>>> THE QUEUE FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING.

I AM AMITA SHARMA.

>>> COMING UP, HEALTHCARE WORKERS DEMAND BETTER FROM UC SAN DIEGO.

DOCTORS SPEAK UP AFTER GOING WITHOUT A CONTRACT FOR MONTHS.

>>> HEALING THE WOUNDS OF WAR.

WONDERING SHARES HIS STORY ABOUT NAVIGATING THE COMPLICATED MAZE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE MILITARY.

>>> AND THE TIME IS NOW FOR SAN DIEGO PARENTS WHO WANT OPTIONS FOR THEIR KIDS.

39 WILL WALK US THROUGH THE SCHOOL CHOICE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>>> IT'S NOT OFTEN WHEN COVID- 19 ISN'T DOMINATING THE NEWS, BUT THIS WEEK, MOST OF THE ATTENTION WAS ON OUR BEACHES.

THIS IS WHY.

AN OIL SPILL OFF THE COAST OF HUNTINGTON BEACH IS IMPACTING SENSITIVE HABITATS AND KEEPING THE AREA CLOSED TO VISITORS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SAYS IT'S WATCHING THE SITUATION CLOSELY.

SO OUR BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON THE OCEAN TO MAKE A LIVING.

JOHN CARROLL CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THEM.

>> Reporter: IT'S JUST ANOTHER WEDNESDAY AT AMERICA'S CUP HARBOR IN POINT LOMA, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE LANDING JUST FINISHED A VERY REASSURING PHONE CALL WITH THE MARINE REGION MANAGER FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THESE ARE GOING WELL, ACTUALLY, IN TERMS OF CONTAINMENT.

PREEMPTIVE CONTAINMENT IN PLACE AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW, THE SPILL HAS MIGRATED DOWN TOWARDS WHERE IT IS JUST NORTH OF OCEANSIDE.

BUT AGAIN, WITH FAVORABLE CONDITIONS , WITH LIGHTER WIND CONDITIONS, I THINK WE ARE POSITIONED PRETTY WELL TO KEEP THINGS FROM SPREADING FURTHER TO THE SOUTH HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THAT, TO PUT IT MILDLY, CAME IS VERY WELCOME NEWS BECAUSE FRANK SAYS IF THAT WILL TO GET DOWN HERE, IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY DEVASTATING TO BOTH OWNERS AND THEIR CREWS.

>> IT WOULD ABSOLUTELY IMPACT THOSE TRIPS THAT ARE FISHING NEAR COASTAL.

WE WOULD SEE AN IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF THOSE TRIPS.

>> Reporter: TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF LOBSTER FISHING SEASON.

FOR CATCHERS OF CRUSTACEANS TO THE NORTH, THE OIL SPILL IS DEVASTATING.

BUT NOT TO THE LOBSTER.

THE PROBLEM IS, NO BOATS ARE ALLOWED IN AND OUT OF THE HARBOR FOR THE TIME BEING.

IT APPEARS ONE PERSON'S DEVASTATION IS ANOTHER'S INCONVENIENCE.

FRED OWNS THREE FISHING BOATS THAT TAKES PEOPLE OUT TO SEA.

EVEN IF THEY WERE SET DOWN RIGHT NOW, IT WOULDN'T BE ALL THAT BAD BECAUSE THEY ARE PAST, WHAT IS FOR THEM, THE PEAK OF FISHING SEASON.

>> WE WOULD MANAGE.

IT WOULD BE A DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE THE END OF THE WORLD FOR US.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE, IT'S NOT JUST THOSE IN THE FISHING BUSINESS WHO RELY ON VISITORS.

SCORES OF RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER BUSINESSES FROM DANA POINT TO HUNTINGTON BEACH ARE FEELING THE PINCH RIGHT NOW.

FORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS BUSINESSES HERE SUFFER THE SAME FATE.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> OUT TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND THAT CALL FOR HELP FROM SOME OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

AS OUR HEALTH REPORTER, MATT HOFFMAN, EXPLAINED, IT IS NOT ABOUT VACCINES AND MASKS, BUT SIMPLY AFFORDING TO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH OHIO MEDICAL CAMPUS, PHYSICIANS ARE PROTESTING WHAT THEY CALL A REFUSAL FOR A FAIR CONTRACT.

>> ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR IS TO BE TREATED WITH THE BASIC DIGNITY WE DESERVE AS EMPLOYEES OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: THESE RESIDENT PHYSICIANS THEY THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS.

NOW THEY ARE ASKING UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH TO DO THE SAME.

>> I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF RESIDENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY HOSPITAL CAFETERIA FOOD, AND ANOTHER WHO IS POTENTIALLY FACING EVICTION BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY RENT.

>> Reporter: DR. SEAN LEE IS IN THE SIXTH YEAR OF HIS RESIDENCY.

HE SAYS MANY OF HIS COLLEAGUES ARE WORKING 80 TO 100 HOURS A WEEK, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES, DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE MEAL STIPENDS.

YOU ARE HERE UP TO 20 HOURS ON ONE SHIFT?

>> IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT EAT AT THE HOSPITAL.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A FAIR STIPEND FOR MEALS SO THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN OURSELVES DURING THESE LONG SHIFTS.

>> Reporter: DR. CHRISTINE IS IN HER THIRD YEAR OF RESIDENCY.

>> IT OFTEN COMES AS A SURPRISE TO PEOPLE WHEN I EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I WORK AND HOW LITTLE SLEEP I GET.

>> Reporter: USES THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT GIVING THEM SUPPORT TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

>> DURING THIS YEAR, MY PARTNER LOST HIS JOB DUE TO COVID.

I GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

THINGS ADD UP.

AND THEN YOUR DEBT IS THERE AN ALWAYS PRESENT IN YOUR MIND.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A PERSONAL STRUGGLE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID IN A STATEMENT MONDAY PRIORITIZE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ALL THEIR TEAM NUMBERS, ADDING THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

RESIDENT PHYSICIANS SAID THE TWO SIDES ARE STILL FAR APART, BUT ARE HOPING TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT SOON.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS COVID IS ONE OF THE REASONS FRIENDSHIP PARK ALONG THE BORDER REMAINS CLOSED.

IT'S ONE OF THE FEW PLACES PEOPLE CAN MEET DIRECTLY WITH LOVED ONES IN MEXICO.

LOCAL LEADERS SAY IT'S TIME FOR THE PARK TO REOPEN.

>> WE NEED TO OPEN FRIENDSHIP PARK.

IS MORE THAN A TIME.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO OPEN.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS JOINTS FRINGE UP THE PARK ON THURSDAY.

HE DROPPED OFF A LETTER TO BORDER PATROL DEMANDING REOPENING OF FRIENDSHIP PARK, WHICH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 600 DAYS.

>> YOU CAN'T SAY IT IS BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

YOU CAN'T SAY THAT ANY LONGER.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, IT SHOULD BE OPEN.

IT SHOULD BE OPEN TODAY.

>> Reporter: THE BORDER PATROL HAS PREVIOUSLY STATED THAT A LACK OF PERSONNEL TO SECURE THE AREA WAS THE REASON FOR THE CONTINUED CLOSURE.

FOR 50 YEARS, FRIENDSHIP PARK HAS SERVED AS A MEETING PLACE WHERE LOVED ONES CAN REUNITE.

IS THE ONLY SPACE DESIGNATED FOR CROSS-BORDER CONTACT ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

DAN, WHO IS ALSO A FRIEND OF THE PARK, SAYS FAMILIES ARE THE ONES THAT ARE SUFFERING.

>> WE REALLY FEEL LIKE THE ASPECT OF FRIENDSHIP AND FAMILY CONNECTION IS MISSING AND HAS BEEN MISSING FOR OVER 600 DAYS NOW.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE VIDEO CALLED HER MOM TO TELL HER SHE WAS AT BORDER PATROL HEADQUARTERS, TO ASK THEM TO REOPEN FRIENDSHIP PARK.

THE PARK IS THE ONLY WAY LOPEZ CAN SEE HER PARENTS.

>> MY PARENTS GOING BACK TO MEXICO.

MY GRANDMA GOT SICK.

THEY WENT BACK.

THERE'S NO WAY THEY CAN COME BACK SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL DOCUMENTS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE BORDER FENCE AT THE PARK, LOPEZ'S PARENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THEIR GRANDCHILDREN GO UP.

SHE REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME SHE REUNITED WITH HER PARENTS AT THE PARK IN 2015.

SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH HER YOUNGEST SON.

LOPEZ SAYS HER MOM IS OLDER NOW , AND HER HEALTH IS DECLINING.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE TIMES HER MOM WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO MEET HER AT THE PARK.

DOES IT EVER CROSS YOUR MIND THAT I MIGHT NOT SEE MY MOM AGAIN IN PERSON?

>> YES.

AND IT'S HARD.

I MEAN, I WANT TO SEE HER, BUT ALSO THINK ABOUT THE CONDITION OF MY KIDS.

MAC LOPEZ IS A DACA APPLICANT AND CANNOT CROSS TO MEXICO BUT THOUSANDS LIKE HER CALL FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK EVERY DAY WITH THE SAME CONCERN.

>> WANTING TO KNOW WHEN THE PARK IS GOING TO BE OPEN.

THEY TRAVEL THOUSANDS OF MILES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE BORDER.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO BORDER PATROL FOR A TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE PARK WOULD BE OPEN, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.

>>> NEW LAWS ARE IN EFFECT THAT LIMIT JUST HOW FAR POLICE CAN GO IN USING FORCE.

ONE OF THEM IS WRITTEN BY SAN DIEGO ASSEMBLYWOMAN.

IT WAS AN UGLY MOMENT LAST YEAR IN EAST COUNTY THAT BROUGHT THIS CHANGE.

>> DURING THE PROTESTS IN LA MESA, POLICE USED PROJECTILES.

A POLICE BEING BACK AT LESLIE, A 59-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER, HOSPITALIZING HER FOR A WEEK.

THOSE EVENTS CAUSED THE AUTHOR.

UNLESS SOMEONE'S LIFE IS IN DANGER OR IT IS A LAST RESORT TO QUELL A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THEY HAD DONE THAT A LONG TIME AGO, BUT I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT STEP MOVING FORWARD TO PROTECT, YOU KNOW, CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE PRACTICING THEIR RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND TO PROTEST AND ALL THESE THINGS THAT ALEXANDER IS THE FOUNDER OF PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY, A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR POLICE REFORM FOUR YEARS.

HE IS RELIEVED TO SEE THE NEW LAW.

HE ALSO DOESN'T THINK IT'S ENOUGH.

>> ESTIMATE HE WHO BELIEVES THAT THERE ARE DEEP-SEATED PROBLEMS IN OUR SYSTEM OF POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS COUNTRY, THERE ARE VERY FEW KIND OF LAWS I THINK GO FAR ENOUGH.

HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CELEBRATE ALL OF THE STEPS, NO MATTER HOW SMALL AND HOW INCREMENTAL THEY ARE.

>> Reporter: POLICE NEED BETTER TRAINING ON HOW AND WHEN TO USE LETHAL WEAPONS, BUT THEY SHOULD BE BANNED.

SO SAYS TRAVIS d'ARNAUD, A POLICE USE OF FORCE TRAINER WHO SPECIALIZES IN LESS LETHAL WEAPONS.

>> IF THESE TOOLS ARE BANNED, IT RETURNS US TO BATONS OR LEGAL FORCE.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I ASK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, WE WANT TO BAN CHEMICAL MUNITIONS, WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE?

REALLY, THERE'S BEEN NO MAJOR BREAKTHROUGHS FOR US IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

>> Reporter: USES LESS LETHAL PROJECTILES ARE UNPREDICTABLE, SO THE RISK OF INJURY IS HIGH.

THAT IS WHY POLICE NEED BETTER EQUIPMENT AND BETTER TRAINING.

>> WE NEED TO INFUSE DECISION- MAKING EXERCISES INTO TRAINING.

IT'S NOT OKAY JUST TO GO OUT TO THE RANGE AND FIRE OFF A COUPLE OF IMPACT MUNITIONS AND CALL IT A DAY AND SAY THAT IS A GREAT TRAINING PROGRAM.

LET'S TALK ABOUT, HEY, THE DECISION TO EVEN FIRE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER LAW GIVES THE STATE'S PLEASE COMMISSION THE POWER TO DECERTIFY OFFICERS FROM WRONGDOING.

THAT MEANS THEY CAN'T EASILY GET A NEW JOB AT A DIFFERENT POLICE DEPARTMENT.

ALEXANDER SAYS THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNTABILITY IS LONG PAST DUE.

>> BEING ABLE TO HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE, JUST LIKE HOLDING ANY PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABLE FOR MISCONDUCT, FOR COMMITTING CRIMES, AND NOT ALLOWING THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE HIRED I THINK IS ANOTHER VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.

>> Reporter: UNTIL NOW, CALIFORNIA WAS JUST ONE OF FOUR STATES THAT DIDN'T HAVE A DECERTIFICATION PROCESS.

>>> THIS IS A JOYOUS WEEKEND FOR HUNDREDS OF LOCAL MILITARY FAMILIES WHO WERE REUNITED A FEW DAYS AGO AT CAMP PENDLETON.

THIS IS THE SAME GROUP THAT WAS PART OF DEFENDING THE KABUL AIRPORT IN AFGHANISTAN DURING EVACUATIONS.

SOME OR KILLED.

THE WOUNDS OF WAR ARE NOT ALWAYS PHYSICAL.

ONE MARINE SHARED HIS INTIMATE STORY AND STRUGGLE WITH OUR MILITARY REPORTER, STEVE WALSH.

>> I'M HEALTHY.

I DON'T HAVE A DARK CLOUD OVER ME I USED TO HAVE.

>> Reporter: I MET COOPER WILLIAMS JUST AS THE SUN WAS COMING UP OUTSIDE A COPY HEALTH AN HOUR NORTH OF SAN DIEGO.

HE SOUNDED UPBEAT.

LAST DECEMBER, HE HAD BEEN WORRIED ABOUT BEING KICKED OUT OF THE MARINES AFTER 17 YEARS.

>> AM I GOING TO LOSE EVERYTHING?

IS MY FAMILY, ARE WE GOING TO BE PUT OUT AFTER 18 YEARS WITHOUT ANY INSURANCE?

ANY ASSISTANCE?

BASED OFF OF ANYTHING I WENT THROUGH, YEAH, THAT WAS TAXING ON MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.

>> Reporter: HE HAD BEEN SPIRALING.

AFTER MULTIPLE DEPLOYMENTS, INCLUDING IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, HE WAS OF MEDICATING.

HORRIFIC TRAGEDY MADE THINGS WORSE WHEN HIS PARENTS WERE INVOLVED IN A MURDER-SUICIDE.

WILLIAMS ASK FOR HELP.

HE ENDED UP AT A WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION AT CAMP PENDLETON.

IN THE SPACE OF ONE MONTH, HE RACKED UP TWO DUIs.

HE FACED DISMISSAL FROM THE CORPSE.

>> FROM THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT UNTIL NOW, IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS.

>> Reporter: HIS ATTORNEY SENT LETTERS TO HIS COMMAND SHOWING WILLIAMS WASN'T RECEIVING THE PROPER MEDICATION, BUT HE STILL FACED BEING DISCHARGED.

THEN EARLIER THIS YEAR, WILLIAMS WAS TOLD ONE OF THE GENERALS IN CHARGE OF THIS CASE CHANGED HIS MIND.

HE NOW THOUGHT WILLIAMS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETIRE.

>> THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON AT THAT TIME, BOTH EDUCATIONWISE, PERSONALWISE, DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF MY PARENTS.

>> Reporter: BUT IT WASN'T OVER.

WILLIAMS WAS STILL REQUIRED TO MAKE THE BOARD OF INQUIRY.

IT HUNG OVER HIM FOR MONTHS UNTIL A PANEL RULED IN HIS FAVOR.

>> IT FEELS VERY GOOD TO HAVE A WEIGHT LIFTED OFF OF YOUR SHOULDER AND THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.

THAT WEIGHING OVER YOU WITHIN ITSELF IS A VERY EMOTIONALLY TAXING THING, I GUESS.

FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

I AM VERY GLAD.

>> >> Reporter: ESTHER IS WITH THE NATIONAL VETERANS LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS THE MILITARY TYPICALLY DOESN'T REVERSE ITSELF, EVEN IN CASES WHERE SERVICE-RELATED MEDICAL CONDITIONS PLAY A ROLE IN THE MISCONDUCT.

SHE SAYS THE MARINES IN OTHER SERVICES NEED A SINGLE SET OF RULES SO TROOPS WITH TBI OR PTSD DON'T GO THROUGH A LONG PROCESS WHERE THEY RISK LOSING EVERYTHING.

>> IT IS A SYMPTOM OF A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION.

THEY'RE LIKELY TO HURT THEMSELVES.

I HAVE HAD MEMBERS TWO YEARS JUST WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU WITHOUT PROPER TREATMENT, WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO LIVE THEIR LIFE.

WON IN A LETTER, THE NEW COMMANDER OF WOUNDED WARRIOR WEST SAID WILLIAMS DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER TREATMENT INITIALLY.

SHE REVEALED THAT MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES HAVE GONE DOWN MORE THAN 50%, AT A TIME WHEN THE MARINES ARE SEEING MORE CASES LIKE WILLIAMS SHE ADDED, MARINES LIKE CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER WILLIAMS HAVE SERVED FOR MANY YEARS, OFTEN IGNORING HER INJURIES TO ENSURE THEY CAN DEPLOY WHEN ASKED.

WE OWE THEM MORE.

BETWEEN HIS TREATMENT AND THE SEPARATION PROCESS, SHE SAYS, THE MARINE CORPS FAILED WILLIAMS.

FOR HIS PART, WILLIAMS IS READY TO MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE.

>> IT MAY BE BETTER AS A PERSON.

IT MADE ME DIG DEEP TO FIND OUT WHO I AM INSIDE AND WHO I AM AND HOW I AM GOING TO RESPOND.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN RESPOND IN THOSE SITUATIONS.

YOU CAN EITHER GO DARKER, OR YOU CAN COME INTO THE LIGHT.

>> Reporter: STEPHEN WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NORTH COUNTY HAS A NEW RESOURCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

MELISSA MAY TOURED THE FACILITY IN VISTA TO SEE HOW IT WILL HELP THE COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: A CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT IS A SMALL IN-PATIENT FACILITY FOR PEOPLE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

VISTA OPENED THE FIRST COMMITTEE-BASED ONE ON FRIDAY.

>> THIS IS URGENT CARE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

>> Reporter: JIM DESMOND SAYS THIS WILL SAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT TIME AND RESOURCES AND GET INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS FAST AND EFFICIENT CARE.

>> THIS IS GOING TO SAVE LIVES THERE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING, GOING THROUGH A CRISIS AND STRUGGLING WITH THE BURDEN AND THE NEED TO GET HELP.

>> Reporter: EXODUS RECOVERY WILL RUN THE FACILITY 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

PRESIDENT AND CEO MURPHY SAYS THIS IS THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A CSU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SAY YES TO EVERYBODY WHO WALKS IN THE DOOR.

>> Reporter: IN THE SAME COMPLEX, THERE IS A MOBILE CRISIS TEAM TRANSPORT ALONG WITH PROGRAMS FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL, MENTAL HEALTH, OUTPATIENT CARE, AND SAN DIEGO START, A CRISIS PREVENTION AND PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES.

>> IT IS GOING TO MAKE IT MUCH EASIER FOR US TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, AND THAT IS TO FIND A PLACE TO DISCHARGE THIS PERSON AFTER THEY ARE STABILIZED, NOT JUST IN THE BACK TO THE STREET.

>> Reporter: COUNTY BOARD CHAIR NATHAN FLETCHER EXPLAINS WHY THE SEA AS HE WAS SO IMPORTANT.

>> THE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, THE PEER SUPPORT, TRANSITION PLANNING, ALL OF THAT GETS DONE REALLY QUICKLY.

THAT TRUST YOU BUILD IN THAT CONNECTION INTO ONGOING CARE IS WHAT I THINK IS SO ESSENTIAL.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY UNDERSHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ SAYS A CSU IS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO JAIL OR AN EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO, TO SPEND EIGHT HOURS IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

IT'S NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

IT'S FAR TOO IMPACTFUL ON SOMEBODY'S MENTAL HEALTH TO UNDERGO THAT KIND OF TIME FRAME WITH SOMEONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: IN ABOUT A MONTH, ACCESS RECOVERY PLANS TO OPEN ANOTHER CSU IN OCEANSIDE.

BOTH FACILITIES WILL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ARE EXPENSING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS GET THE PROPER CARE THEY NEED.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SCHOOLS ARE A BIG TOPIC THIS WEEK FOR OUR DIGITAL AUDIENCE AT KPBS.ORG BUT AMONG OUR MOST READ STORIES IS THE SCHOOL SHOOTING NEAR DALLAS THAT LEFT FOUR PEOPLE HURT.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT WILL INVESTIGATE THREATS AND HARASSMENT AGAINST SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND A LOOPHOLE THAT REMAINS IN CALIFORNIA'S COVID-19 STUDENT VACCINE MANDATE.

THE SCHOOL YEAR IS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, BUT PARENTS IN SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST DISTRICT ARE ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT YEAR.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER M.G.

PEREZ SHOWS US HOW THEY ARE NAVIGATING THE APPLICATION FOR THE SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM.

>> CHECK AND MAKE SURE THE NUMBER YOU ARE CALLING IS THE SAME NUMBER WE HAVE TO >> Reporter: THIS IS INFORMATION CENTRAL FOR QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, AND EVEN CONFUSION FROM PARENTS WHO WANT TO MAKE THE CHOICE WHERE THEIR CHILDREN WILL ATTEND SCHOOL STARTING NEXT FALL.

>> THEY ARE LITTLE LOST, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE NEW TO OUR DISTRICT.

WE ARE A REALLY LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BOUNDARIES ARE AT.

CARLOS GARCIA IS ONE OF MANY SAN DIEGO UNIFIED ROMA SPECIALISTS HERE AT THE FAMILY WELCOME AND ENROLLMENT CENTER IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS.

HE IS ALSO A PARENT TO APPLY TO HAVE HIS 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, KYLIE, ACCEPTED TO THE DISTRICT'S LANGUAGE ACADEMY, EVEN THOUGH THEY LIVE IN EL CAJON.

SHE IS NOW A FOURTH GRADE STUDENT LEARNING SPANISH WHO HAS BEEN AT THE ACADEMY SINCE KINDERGARTEN.

>> SHE IS FULLY BILINGUAL.

>> Reporter: SINCE OPENING MONDAY, STUDENT CHOICE APPLICATIONS HAVE DOUBLED SINCE LAST YEAR.

IN THE NEXT SIX WEEKS, THE SURGE IS EXPECTED TO TOTAL MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS WITH HOPES OF TRANSFERRING FROM THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL TO A MAGNET SCHOOL OR SCHOOL WITH SPECIALIZED CURRICULUM.

>> I CAN LOOK AT MY NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL, AND MAYBE IT WILL MEET MY NEEDS, AND MAYBE WALK.

WORK MEXI IS A DISTRICT OPERATIONS SUPPORT OFFICE OVERSEEING THE APPLICATIONS.

SHE EXPECTS A 20% INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR BECAUSE PARENTS ARE MUCH MORE INVESTED IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION AS A COVID PANDEMIC PROCEEDS.

>> IT IS REALLY ABOUT MIXING SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS AND HAVING POPULATIONS AT SCHOOL SITES THAT ARE REFLECTIVE OF THE POPULATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL CHOICE ENROLLMENT IS DETERMINED BY AN ELECTRONIC LOTTERY SYSTEM.

THAT WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME IN FEBRUARY.

AND THEN PARENTS ARE NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL IN MARCH.

LAW, THE PUSH FOR PRIORITY ENROLLMENT CONTINUES UNTIL NOVEMBER 15th.

YVONNE TORRES MOVED HER DAUGHTER, ABBY, AND SON, JACOB, FROM THEIR HOME SCHOOLS TO TWO SCHOOLS IN POINT LOMA.

SHE SAID COVID TAUGHT HER TO RECOGNIZE AND ADAPT TO HER CHILDREN'S NEEDS.

>> BOTH OF THEM DID WELL ONLINE.

BUT WHEN IT CAME TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, I SENT ONE AND DIDN'T SEND THE OTHER.

REALLY, IT WAS BASED ON WHO THEY WERE AND RECOGNIZING THEIR NEEDS ACADEMICALLY TO LEARN AND SOCIALIZE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A LESSON MANY OTHER PARENTS HAVE LEARNED.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE MISSED OUT ON A LOT OF HOLIDAY EVENTS LAST YEAR.

THEY ARE MAKING A COMEBACK STARTING WITH HALLOWEEN THIS MONTH.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST POINTS IS UP AND RUNNING.

WE CHECK OUT THE RETURN OF THE HAUNTED HOTEL.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE KIND OF THING I USUALLY DO FOR HALLOWEEN.

THE REASON I DO IT IS FOR THIS.

I ASKED THE JOYFUL SOUND OF PEOPLE LEAVING MY HOUSE.

>> IS A HAPPY SOUND.

AND THEY WILL REMEMBER THAT.

IT IS A GOOD MEMORY.

I REMEMBER MY FIRST HAUNTED HOUSE I WENT TO LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY.

I WAS SO SCARED, BUT I GOT OUT AND GOT BACK IN THE LINE.

I WANTED TO DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

>> Reporter: I KNOW NOT EVERYONE ENJOYS TERRORIZING PEOPLE ON HALLOWEEN, BUT GREG DOES.

>> THE DOORS WERE OPEN.

YOU START HEARING THOSE FIRST SCREAMS.

YOU GO, YES!

IT'S WORKING!

AND OF COURSE, IT DOES.

BUT YOU STILL NEED THAT KIND OF REASSURANCE.

>> Reporter: HE IS A KINDRED SPIRIT.

>> WHEN THEY COME OUT, EITHER THEY ARE LAUGHING OR CRYING OR JUST SUPER EXCITED.

THAT IS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE DONE YOUR JOB AND DONE IT WELL.

>> Reporter: WHILE I AM JUST A HOME HAUNTER, HE IS A PROFESSIONAL HAUNTER WHO SPENT MORE THAN THREE DECADES SCARING PEOPLE EVERY HALLOWEEN SEASON.

>> WE DO TRY TO SCARE YOU AS BEST AND AS DEEPLY AS WE CAN.

WE ARE GOING FOR A LITTLE SCAR.

WE TRY AND SCORE YOU JUST A LITTLE BIT.

BUT YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO GET TOUCHED OR HURT.

SOMETIMES, YES, AN ACTOR OR CHARACTER WILL GET SO CLOSE THAT THEY MAY BUMP INTO YOU, BUT IT'S NOT JUST MAKE NO ONE IS GOING TO HURT YOU.

IF YOU START RUNNING, WE ARE GOING TO CHASE YOU.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD OF RUNNING THE HAUNTED HOTEL LAST YEAR, HE SPENT HIS FIRST HALLOWEEN AT HOME IN 32 YEARS.

THE PANDEMIC MADE THE REAL WORLD SCARIER THAN A HOT, AND THE HAUNTED HOTEL HAD TO TRANSFORM ITS ATTRACTION INTO A DRIVE THROUGH ONE.

>> IT WAS A CHALLENGE.

EVERYBODY WAS MASKED UP.

THAT WAS ANOTHER CHALLENGE, TRYING TO SCARE WITH A MASK AND THROUGH A CAR WINDOW.

IT WAS PRETTY TOUGH.

>> Reporter: THE LAST MONTH, THE HAUNTED TRAIL REOPENED IN THE PARK WITH A MILE-LONG COLLECTION OF MAZES.

>> GOOD LUCK MAKING IT THROUGH ALIVE.

>> Reporter: THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE HAUNTED HOTEL DISTURBANCE UNVEILED A NEW SET OF MAZES IT HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE MISSION VALLEY SHOPPING CENTER.

>> MANY PEOPLE THINK WE BUILD THINGS A WEEK BEFORE REOPENED.

WE BUILD EVERYTHING TWO YEARS AGO, THREE YEARS AGO.

OVER THIS LAST YEAR, WE KEPT BUILDING.

WE BUILT THREE ROOMS AND EVERYTHING.

WE WOULD ADD THINGS WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT WE WANTED TO PUT IN ORIGINALLY.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE TOOK THE HAUNTED HOTEL FROM DOWNTOWN, WHICH IT WAS THEREFORE 27 YEARS OR WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS BROUGHT THE WHOLE EVENT HERE , EXCEPT WE HAVE EXPANDED IT.

WE HAVE OUR FREAK FEST, WHICH IS A 3-D -- YOU PUT GLASSES ON AND WALKED THROUGH.

I LOVE THAT BECAUSE IT'S SO DISCONCERTING, IT IS BEAUTIFUL, TOO.

BEES GUYS ARE AMAZING ARTISTS.

AND THEN THE HAUNTED HOTEL IS SUCH A CLASSIC.

I MEAN, I GREW UP WITH THE HAUNTED HOTEL FOR 30 YEARS.

THEN WE HAVE THIS CHAOS AREA WHERE, I LOVE THIS, THE SOUND INSIDE OF IT.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS WEIRD.

BUT IT REMINDS ME OF MY CHILDHOOD WHEN I WAS IN LOUISIANA.

EVERYONE OF THEM HAS A DIFFERENT THING THAT I ENJOY.

>> Reporter: ALL HAUNTED HOTEL ATTRACTIONS ARE OUTDOORS WITH MASKS OFTEN FOR FULLY VACCINATED ATTENDEES.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS .

I AM AMITA SHARMA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.