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Public Safety

Roundtable: Protecting San Diego's Unsheltered

A makeshift memorial is set up under the San Diego City College Bridge on B Street between Park Blvd and 16th street, San Diego, Calif. March 17, 2021.
Matthew Bowler
A makeshift memorial is set up under the San Diego City College Bridge on B Street between Park Blvd and 16th street, San Diego, Calif. March 17, 2021.
The renewed focus on San Diego's homelessness crisis after a deadly crash downtown, the enormous toll on local small businesses after one year of pandemic closures, and Governor Gavin Newsom's political strategy as a recall effort gains momentum.

Deadly Crash Elevates Downtown Homeless Issues

The week started with the deaths of three people experiencing homelessness in downtown San Diego. A man arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired is accused of ramming his car into a group that was sheltering in a tunnel near San Diego City College. Six others were injured. The crash is a high-profile example of the threats facing the local homeless population and raises discussion on how Mayor Todd Gloria plans to address the problem. Lisa Halverstadt has reported extensively on the issue for Voice of San Diego and joins us to talk about Gloria's response.

RELATED: Fatal Crash Prompts Calls To Shelter Homeless In Hotel Rooms

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The Challenging Year For San Diego's Small Businesses

The past year has been a challenge just to survive for many of San Diego’s small businesses. As part of a special series of reports marking one year since the start of local COVID-19 shutdowns, Claire Trageser met with several business owners to hear their stories about the struggle to stay afloat. We also discuss new data on just how severe the downturn has been for independent businesses.

RELATED: How Will The Pandemic Change The Future Of Work?

Newsom Recall Effort Picks Up Steam

We are seeing a change in tactics from Governor Gavin Newsom when it comes to the recall effort that threatens his position in Sacramento. The Governor went on a bit of a media blitz participating in a series of interviews, some with national outlets. He also launched an effort to organize a political operation formally should the recall move forward. Supporters of the recall say they’ve submitted more than enough signatures to force a vote. KQED political correspondent Marisa Lagos is among those who interviewed Governor Newsom in recent days and joins us to talk about this developing story.

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RELATED: Explainer: Why Is California Gov. Newsom Facing A Recall?

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