLAYER IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE SPACE.
AS SOMEONE IN THE CROWD AND PLAYING ON STAGE.
>> I AM A PREACHER'S KID.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CHURCHES I HAVE BEEN TO IN MY LIFE.
SPIRITUALLY SAYING, YOU KNOW.
>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT THINK THEY WOULD MARK THE 50th ANNIVERSARY WITH A BIG PARTY.
>> WE HAVE 150,000 PEOPLE THAT COME THROUGH THE DOORS EVERY YEAR.
SO WE WERE ORIGINALLY THINKING ABOUT A BIG EVENT.
WE REALIZED ONLY 600 PEOPLE COULD COME BECAUSE THAT IS THE CAPACITY.
>> Reporter: THE BELLY UP PRESIDENT SAYS THAT INSTEAD, TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS, THEY WILL HAVE 50 SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER FEATURING LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ACTS.
HE SAYS THE SPACE FEELS LIKE HOME TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
EACH ANNIVERSARY ACT HAS A PREVIOUS CONNECTION TO THE CLUB.
>> IN THE EARLY YEARS, THERE WERE A LOT OF BLUES BANDS AND ROCK BANDS.
IN THE 80s, THERE GOT TO BE A LOT OF REGGAE, SOUL MUSIC, GEORGE CLINTON, CURTIS MAYFIELD .
KIND OF STARTED TO CREATE A LEGENDARY HISTORY FOR THE VENUE.
>> Reporter: JERRY HAS LIVED IN NORTH COUNTY SINCE THE EARLY 1970s AND IS PLAYED AT THE BELLY UP OVER 100 TIMES.
>> I WAS THE FIRST GUY THAT HAD A WORKING BAND THAT CAME IN AND WAS BOOKED REGULARLY.
>> Reporter: WHILE THE SPACE HAS CHANGED AND GROWN OVER THE YEARS, HE SAYS THE HEART OF THE BELLY UP HAS REMAINED THE SAME.
ITS INFLUENCE HAS SPANNED GENERATIONS.
>> IT HAS BEEN A PART OF MY LIFE I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME HERE WHEN THEY WERE KIDS, AND NOW THEY ARE GRANDPARENTS.
THEY HAVE FOND MEMORIES THREE.
TOOK THE 50th ANNIVERSARY SHOWS START JULY 3 AND RUN THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THE WHOLE SCHEDULE IS OUT ON THE BELLY UP WEBSITE.
SOME SHOWS ARE ALREADY SOLD OUT.>>> IF YOU WANT MORE OF THAT, BE SURE TO WATCH LIVE AT THE BELLY UP.
IT IS ONE OF THE LOCAL ORIGINAL SHOWS PRODUCED BY KPBS.
YOU CAN FIND PAST PERFORMANCES ON KPBS.ORG.
THE SHOW ALSO AIRS FRIDAY NIGHTS RIGHT HERE AT 11.
>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS