>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS.

AFTER THE DEADLIEST YEAR YET FOR BORDER CROSSING, SEE WHAT IMPERIAL COUNTY IS DOING TO MAKE THINGS SAFER AND ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS SPOTS.

>>> PART OF THE HOUSING SOLUTION, FATHER JOE'S, OPENS UP , A BRAND-NEW DEVELOPMENT PROVIDING STABILITY FOR 100S.

>>> SUPPLY AND LABOR ISSUES THAT ARE SLOWING THINGS DOWN THIS VALENTINES WEEKEND.

>>> THE DAYS AHEAD WILL BRING ANOTHER TURNING POINT TO THE PANDEMIC.

SAN DIEGO LEADERS SAY CASES CONTINUE TO TREND DOWNWARDS AND STARTING NEXT WEEK, THE COUNTY WILL FOLLOW STATE GUIDANCE TES INDOOR MASK RESTRICTIONS.

SUPERVISORS SAY THEY ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO WIND DOWN REQUIREMENTS IN SCHOOLS.

>>> THIS WEEK MARKS TWO YEARS SINCE COVID-19 ARRIVED.

MATT-REVISIT SOME OF THE EARLY MOONVES MADE BY THOSE WHO HAD BECOME LEADERS IN OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

>> IS A BETTER THAN THE HOSPITAL?

YES.

>> Reporter: TWO YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN THREE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WERE EVACUATED FROM WUHAN, CHINA AND PUT INTO QUARANTINE.

>> IT WAS A GOOD THING WE DID THAT BUT THERE'S A FEELING OF GUILT THAT I LEFT MY WIFE AT THE WORST TIME OF HER LIFE.

>> Reporter: HIS WIFE HAD TO STAY IN CHINA WHICH INCLUDED A HOSPITAL VISIT AND IT WAS NOT EASY ON THEIR DAUGHTER, AND ABOUT.

>> IN HER MIND, MOMMY NOT WANTING TO SEE HER, YOU EXPLAINED IT AS SIMPLY AS HE CAN.

>> Reporter: THE DAD AND DAUGHTER WERE FLOWN INTO SAN DIEGO ON UNMARKED PLANES, 200 AMERICANS AND THEIR FAMILIES QUARANTINED AND HOTEL ROOMS.

FOR SANDY HIGGINS, WAS THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH CORONAVIRUS.

>> MOST PEOPLE WERE JUST CONFUSED.

>> Reporter: BOARD CHAIR GREG COX SAYS HE WASN'T SURE WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF THESE THINGS YOU FIGURE IT WAS A PASSING PROBLEM, WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SWINE FLU, AND THOSE ARE JUST KIND OF BLIPS ON THE RADAR SCREEN, OKAY, PEOPLE WERE KIND OF FOLLOWING WHAT IS GOING ON FOR THE MOST PART IT NEVER IMPACTED THEIR LIVES, AND NOW THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE MUCH BIGGER AND IT CERTAINLY WAS.

>> Reporter: IF ANYONE GOT SICK, THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SAY AT McAS MIRAMAR, THE DOCTOR WAS IN CHARGE OF FIGURING OUT CARE LOCALLY.

>> WE KNOW IT WAS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD NOT BEEN DONE IN 50 YEARS, LITERALLY.

LARGE-SCALE FEDERAL QUARANTINE.

WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CALL THAT SAN DIEGO MIGHT BE A LOCATION, WAS LIKE WHY US?

I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF HOW CAN WE GET OUT OF THIS?

BUT THEN WE QUICKLY FIGURED OUT, THIS IS WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE.

>> Reporter: HE ENDED UP USING THE HOSPITAL TO BE READY IF ANYONE FELT SICK.

THAT THEN, TEST HAD TO BE SENT TO ATLANTA WHICH TOOK A FEW DAYS FOR RESULTS.

>> THE HEAVY BURDEN OF WHAT TO DO IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT FELL ON UCSD IN RAINY CHILDREN'S TO FIGURE OUT INFECTION CONTROL.

>> Reporter: SEVEN PATIENTS WERE TAKEN TO UCSD, OF THE SEVEN DEVELOPED SYMPTOMS, TWO TESTED POSITIVE.

THEY WERE THE 13th AND 14th CASES OF COVETED IN THE U.S. >> YOU ASSUME THE WORST.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH DR. FRANCESCA COORDINATED CARE FOR THE SEVEN PATIENTS.

>> YOU COULD SEE THE WORRY OF SUN BEING NOT WELCOMED AND REALLY BEING AFRAID.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THEY KNOW IT WAS A RESPIRATORY VIRUS BUT THEY WERE UNCLEAR HOW EASILY IT COULD SPREAD SO THE PATIENTS WERE PUT INSIDE NEGATIVE PRESSURE ROOMS THAT WERE DESIGNED FOR CONTAGIOUS EBOLA PATIENTS.

>> WE WERE AT THE MAXIMUM CONTAINMENT FOR ALL OF THESE PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS WORKED, MOST STAFF MEMBERS ENDED UP CONTRACTING THE VIRUS AND NOW ONE PATIENT HAD AN EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT, LEFT THE HOSPITAL OKAY.

ALL THE EVACUEES LEFT BEFORE MARCH CAME AND WE SAW CASES AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.

THERE WERE VALUABLE LESSONS LEARNED ALIKE HOW TO SAFELY TRANSPORT POSITIVE PATIENTS.

>> THE LOGISTICS OF HOW TO SUPPORT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ONE PLACE WHO ARE IN QUARANTINE WITH FOOD, HOUSING, SOCIAL SERVICE SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS FOR SOME OF THE PATIENTS, THERE WAS A LANGUAGE BARRIER BUT SHE WAS FOCUSED ON MAKING THEM FEEL WELCOME FAR AWAY FROM HOME.

>> AND WHAT KIND OF FOOD WOULD HELP THEM, GIVING THEM HOT WATER IN A TEAPOT SO THEY COULD FIND SOME HUMANITY.

THAT WAS SO TOUCHING AND SO IMPORTANT.

JUST TO MAKE THEM FEEL LESS AFRAID.

>> Reporter: DURING THE QUARANTINE, THE COMMUNITY SHOWED THEIR SUPPORT.

MILITARY SPOUSES ORGANIZE FOOD, TOY AND BOOK DONATIONS.

LOCAL SCHOOLS FELT VALENTINE'S DAY CARDS.

THIS EXPERIENCE HELPED PREPARE SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS WHEN A FEW WEEKS LATER, CRUISE SHIPS HAD TO BE QUARANTINED.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A BIG CHANGE THIS WEEK TO THE MIGRANT CAMP WHO HAS GROWN IN RECENT YEARS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CENTER CEDRO ORDER, THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TOSSED OUT TENSE AND OTHER ITEMS BELONGING TO ASYLUM-SEEKERS PICK AS MANY AS 2000 PEOPLE WERE LIVING THERE AT ONE POINT.

>> Reporter: MANY OTHERS CHORES DANGEROUS PATHS TO THE U.S., A KITTING TO CUSTOMS, 2021 WAS THE DEADLIEST ON RECORD FOR CROSSINGS.

GUSTAVO SHOWS US ONE TROUBLE SPOT AND WHAT'S BEING DONE TO MAKE IT SAFER.

>> Reporter: EVERYTHING JOHN HUNTER THOUGHT HE KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRATION CHANGED WHEN HE WENT ON A RIDE ALONG WITH BORDER PATROL AGENTS IN 2000.

THEY USED NIGHTVISION GOGGLES TO SPOT, WE SAW THESE GUYS, WENT AND BUSTED THEM.

TURNS OUT, THERE WERE SIX LITTLE LADIES THERE ON THE GROUND.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE A STUD, HERE I AM BUSTING SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE MY GRANDMOTHER.

IT'S NOT LIKE A MANLY THING TO DO.

>> Reporter: COUNTRY IS A STAUNCH REPUBLICAN, BROTHER AND UNCLE HAVE DUNCANSON.

UNTIL THAT NIGHT, THE PEOPLE WHO CROSS THE BORDER WERE BAD PEOPLE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT HE SAW, HE SAW POOR PEOPLE TRYING TO SURVIVE.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

HE BEGAN LEAVING WATER BOTTLES AMONG THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERT AND HE FOCUSED HIS ATTENTION IN IMPERIAL COUNTY WHERE MORE THAN 550 MIGRANTS DROPPED GROUND.

YOU LOOKED INTO WHO WAS DROWNING AND SAW THE SAME THING.

>> THESE ARE JUST ORDINARY PEOPLE, THESE ARE NOT THE CARTELS.

THESE ARE NOT MACHO MENCHACA'S, ORDINARY PEOPLE, CAN'T MAKE A LIVING.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: THE CANAL IS A WATERWAY THAT RUNS ALONG THE BORDER AS A CARRIES WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE CANAL IS NOTORIOUSLY DEADLY FOR MIGRANTS TRYING TO CROSS ILLEGALLY.

IT IS 200 FEET WIDE AND 20 FOOT DEEP IN SOME AREAS AND LINED WITH STEEP CONCRETE.

JOHN MENDOZA EXPLAINS WHY THE CANAL IS DECEPTIVELY DANGEROUS.

>> A LOT OF THE MIGRANTS DON'T KNOW THE THREAT THE WATER HAS.

WHAT MAY APPEAR TO BE, ON THE TOP MAY NOT BE ON THE BOTTOM.

THERE'S A LOT OF STRONG CURTAINS AND UNDERTONES THAT CAN TAKE SOMEONE UNDERNEATH THE WATER.

>> Reporter: JOHN AND HIS WIFE INSTALLED 1000 SAFETY BUOYS ALONG THE CANAL.

IT WAS AN UPHILL BATTLE, SOME BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF THAT THE SAFETY MEASURES WOULD MAKE IT TOO EASY FOR PEOPLE TO CROSS ILLEGALLY.

FORMER BOARD MEMBER SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL BUT HE FACED BACKLASH FROM HIS OWN AGENCY.

>> THERE WAS SOME ARROGANCE AMONG THE STAFF SAYING WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, BUILD A BRIDGE SO THEY CAN CARESS?

NOW, IT DEFINITELY WASN'T MEANT TO BE THE END OF THE ROAD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: 60 MINUTES CAME TO TOWN AND DID AN EXCELLENT TODAY ON THE CANAL.

AFTER THAT, THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT AGREED TO INSTALL BUOYS ALONG THE CANAL, EVERY HALF-MILE ON THE SIDE AND EVERY MILE ON THE WEST SIDE IN THE BUOYS ACTUALLY WORKS.

THE NUMBER OF DROWNINGS WENT DOWN.

AGENTS SAY THE BUOYS HELP THEM RESCUE MIGRANTS IN THE CANAL.

>> IF WE HAVE TO RESCUE A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS, WE CAN USE THE BILLY LINES AS A REFERENCE.

>> Reporter: THIS VIDEO SHOWS HOW THEY HELPED A SWIMMER THAT WAS TOO TIRED TO GO ON.

WITHOUT THE LINE, THE CURRENT WOULD'VE DRAGGED THE MAN OVER A 40 FOOT DROP.

THE DISTRICT HAS NOT INCREASED THE NUMBER OF SAFETY BUOYS SINCE 2010 AND DATA SHOWS THE DROWNING DEATHS ARE GOING UP, PARTICULARLY ALONG THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE CANAL.

IRRIGATION DISTRICT OFFICIALS DECLINED AN INTERVIEW REQUEST.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE AGENCY HAS INSTALLED 40 WARNING SIGNS IN RECENT YEARS IN ADDITION TO MORE THAN 1300 TIMES THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED.

47 MIGRANTS IN JOHNSON'S 2015.

HUNTER SAYS IT'S TIME TO ADD MORE WAYS.

>> THEY ARE DROWNING CLOSE TO MEXICALI.

IT IS COMMON SENSE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST.

>> Reporter: HE AGREES WITH HUNTER BUT HE DOESN'T THINK THEY WILL PRIORITIZE THE ISSUE.

>> I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.

I WISH THEY KNEW BETTER.

LET'S TRY SOMETHING ELSE, WE ARE NOT TRYING ANYTHING.

THAT IS WHAT SO IS FRUSTRATING.

>>> A FORMER ASSEMBLE SLAVE WOMAN IS IN ENDORSING A FAMILIAR NAME TO REPLACE HER.

OTHER CANDIDATE SAY IT WILL BE UP TO VOTERS TO DECIDE.

>> Reporter: LORENA GONZALEZ HAS ENDORSED GEORGETTE GOMEZ AS THE CANDIDATE SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAKE OVER HER ROLE, THE 80th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.

>> I KNOW I'M NEVER GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT GEORGETTE AS AN OFFICIAL IN SACRAMENTO AND WORRY THE POWERFUL CORPORATE INTERESTS AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ARE PUSHING HER BUTTONS.

I KNOW SHE IS GOING TO COME BACK HOME AND BE ACCOUNTABLE AND BE RELIABLE TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: AFTER YEARS IN OFFICE, GONZALES RESIGNED FROM HER POSITION IN EARLY JANUARY TO RETURN TO HER ROOTS IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT.

GOMEZ IS A FORMER CITIC COUNTY PRESIDENT.

SHE WOULD CONTINUE A SIMILAR MISSION TO GONZALES AND THE ROLE.

>> I'M FEELING VERY ENERGIZED, VERY HUMBLED TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TO BE THE NEXT ASSEMBLY MEMBER, ALONG WITH WORKING WITH PEOPLE, DOING IT WITH A FORMER ASSEMBLY MEMBER FOR THIS DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: WHILE GONZALES HAS ENDORSED GOMEZ AS HER CANDIDATE OF CHOICE, THERE ARE STILL OTHERS APPLYING FOR THE POSITION.

THAT INCLUDES DAVID ALVAREZ.

>> I THINK THE PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT DON'T WANT TO SEE SACRAMENTO PICK THEIR NEXT ASSEMBLY PERSON.

THEY WANT TO BE THE ONE WHO DECIDES WHO REPRESENTS THEM AND IT MATTERS TO THEM IT IS SOMEONE WHO HAS GOTTEN THINGS DONE FOR THEM, AS I HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO, REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT TO.

>> Reporter: THE SPECIAL ELECTION PRIMARY FOR THE 80th DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 5th, THE RUNOFF ON JUNE 7th.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THEM THE RED STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

MARINES ARE INVESTIGATING A SON OF A REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN WHO IS ACCUSED OF HAVING TIES TO A WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUP.

THE STORY YOU SAW EARLIER ON MIGRANT DEATHS IS ALSO GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

>>>'S SHOW IS OUR STORY ON A HIGH RISE AND BANKERS HELD THAT IS SETTING A NEW PRECEDENT FOR HOUSING DENSITY.

>>> THERE'S A LOT MORE THIS WEEK WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING HOUSING SUPPLY, HUNDREDS OF HOMES ARE AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN BUILT BY FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES.

JOHN CARROLL WAS THERE FOR THE GRAND OPENING.

>> Reporter: THIS AREA NEXT TO MTS HEADQUARTERS IN THE SHADOW OF ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAJOR-LEAGUE BALLPARKS IN THE COUNTRY IS WHERE YOU FIND A LOT OF SAN DIEGO'S HOMELESS PEOPLE.

THAT IT IS NOW ALSO WHERE YOU FIND THIS, A NEW 14 STORY BUILDING MEANT TO GIVE FOLKS LIKE THESE OFF THE STREET.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE STREET FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND NOW, THEY LOOK ELATED BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PLACE OF THEIR OWN.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE SAINT TERESA CALCUTTA VILLA, THE LATEST AND LARGEST EFFORT TO GET PEOPLE INTO THEIR OWN HOMES.

DEACON JIM VARGAS CUT THE RIBBON TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THE NEW FACILITY IN THERE, TO HIS RIGHT, AND 7-YEAR-OLD NAMED ABIGAIL.

SHE HAS A RESIN CARE WITH HER FATHER, JOSEPH.

THEY WERE WITHOUT A HOME JUST WEEKS AGO.

>> IT HAS AND A BLESSING TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOMETHING PERMANENT AND STABLE.

SOMETHING SECURE FOR MY DAUGHTER, AND SAFE.

>> Reporter: SAFE, SECURE AND BEAUTIFUL.

14 FLOORS OF STUDIO, ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS.

BUT THIS PLACE IS ABOUT MORE THAN APARTMENTS.

THERE IS THIS BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AREA ON THE THIRD FLOOR AND ONE FLOOR UP, A FAMILY COURTYARD AND PLAYGROUND COMPLETE WITH TWO GIRLS AND A VIEW AND WAY UP, A COMMANDING VIEW FROM WHAT IS CALLED THE COMMUNITY TERRACE, A DOG FRIENDLY SPACE ON THE 13th FLOOR.

ALL FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T RECENTLY HAVE ANYWHERE TO LIVE.

>> 407 HOMES, ENDING HOMELESSNESS OR PREVENT HOMELESSNESS OF ABOUT 550 INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: THANKS TO THE WORK OF A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE VILLA CAME IN ON TIME AND ON BUDGET DURING COVID-19.

VARGAS SEES A DIVINE HAND AT WORK.

>> HOW IS THAT HAPPENSTANCE?

I KNOW GOD WAS WITH US NOT THAT IT WASN'T CHALLENGING, EXTREMELY, BUT HE PROVIDED THE SUPPORT WE NEEDED THERE OUT.

>> Reporter: SAINT TERESA IS NOW OPEN AND NOT SURPRISINGLY, IT'S ALMOST FULL.

A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE FINDING NEW HOPE.

A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WHO WERE RECENTLY WITHOUT A HOME HAVE FOUND A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON THIS WEEKEND, WE HAVE A STORY ABOUT THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF SPORTS AND HOW IT CAN SHAPE YOUNG LIVES.

EDUCATION REPORTER MJ PEREZ STOPPED BY A SCHOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A VERY SPECIAL GUEST.

>> Reporter: THERE IS GREATEST ANTICIPATION AS STUDENTS VIOLENT FOR THE FIRST ASSEMBLY SENDS THE SHUTDOWN HERE AT THE MONARCH SCHOOL.

THESE FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS ARE READY TO HEAR A MESSAGE AND WATCH SOME MAGIC MOVES FROM A WORLD-FAMOUS HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS.

>> DON'T GIVE THEM THE ATTENTION.

>> Reporter: JULIAN IS A 6'8" FORWARD FOR THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS.

HE'S GOT SIGNATURE MOVES AND A SIGNATURE MESSAGE HE CARRIES TO STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD, TO STOP BULLYING.

HE SPEAKS FROM A LIFETIME OF EXPERIENCE.

>> DISCRIMINATION IS A PART OF BULLYING.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS TO IT.

THAT'S ONE WAY WE WERE BULLIED COMING UP, NOT ALLOWING AFRICAN AMERICANS TO PLAY BASKETBALL AND WHITE ONLY LEAGUES.

>> Reporter: KRISTIN TANNER HAS TAUGHT AT THE SCHOOL 17 YEARS.

SHE IS SEEN BULLYING OF HER STUDENTS WHO ARE ALL HOMELESS OR LIVING WITH HOME AND SECURITY IN BARRIO LOGAN AND DOWNTOWN.

MRS. TANNER PUTS IT THIS WAY IN HER CLASS.

>> A LOT OF TIMES SOMEONE WHO'S BULLYING IS HURTING THEMSELVES.

IT BEGINS TO BE COMPASSIONATE AND KIND WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE GLOBETROTTING ZEUS TALKS ABOUT ABCS OF DEFEATING BULLIES WITH ACTION, BRAVERY, AND COMPASSION.

>> IF WE CAN USE THAT ATTENTION AND USE THIS BASKETBALL TO DO SO, IT IS VERY PIVOTAL AND WE CAN STOP BEHAVIORS WE DON'T WANT IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: HE GETS THE MESSAGE FOR ANY OF HIS CLASSMATES BEING BULLIED.

>> WALK AWAY AND STUFF AND DON'T LET THEM TRY TO FIGHT YOU.

>> Reporter: THE MOVES THEY GLOBETROTTERS ARE KNOWN FOR.

>> Reporter: REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE A KID THESE ASSEMBLIES ON THIS DAY WITH YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

I'M HOPING I CAN IMPACT ONE OR TWO KIDS IN MY LIFETIME.

I THINK I AM DOING IT.

>> MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A HUGE WEEKEND FOR BARS, RESTAURANTS AND FLORISTS.

VALENTINE'S DAY IS MONDAY ON THE WORK TO GET EVERYTHING IN PLACE HAPPENS WELL BEFORE FEBRUARY 14th.

KV ALVARADO WENT TO CARLSBAD WHERE THEY ARE NEW CHALLENGES THERE FOR THE FLOWER INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: LAVENDER, THIS IS THE CABBAGE BUT ALSO THE KALE, ALTHOUGH WAX FLOWERS ARE LOCAL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: EVENT PLANNERS AND ANYONE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JUST LOOKING TO BUY FLOWERS DIRECTLY FROM LOCAL FARMS AND WHOLESALERS COME HERE.

THE INTERNATIONAL FLORAL TRADE CENTER IN CARLSBAD.

AS VALENTINE'S DAY LOOMS, PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS SEE A BIG PROBLEM.

>> IT'S CRAZY.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 36 YEARS AND I'VE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

>> Reporter: A WHOLESALER GROWS FLOWERS ON OVER 500 ACRES IN OCEANSIDE AND CARL'S BAG AND HAVE FOR WHOLESALE LOCATIONS.

SHE SAYS DEMAND IS HIGH, ESPECIALLY FOR GREEN FILLER FOR ARRANGEMENTS BUT THE LABOR ISSUE, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO CUT OUR PRODUCTS.

WE USUALLY HAVE THOUSANDS OF EXTRA BUNCHES AND WE HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT FOR THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

WE ARE PROBABLY ABOUT 12,000 TO 14,000 IN THE WHOLE.

>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM IS WHAT FLOWERS THAT ARE FLOWN IN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, LIKE THERE IS, MOST SOLD IN THE U.S. COME FROM ECUADOR.

RUDY, WHO DIDN'T WANT HIS LAST NAME TO BE USED AS HE IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS WHOLESALE ROSES.

HE PREDICTS PRICES WILL GO UP ABOUT 30% AS THE CRISIS IS MAKING IT TOUGH TO FILL ORDERS.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A BIG SUPPLY AVAILABLE AT THE SOURCE, RIGHT, THERE IS NO WAY TO MARKET.

A LOT OF LOSSES BECAUSE PRODUCT GETS TO THE DESTINATION AND IT'S NOT IN GOOD CONDITION.

IT FORCES ME TO NOT TAKE ANY ORDERS.

I'M DOING IT DAY BY DAY.

>> Reporter: HE WORKS FOR ALLEN'S FLOWERS AND PLANTS, ONE OF THE LARGEST RETAILERS WITH SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE, IT'S AFFECTING EVERYBODY.

>> SHE SAYS FOLKS SHOULD PLACE AN ORDER FOR THEIR VALENTINE.

>> ORDER EARLY AND GET DELIVERED EARLY.

SHE FEELS BLESSED HER COMPANY CONTINUES TO THRIVE BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS COST THE INDUSTRY BILLIONS.

STILL, SHE REMAINS HOPEFUL.

>> IT HAS BEEN VERY UNUSUAL SINCE 2020 AND WE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT AND HOPE IT COMES BACK TO NORMAL, WHATEVER THAT MEANS.

>>> FINALLY, THE STORY ON HOW TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING HOW WE SHOT.

THOMAS FUDGE TAKES US TO A DOWNTOWN MARKET THAT MIGHT BE A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE FOR YOUR CORNER STORE.

>> REPORTER:, GROUND FLOOR OF THE VANTAGE POINT APARTMENT BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, THERE IS A SMALL GROCERY STORE BUT IT IS MISSING SOMETHING.

THERE IS NO CASH REGISTER, NO CASHIER, NO SELF CHECKOUT MACHINES, JUST GROCERIES SITTING ON SHELVES.

ONCE YOU WALK THROUGH THIS TURNSTILE AT VALLEY MARKET DOWNTOWN, YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WILL PAY FOR THE FOOD.

>> IT IS AN ECONOMIST OR ANY WALK-IN AND HE WALKED OUT AND WE RELY ON SENSORS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WALKED OUT WITH.

>> Reporter: YOU GET THROUGH THE TURNSTILE TO ENTER FAMILY MARKET BY FLASHING YOUR APP OVER A SENSOR.

INSIDE, THERE ARE CAMERAS EVERYWHERE, WATCHING WHAT YOU PICK UP IN WHAT YOU PUT DOWN.

THIS COMPUTER SCREEN AND THE BACK ROOM SHOWS A MOVING DIAGRAM OF CUSTOMERS WHO APPEAR AS.

.

WE CAN SEE WHAT THEY ARE BUYING AND HOW MANY ITEMS THEY ARE CARRYING.

>> YOU WALK IN AND WE TRACK YOU, WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO TOOK THE LIME AND PUT BACK THE LIME.

WE ARE TRACKING THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND MOVEMENT OF PRODUCT.

>> Reporter: FOR THE CUSTOMER, USING THE STORY IS LIKE USING A SELF-SERVICE GAS PUMP.

>> WE COLLECT YOUR PAYMENT CREDENTIALS AND AFTER, WE CHARGE YOU FOR WHAT YOU TOOK FROM THE STORE.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER ASPECT IS THE DELIVERY SERVICE FOR VANTAGE POINT APARTMENTS.

ORDERS APPEAR ON THE SCREEN AND EMPLOYEES WITH BAGS OF FOOD HAD FOR THE ELEVATORS ON THEIR WAY TO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS 679 LIVING UNITS.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN SEE IN THE LAST FIVE MINUTES, SOMEONE WANTED LAUNDRY DETERGENT, TOILET PAPER AND DISHWASHING DETERGENT.

WE DO THESE DELIVERIES ALL DAY LONG.

>> Reporter: JEFF CALLS IT THE WORLD'S FASTEST DELIVERY SERVICE.

>> BECAUSE WE DON'T TO USE THE LABOR TO SIT BEHIND A CASHIER DESK, THE SAME LABOR CAN BE USED FOR THE DELIVERY SERVICE.

>> Reporter: THE STRATEGY OF FAMILY MARKET IS TO SERVE A DENSE POPULATION WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL GROCERY PRODUCTS.

RESEARCH SHOWS NEARLY 90% OF RESIDENTS IN THE APARTMENTS USE THE MARKET.

ONE OF THEM IS CAMERON THOMAS.

>> THE SIMPLICITY OF HAVING IT RIGHT DOWNSTAIRS, THE GROCERY STORES ARE FURTHER AWAY, SO FOR NORMAL HOUSEHOLD GOODS, IT'S EASY TO COME DOWN COMPARED TO THE GROCERY STORES IN THE AREA.

>> Reporter: ALL YOU NEED IS YOUR PHONE.

IT'S OKAY IF YOU FORGOT YOUR WALLET.

BUILDING RESIDENT, ANTOINETTE, WHO SAID THEIR INVENTORY MAY BE LIMITED BUT THEY THINK THE COMPANY MADE A LOT OF GOOD CHOICES.

>> EVERYTHING WE NORMALLY BIAS HERE, EVERYTHING IS HERE.

DAVE'S BREAD, THE TYPE OF CHEESE WE LIKE.

SPAGHETTI.

IT'S ALL HERE.

IT'S LIKE THEY ASKED US BEFOREHAND, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

>> Reporter: THE COMPANY SAYS THE TECHNOLOGY THEY USE IS PATENTED.

THE SERVICE IS A TREND IN RETAIL.

AMAZON RUN SIMILAR CASHLESS OPERATIONS WITH ITS AMAZON DOES STORES AND IT'S GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION IN SAN DIEGO.

LOCAL PRESIDENT, TODD WALTERS, SAYS YOU DON'T JUST NEED COMPUTERS WORKING A GROCERY STORE, YOU NEED PEOPLE TOO.

>> THE FOLKS KNOW WHAT THE PRODUCT IS, AND MAKING SURE IT'S PROPERLY ROTATED AND IF THERE ARE RECALLS ARE ANY PROBLEMS, THEY ARE GOING TO KNOW.

YOU START GETTING INTO COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY, THAT IS FINE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS A COMPUTER IS NOT GOING TO DO.

>> Reporter: EXCEL ROBOTICS HAS PLANS FOR OPENING MORE STORES.

FOR NOW, VANTAGE POINT RESIDENCE AND ANYONE ELSE WHO DOWNLOADS THE APPLE KEEP USING VALLEY MARKET.

SHOPPER, ALETA, HAS BECOME A BIT OF A TOURIST ATTRACTION.

>> AT THE FIRST THING I SHOW MY PARENTS OR ANY FRIENDS WHO COME INTO TOWN.

>>> WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK .

I MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.