Though department cuts will largely be unfelt in La Jolla, changes will immediately affect Memorial Day police patrol numbers due to short staffing.

As budget cuts loom while the city of San Diego seeks to address a $258 million deficit, first responders and safety officers are assuring La Jolla their levels of service will remain mostly unchanged.

The draft budget is only a proposal; San Diego Mayor will release his May Revision to the Fiscal Year 2026 budget Wednesday, May 14; the San Diego City Council will approve the budget  with any amendments Tuesday, June 10. The fiscal year begins annually on July 1.

The primary, immediate change to police services in La Jolla will be a reduction in Memorial Day weekend beach patrols as overtime hours are currently not approved.

“We’re going to be severely short staffed,” Officer Tom Cairns said at the May 8 La Jolla Town Council meeting.

The usual Memorial Day weekend police staffing numbers are 120 officers for Saturday and Sunday and 140 on Monday.

This year, San Diego police numbers will be 60 for Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, and about 80 on Monday, May 26. 

The San Diego Police Department’s overall budget will increase by $29.3 million, but the draft budget plans a shutdown of Northwestern Division, which serves Carmel Valley.

Those patrol officers would be split between the Northern (which covers La Jolla) and Northeastern Divisions, so La Jollans wouldn’t experience “a big change” in police coverage, Cairns said.

The Fire-Rescue Department will also see an increase per the draft budget, totalling about $24 million.

The La Jolla area “continues to have the same service that it’s always had,” Fire Battalion Chief Erik Windsor said.

San Diego lifeguard Lt John Maher also affirmed there will be no disruption to staffing if the draft budget is approved.

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