>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM THE NEWS THIS WEEK I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP IN THIS NEWSCAST THE STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH.

ANOTHER YEAR WAIT DONE BY THE PANDEMIC.

>>> ADDRESS EMERGENCY IN CHULA VISTA AS SANITATION WORKERS ENTER THE FOURTH WEEK ON STRIKE.

>>> RISE OF RUBBLE TRUCKS.

SEE HOW THE TECHNOLOGY IN SAN DIEGO IS THE MOVE TO DRIVERLESS BIG RIGS.

>>> SAN DIEGO SEEING SOME OF THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF CORONAVIRUS CASES.

ON AVERAGE 14,000 NEW CASES EACH DAY WELL SURPASSING PREVIOUS RECORDS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

MATT HOFFMAN LOOKS AT THE STRAIN ON HOSPITALS AND THE PUSH TO DEBUNK MISINFORMATION STILL OUT THERE.

>> HOSPITALS ARE TRYING THEIR BEST, BUT, WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS NOT RESPONDING, IT IS REALLY TOUGH FOR THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER SAYS AS OF TUESDAY, HOSPITALS HAVE 312 COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS NOW COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR THEY WERE MORE THAN 500.

MEMBERS ARE CONTINUING TO INCREASE AND IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THINGS WILL SLOW DOWN.

>> LESSON WE PEAKED TO GENERATE WHEN EVERYTHING WAS IN PLACE.

WE DON'T HAVE IT OUT.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE CLIMBING WITH HOSPITALIZATIONS AND EVERYBODY IS STILL OUT DOING SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, NOT DISTANCING ANNETTE WEARING A MASK.

IT IS SO HIGHLY INFECTIOUS, TWICE AS INFECTIOUS AS DELTA.

SO, THIS MAY JUST KEEP GOING FOR A WHILE UNLESS WE REALLY PULL BACK.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 1100 SAN DIEGO IS HOSPITALIZED COUNTYWIDE WITH THE VIRUS COMPARED TO NEARLY 1800 THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> THE NUMBERS ARE NOW ONLY SECOND TO THE SURGE WE HAD BACK IN EARLY 2021.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SAYS HIS MODELING SHOWS A POTENTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PEAK IN ABOUT 10 DAYS.

BACK I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY MODELS ARE GREAT BUT NONE ARE CORRECT.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOT AS HIGH AS THEY WERE A YEAR AGO, THE SURGE IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE HUNDREDS OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE OUT WITH COVID.

TO HELP RELIEVE SOME OF THAT, THE STATE RECENTLY ISSUED GUIDANCE TO ALLOW STAFF WHO TESTED POSITIVE AND ARE A SYMPTOM BETTER TO RETURN TO WORK RIGHT AWAY.

>> NOT EVERYONE AGREES WITH.

>> WE DO NOT SUPPORT THAT.

>> IS VERY DISTURBING.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WENT OUT RINGING PEOPLE BACK ON DAY ONE EVEN IF THEY ARE ASYMPTOMATIC.

IT STILL MEANS THEY COULD INFECT OTHERS.

>> Reporter: THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS ARE HAVING TO CANCEL AND DELAY SOME PROCEDURES BUT BOTH HOPE THE STATE DOES NOT OPT TO CANCEL ALL ELECTIVE SURGERIES.

>> WE ARE MANAGING LITERALLY A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS THE CASES TO KEEP GOING ON THE AMATORY SIDE TRYING TO KEEP US GOING SO WE DO NOT DELAY CARE.

WE HAD A PATIENT WHO IS THE SOLE DRIVER IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND WAS LINKED TO CATARACT SURGERY.

THAT REALLY LIMITS PEOPLES WE DO NOT WANT THEM BACK UNLESS WE HAVE TO.

>> Reporter: 80% OF THE PATIENTS ARE UN-VACCINATED AND NO ONE WHO HAS GOTTEN THEIR BOOSTER SHOT IS CURRENTLY IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> IT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

IT IS NOT TRUE.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS ACROSS SAN DIEGO INCLUDING OUR OWN CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER DR. McDONALD ARE WORKING TO CORRECT MISINFORMATION HEARD AT THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGS.

>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC CONCERNING CHILDREN AT THE MEETING.

THE FIRST WAS SINCE NO CHILD UNDER 10 DIED IN SAN DIEGO FROM COVID PARENTS SHOULD NOT GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED.

THEY SAY NO CHILD SHOULD DIE FOR VACCINE OR PRINTABLE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: THIS DOCTOR AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS SOME KIDS ARE GETTING SEVERELY SICK AND ARE SPREADING THE VIRUS.

>> TO PREVENT THE SPREAD IN THE COMMUNITIES SO WE CAN FINALLY GET THE PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO IMMUNIZE KIDS.

>> Reporter: AT NOW McDONALD ESTIMATES ONE IN 20 SAN DIEGANS CURRENTLY HAVE COVID-19.

>> TRANSMISSION IN SAN DIEGO RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK IS THE HIGHEST IT HAS EVER BEEN.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR WITH FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF SAN DIEGO SAYS WITH SO MUCH VIRUS IN THE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS.

>> 5% OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY AT ONE TIME ARE INFECTIOUS, YOU GO TO A GROCERY STORE WITH 40 OR 50 PEOPLE IN IT, THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT, WHETHER THEY KNOW IT OR NOT IT WILL SPREAD THE DISEASE.

IT IS JUST A VERY HIGH RISK TIME AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: DATA FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM SHOWS WHY PEOPLE SHOULD CONSIDER BOOSTER SHOTS.

>> RESULTING BASICALLY IN VACCINE EFFICACY FOR THE OMICRON VARIANT WITH THREE DOSES ABOUT A% PROTECTING AGAINST HOSPITALIZATION WHERE AS JUST TWO DOSES IS ONLY 52%.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR DECLARED:19 MISINFORMATION A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS LAST YEAR.

THERE IS MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING FACTS CHECKS OF COMMON MISINFORMATION AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTY CORONAVIRUS WEBSITE.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS.ORG IS A GOOD PLACE TO START FOR LOCAL INFORMATION ON THE PANDEMIC DO WE HAVE CASE NUMBERS BROKEN DOWN BY ZIP CODE, TESTING LOCATIONS AND ALL OF OUR REPORTER CONTENT.

IT IS GO TO OUR HOMEPAGE AND FIND TRACKING COVID-19 UNDER THE NEW SECTION.

>>> AS WE JUST HEARD, HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE SLAMMED RIGHT NOW BUT THEY ARE GETTING BACK UP.

STEVE WALSH TELLS US HOW THE NATIONAL GUARD IS HELPING AT TESTING SITES.

>> Reporter: LINES HAVE BEEN BACKING UP AT TEST SITES AROUND SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> YOU ARE GETTING TESTS FOR SCHOOL, RIGHT?

OR GETTING TESTS FOR WORK OR JUST GETTING TEST FOR SATURDAY'S SICK.

IS SUCH A VULNERABLE TIME FOR US AND WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT'S JUST A LITTLE COLD OR WE ARE REALLY TRANSMITTING SOMETHING TO HER FAMILY.

>> Reporter: LATE LAST WEEK THE GOVERNOR ORDERED ROUGHLY 200 CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO 50 SITES AROUND THE STATE.

SO FAR, 70 TROOPS HAVE BEEN CALLED UP IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING IN SAN DIEGO.

MORE ARE ON THE WAY.

>> WE ARE GETTING MORE FOLKS WANTING TO VOLUNTEER, SO, WE HAVE SLOTS.

>> Reporter: THE ESTIMATE THEY WILL BE HERE AT LEAST A MONTH, MAYBE LONGER.

ALL OF THE TROOPS VOLUNTEERING FOR DUTY AND MANY HAVE SERVED IN OTHER MISSIONS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

UNLIKE OTHER MISSIONS, MOST OF THE TROOPS ARRIVING AT TEST SITES ARE LOCAL SO THEY CAN AT LEAST GO HOME AT NIGHT.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS.

>>> CALIFORNIA MILITARY ALSO HELPING OUT-OF-STATE.

KITTY ALVARADO REPORTS ON A SPECIAL MISSION TO A REGION DECIMATED FROM COVID AND THE WAY TROOPS ARE SAVING A HOSPITAL FROM THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE.

>> Reporter: FUN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER IN MEXICO SERVES A VAST AREA OF THE FOUR CORNERS.

THE DOCTOR AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AS THEY CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE OR WHERE THEY COME FROM.

>> WE SURVEY MIXTURE OF URBAN, RURAL AND FRONTIER AREAS.

ALSO THE REFERRAL CENTER FOR MANY OF THE FACILITIES THAT EXIST ON THE NAVAJO NATION.

>> Reporter: COVID HAS NOT BEEN KIND TO THE REGION.

THEY HAD FIVE COVID WAYS THE LAST TWO WEEKS ESPECIALLY TOUGH.

>> WE WERE ON THE VERGE OF A TRUE CLINICAL CATASTROPHE.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PERSONNEL TO TAKE CARE OF THE REALLY INCREDIBLY HIGH NUMBERS OF CRITICALLY ILL FOLKS.

>> Reporter: THE NAVY CAME TO THE RESCUE FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER.

THE SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER SAYS THEY ARE PROUD TO CARRY OUT THE MISSION.

>> I CANNOT IMAGINE BEING ANYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT ON THE FRONT LINES OF PATIENT CAR.

>> I WAS REALLY SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WORK ON VENTILATORS.

>> Reporter: THE ICU NURSE IS WITH THE NAVY TEAM BEFORE THE MILITARY, SHE WORKED AT A CIVILIAN HOSPITAL.

>> I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO BE SHORTSTAFFED AND IT HAS BEEN REALLY AMAZING TO HEAR NURSES SAY, IT HAS NOT BEEN LIKE THIS IN A MONTH.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR SAYS THE ARRIVAL OF THE NAVY DID WONDERS FOR THE HOSPITAL AND MORALE.

>> WHAT A BIT OF A TAILWIND.

SOME INSPIRATION AND FEELING LIKE WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THEY SAVE THE HOSPITAL FROM COLLAPSE AND MANY LIVES IN THE PROCESS.

SPIKE ANY PATIENT THAT MAKES IT, IT ALMOST FEELS ARE SO.

THOSE ARE THE WINDS THEY KEEP GOING.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERY STORY ENDS THIS WAY BUT A CRITICAL CARE DOCTOR SAYS LOSING A PATIENT DOES NOT MEAN FAILURE.

>> PART OF THE JOB IS TO BE THERE IF WE CAN NOT CURE SOMEONE OR HEAL SOMEONE IT IS TO CARE FOR SOMETHING AT THE END OF THEIR LIFE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE END OF HER LIFE IS AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: SUCCESS IS ALSO MEASURED BY THOSE THEY TREAT WITH COMPASSION.

EVEN WHEN PATIENTS CANNOT FEEL IT.

>> THE TIME IS SO SPECIAL BECAUSE THAT IS THE TIME WHEN PATIENTS OUGHT TO REMEMBER AND THE FAMILY DOES.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE HUMAN AND THESE EXPERIENCES LEAVE THEIR MARK.

>> THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT REALLY IS HARD AND YOU JUST HAVE TO STEP AWAY FROM IT.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN.

THERE ARE TIMES WHERE I HAVE CRIED ABSOLUTELY.

>> Reporter: THE NURSE SAYS SEEING DEATH IS HEART AND EXPERIENCING LOSS DURING THE HOLIDAYS SOMEHOW FEELS DIFFERENT.

>> IT IS TOUGH.

WALKING INTO A ROOM AND SEEING A LIFELESS SOUL IS HEART.

IT'S NOT EASY.

ESPECIALLY CHRISTMAS DAY.

IT WAS TIME.

>> Reporter: THOSE EXPERIENCES CHANGE THEM FOR THE BETTER TOO.

THEY WILL CARRY THE STORIES OF THE COMMUNITY WITH THEM FOREVER.

THE DOCTOR SAYS THEY LEARNED FROM THOSE THEY CARED FOR.

>> WE ARE CLOSE TO THE NAVAJO NATION AND HEARING SOME OF THE STORIES HAVE BEEN VERY TOUCHING FOR US AND IT HAS BEEN A PROFOUND KIND OF EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR SAYS THEY TOO WILL LIVE ON IN THE HEARTS OF THE STAFF AND COMMUNITY.

THEY ANSWERED THE CALL WHEN THEY NEEDED THEM THE MOST.

>> OUR SINCEREST APPRECIATION FOR YOUR SACRIFICES AND WILLINGNESS TO COME OUT HERE AND HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: NEWS OF THE GOOD WORK TRAVELS TO THE MAYOR IN SAN DIEGO.

>> FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I THINK THEY REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE COUNTRY AND THE BEST OF OUR CITY.

>> Reporter: THIS MEANS A LOT TO THOSE WHO SERVED ON THE MISSION OVER A MONTH.

THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND THE NEW YEAR.

>> HONESTLY, THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

THANK YOU.

IT MATTERS A LOT.

THOSE TWO WORDS MEAN A LOT WAS.

>> Reporter: AS THEY WERE LEAVING ANOTHER COVID WEIGHT IS HITTING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

IT IS NOT LOST ON DR. GREENBERG.

>> THEY ARE SITTING AT THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS WAITING FOR OMICRON TO REALLY MAKE ITSELF KNOWN WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND THE REGENT.

>> Reporter: AS THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO MUTATE, THERE ARE MANY UNKNOWNS.

HAVING HEROES LIKE THESE ON THE FRONT LINE, 1000 OF THEM SOON WILL BE DEPLOYED AND BRINGS HOPE TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FACING OR ARE ABOUT TO FACE THE WORST.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A REMINDER FOR ANYONE PLAYING TO SEE THE TEAM ANYTIME SOON.

THEY ARE ON PAUSE THIS WEEK.

THEY JUST HAVE TOO MANY COVID CASES RIGHT NOW TO FEEL THAT SCENE.

SATURDAY'S GAME AGAINST NEW MEXICO AND TUESDAY'S GAME AGAINST UNL WILL NOT GO ON AS SCHEDULED.

THE AZTECS HOPE TO GET BACK ON TRACK NEXT WEEKEND AGAINST BOISE STATE.

>>> COVID-19 AND THE RESPONSE IS A CITY WILL BE A MAJOR FOCUS IN THE YEAR AHEAD.

STILL, THE MAYOR HAS MORE ON HIS PLATE AS HE OUTLINED IN THE LATEST CITY SPEECH.

WE RECAP SOME OF THE MAJOR POINTS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THE MAYOR SAID A WORD, THE SPEECH WAS A NIGHT SET A LOT.

A NEARLY EMPTY CONVENTION CENTER IS A REALITY FOR THE FAST SPREADING OMICRON VARIANT.

>> I WISH THIS YEAR I COULD DELIVER THE ADDRESS TO YOU IN PERSON.

WITH NEWS MOST OF OUR WOES ARE BEHIND US.

I AM ABLE TO REPORT THAT YES WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS.

>> Reporter: THE SPEECH FOCUSED ON A FEW BIG ISSUES.

AMONG THEM, THE SAN DIEGO RISING CRIME RATE.

WE PLEDGE TO PROVIDE POLICE RESOURCES THEY NEED WITH A FOCUS ON TREATING EVERYBODY FAIRLY.

>> IT COMES WITHOUT EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE, RACIAL PROFILING OR ANY ABUSE BY THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE SWORN TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

A GREAT CITY CAN FULLY FUNDED SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHILE ALSO ENSURING THEY HONOR THEIR OATH.

>> Reporter: THE ACKNOWLEDGE THE CITIES ONGOING NEEDS WHEN IT COMES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLEDGE TO SPEND THE MONEY NEEDED FOR SO GOOD PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THEM.

>> THESE ARE CORE SYSTEMS THAT ARE AGING, OUTDATED, OFTEN NEGLECTED, AND IN SOME CASES, IN DANGER OF FAILING.

IN 2021, WE BUDGETED NEARLY $1 BILLION FOR CRITICAL IN THE STRUCTURE WORK.

THAT IS FOUR AND HALF TIMES THE AMOUNT PUT TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE JUST A DECADE AGO.

>> Reporter: HOUSING GETTING FOR PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND THOSE ONE STEP AWAY FROM THE STREET.

GLORIA SAYS THE CITY IS MOVING ADDRESSING BOTH ISSUES.

>> HOUSING WITH SERVICES ENDS HOMELESSNESS.

IN 2021 WE CREATED 132 UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

NEARLY 1000 MORE IN THE PIPELINE AND 2021, WE ISSUED BUILDING PERMITS AND ENTITLEMENTS TO CREATE AS MANY AS 12,000 NEW HOMES.

MORE THAN 6500 IN THE PIPELINE RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR FINISHED ON A NOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE SAN DIEGO FUTURE.

>> AMID THE DARK TIMES, WITH THE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, WE HAVE SEEN A CHALLENGE, COME TOGETHER AND WE TRIUMPHED.

THIS SAYS TO ME WE CAN AND WILL DO IT AGAIN.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

FIRE DAMAGE THE HOME OF LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERS , EARLY INDICATION FROM FIREFIGHTERS AS IT WAS SUSPICIOUS.

THE STORY YOU JUST SAW FROM KITTY ALVARADO ON MILITARY HOSPITAL RELIEF IS GETTING PLENTY OF USE.

SO IS THE KPBS MIDDAY SEGMENT ON THE MOST ANTICIPATED RESTAURANT OPENINGS FOR 2022.

>>> CHULA VISTA, WE ARE APPROACHING TRASH PILING UP IN NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE WORSENING SITUATION AND WHAT THE CITY PLANS TO DO ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: TRASH CANS FILLED TO THE BRIM CAN BE SEEN STREET AFTER STREET IN CHULA VISTA.

IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A MONTH OF TRASH HAULING UP.

THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE HAPHAZARD.

>> THE INFESTATION OF ALL OF THE TRAP IS PILED UP IN A PLACE THAT WE ARE TALKING MAGGOTS AND ANIMALS COMING AROUND.

WE ARE TALKING, YOU KNOW, JUST THE AIR POLLUTED IN THE SPACE.

>> Reporter: HE LIVES IN THE APARTMENT COMPLEX ON EAST ORANGE AVENUE AND HE SAYS HE AND HIS NEIGHBORS ARE TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH.

THEY ARE GETTING TIRED OF SEEING KIDS PLAY OUTSIDE RIGHT NEXT TO THE OVERFLOWING DUMB.

>> WE WILL TRY TO PUT OUR MONEY TOGETHER AND I WILL CALL MY BUDDIES AND JUST HAVE THEM HOLLOWED OUT AND TAKE IT, YOU KNOW, TO THE LANDFILL.

>> Reporter: THE BUILDING NEXT DOOR IS ALSO DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

BUT THEY HAVE BEEN PAYING OUTSIDE, TO HAUL TRASH TO THE LANDFILL.

>> IT'S FOR EVERYONE AND EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED BY CITY MANAGERS.

SHE ISSUED A TWITTER STATEMENT WAS A SAYING THE CITY WOULD BE INVOKING THE SELF-HELP CLAUSE OF THE CONTRACT OF REPUBLIC SERVICES.

SHE SAYS CITY WORKERS HAVE STARTED TO PICK UP OVERFLOWING TRASH AT MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COMPLEX IS.

THE PLAN FOR VECTOR CONTROL WILL BE PUT IN PLACE.

THE DECLARATION IS EXPECTED TO BE RATIFIED AT THE TUESDAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

NEARLY 250 SANITATION WORKERS AND SERVICES ARE STILL ON STRIKE BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING BACK TO WORK UNTIL THEY GET A CONTRACT THAT THEY THINK IS FAIR.

>>> WE WILL STAY IN CHULA VISTA FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE AGGRESSIVE USE OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY.

WE LOOK INTO THE DEBATE BETWEEN PRIVACY AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE FOUND THE CITY IS GETTING WIDE CONTROL FROM A PRIVATE COMPANY OVER ANY DATA COLLECTED BY POLICE.

>>> TO THE VISTA CITY OFFICIALS FILLED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEW REAL-TIME OPERATIONS CENTER AS A STATE-OF-THE-ART PUBLIC SAFETY HUB.

ADVOCATES IN PRIVACY SAY IT'S A CHARGE IN FORCE PER COULD KNOW PUBLIC DEBATE AND NO COMPETITIVE BIDDING THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS, ALLOWS THE COMPANY TO USE, COPY, ANALYZE, PUBLISH AND A PERSON'S KITCHEN SERVICES TO ANY DATA THAT PASSES THROUGH REAL-TIME OPERATION CENTERS.

THOSE DATA INCLUDE LIVE SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS, INFORMATION PICKED UP BY THE AGENCIES AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS AND VIDEO CAPTURED BY DRONES SENT OUT TO 911 CALLS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A REAL TIME IN PERPETUAL HISTORY OF OUR LIVES IN THE MOST INTIMATE MOMENTS.

WHERE WE GO, WE SPENT TIME WITH AND HOW WE SOCIALIZE BECAUSE THIS IS SEEING WHO GOES TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY AND WHO GOES TO FRIDAY PRAYER AT A MOSQUE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GOES FAR BEYOND NIGHTMARES.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK-BASED SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY OVERSIGHT PROJECT.

>> THIS IS REALLY JUST CHILLING.

IT FEELS LIKE HANDING OVER CALIFORNIANS INFORMATION WHOLESALE.

TO THESE SURVEILLANCE FETTERS.

A REAL DERELICTION OF DUTY.

>> Reporter: THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE CONTRACT BUT IN NOVEMBER THE MAYOR TOLD KPBS THERE ALWAYS IS A CONCERN THAT CITY HALL HAS TREMBLING ON PRIVACY RIGHTS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF ARE EVER WATCHFUL OF IT.

>> ON THE STAFF WE HAVE EXCELLENT PEOPLE THAT REALLY HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO THIS AND THAT REALLY ARE STUDENTS OF THIS.

I HAVE FAITH IN THEIR EXPERTISE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES DISAGREE.

THEY ARE ESPECIALLY ALARMED THE CITY ALSO GRANTED THE MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS PERMISSION TO SELL ANY DATA RUN THROUGH THE REAL- TIME OPERATIONS CENTER AS LONG AS IT IS AND ANALYZE.

>> I NEVER SEEN A CONTRACT THIS BED.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OPEN BASED PRIVACY ADVOCACY GROUP SECURED JUSTICE.

>> OF THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL OR ADMINISTRATION REVIEWED THIS WITH A LENS OF PROTECTING THE PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OF THE RESIDENCE THEY COMPLETELY FAIL.

>> Reporter: MOTOROLA DID NOT RESPOND TO AN INTERVIEW.

SAN DIEGO LAWYERS CONTEND THE OVERALL CONTRACT FAVORS THE MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS AND SHE WONDERS WHETHER THE CHULA VISTA CITY OFFICIALS UNDERSTOOD THE STEAKS OR WERE OUTFOXED BY HIGH- PRICED LAWYERS.

>> EITHER THEY LACK THE EXPERTISE TO APPROPRIATELY ANALYZE AND UNDERSTAND THESE TECHNICAL TERMS IN WHICH CASE THEY SHOULD NOT BE ENTERING INTO THE CONTRACTS AT ALL, OR, THEY UNDERSTAND THESE TERMS AND THEY ARE HAPPILY TRADING AWAY THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF CHULA VISTA RESIDENCE.

>> Reporter: THE PRIVACY LOSS IS THE MOTOROLA SOLUTION.

>> THE DATA PROGRAM INDUSTRY IS A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY THAT IS TRYING TO TAKE EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, BOTH IN DIGITAL SPACES AND PHYSICAL SPACES AND TURN IT INTO A PRODUCT FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

>> Reporter: HE AND OTHER DRIVER SEAT ADVOCATES WANT LAWMAKERS TO OUR CITIES LIKE CHULA VISTA FROM CUTTING DEALS WITH COMPANIES AND GIVING THEM ACCESS TO DATA ON THE RESUMES.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE PROTECTING US FROM, NOT SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD BE FUELING.

>> Reporter: FROM PRIVACY SECURITY TO NATIONAL SECURITY.

TOMORROW, WE TELL YOU HOW CHULA VISTA POLICE ALMOST EXTENSIVELY BUY DRONES FROM A CHINESE MANUFACTURER ON A WATCHLIST FOR SPYING.

>>> IT IS HARD TO GET ON A FREEWAY WITHOUT SHARING THE ROAD WITH BIG RIGS.

THE PEOPLE ARE A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND THERE MAY BE FEWER OF THEM IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

THE ROBO TRUCKS BEING DEVELOPED RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> THIS WAS THE MAIN ONE.

>> Reporter: THE ROBOTICS PROFESSOR POINTS OUT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN A SMALL VEHICLE DELIVERING MAIL AT UC SAN DIEGO WITHOUT A DRIVER TO GOT IT.

DRIVERLESS VEHICLES LIKE THIS ONE ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON.

THE NEW TECHNOLOGY COUPLED WITH OVERLOADED SUPPLY CHAINS AND A SHORTAGE OF TRUCK DRIVERS ARE PUTTING DRIVERLESS TRUCKS IN THE SITES A LOT OF COMPANIES.

>> WE HAVE THIS MASSIVE NEED FOR GETTING MORE OUT OF PORTS AND GETTING ON THE ROADS.

THAT IS WHERE WE SEE THESE MULTIPLE NEW COMPANIES COME UP THAT ACTUALLY ARE WORKING ON THE TECHNOLOGY.

NOT ONLY AURORA AND GM.

TESLA IS PROMISING IS.

>> Reporter: LET'S STICK WITH THE SAN DIEGO STARTING TO SYMBOL.

THE DRIVERLESS RUN LAST MONTH FROM A RAIL YARD IN TUCSON TO A DISTANT VISION CENTER IN PHOENIX WAS A FIRST FOR THE COMPANY AND THEY SAY A FIRST FOR THE INDUSTRY PEER:WORKING WITH PARTNERS LIKE UPS, THE COMPANY ALREADY IS DELIVERING GOODS WITH AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS PROVIDING A HUMAN SAFETY DRIVER IS PRESENT.

THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF TOO SIMPLE.

>> DIVISION OF TOO SIMPLE IS FROM A MAJOR FREIGHT LOCATION LIKE A PORT OR RAIL YARD OR DISTRIBUTION CENTER, WE CAN TAKE OUR CUSTOM BUILT TRUCKS THAT HAVE NO DRIVER TO TAKE A JOURNEY THAT COULD BE 100 MILES OR COULD BE 1000 MILES AND GO FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER LOCATION.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA THAT ROBO TRUCKS WOULD BE THE STEER POINT- OF-SALE DRIVING TECHNOLOGY MAKE SENSE TO THIS PROFESSOR.

HE SAYS THAT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAYS IS THE EASIEST APPLICATION FOR SELF DRIVING VEHICLES AND THE CHOICE BETWEEN TRUSTING A HUMAN OR TRUSTING A ROBOT AT THE WHEEL OF A TRUCK, THE OPPRESSORS VIEW IS PRETTY CLEAR.

>> THE DRIVERS GET TIRED.

THE LONG HALLS AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF THIS BUT, WHEN YOU HAVE THE AUTONOMOUS DRIVING TRUCKS THEY SAVE FUEL.

EVEN FROM SORT OF A GREEN PERSPECTIVE, IT MAKES SENSE.

IT IS NO SURPRISE BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, A COMPUTER IS A BETTER DRIVER THAN PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: TRUCKS PARKED SIDE- BY-SIDE AT THIS TRUCK STOP IN MESA.

>> Reporter: STOP HERE FOR FUEL, SHOWERS AND ARREST.

SOME OF THE DRIVERS ARE DESIGNED FOR FUTURE AUTOMATION OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY BUT THEY DO NOT SHARE THE VIEW THAT COMPUTERS ARE BETTER DRIVERS THAN THERE.

HE HELD FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND HAS BEEN DRIVING A TRUCK 30 YEARS.

>> I THINK IT IS THE WAY THE INDUSTRY WILL GO BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF DRIVERS THAT WE HAVE BUT I DON'T PARTICULAR CARE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: WHY DO YOU NOT CARE FOR IT?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE UNSAFE FOR A WHILE.

YOU KNOW.

NOT BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, DEAL WITH TRAFFIC ADDITIONS ARE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

THERE ARE TOO MANY VARIABLES OUT HERE.

MAYBE A COMPUTER CANNOT ADJUST TO THE SAME WAY.

MAYBE IT WILL PICK I DO NOT KNOW.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ADJUST LIKE WE CAN ADJUST.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 10 MILES AWAY, WORKING TO BECOME REGISTERED TRUCK DRIVERS LISTENING TO AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE UNITED TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL IN MISSION VALLEY.

THE SCHOOL TRAINING COORDINATOR IS PHIL HARRIS WHO SAYS HE THINKS AUTOMATION IS GREAT.

WILL IT REPLACE ALL TRUCKERS?

NO WAY HE SAYS, BUT, IT WILL CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE JOB, MAKING IT NECESSARY FOR TRUCK DRIVERS TO UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY.

>> YOU WILL HAVE SOMEBODY IN THERE AS A TECHNICIAN.

I SEE AUTOPILOTS, NAVIGATORS, TECHNICIANS, OVERSEERS.

WHATEVER.

YOU WON'T BE CALLED A DRIVER BUT WE WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE TRUCK.

>> Reporter: DRIVERLESS TECHNOLOGY STILLS NEEDS ATTENTION.

AGAIN, TOO SIMPLE.

>> THINGS ARE DONE WITH STEERING SO YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE EVEN IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF SYSTEM DEGRADATION.

>> Reporter: ONE STUDENT AT THE UNITED TRUCK REVVING SCHOOL SAYS IF THE JOB OF BEING A TRUCK DRIVER CHANGES, THAT IS OKAY WITH HIM.

>> I AM ALWAYS OPEN TO LEARNING AND NEW ADVANCEMENTS AND TRYING TO STAY ON TOP OF IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU EITHER KEEP UP OR YOU GET LEFT BEHIND.

THAT IS THE WAY THE WORLD CHANGES.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE WITH IT.

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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.