San Diego police prepare for Halloween crowds in the Gaslamp

The San Diego Police Department is expecting it to be packed in the Gaslamp for Halloween weekend. As a result, they say they’re adding even more resources on top of Operation Last Call.

That’s good news for bartenders like Alyssa Guzman, who’s on edge about what may happen while she’s working in the Gaslamp over the weekend.

“I’m terrified. I’m so scared,” she said, laughing.

The San Diego Police Department is well aware of the concerns some people have.

That’s why a spokesperson for the department says police have already mapped out their Halloween enforcement plan.

“We’re not going to give our exact numbers and plan on that, but we are going to increase our presence because we know that the Gaslamp Quarter does typically swell with folks on a holiday like Halloween,” said Sgt. Saum Poorsaleh.

Those extra resources are in addition to what’s already happening with Operation Last Call, which has been in effect in the Gaslamp since the end of August.

It authorizes up to 25 additional officers to be deployed to intersections in the Gaslamp to help quell fights and other unruly behavior.

Since Operation Last Call’s inception, police say 168 arrests have been made, 179 citations issued and four guns have been recovered.

“Those guns had they not been recovered by us, could have gone on to cause other chaos,” Poorsaleh said.

Victor Carillo has had a front-row seat to some of the fights, as a security guard, on Fifth and F which has become the epicenter for bad behavior. He’s noticed the difference the police presence has made.

“I’m very thankful to them. Yeah, because, I mean, they’re doing a great job, you know? Because before it used to be worse, before them, like, right now that they’re here, they’re, like, they’re protecting us from the fights.”

Guzman says she’s also noticed a decrease in problems, despite her Halloween concerns.

She says that should a problem arise, she plans to take advantage of the increased police presence in the area.

“Just like wave them down because you see them more. One car parks here a lot. If we really need something we can wave,” said Guzman.

Police say they are ready to heed the call in order to bring back the “safety and sanctity of the Gaslamp.”

This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.