>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOUR KPBS EVENING EDITION EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS EVENING EDITION AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS .

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

UPPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN COMPANY, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM SINCE 1978 AND BY THE CONRAD -- CONRAD PREBYS , DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9th.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN WITH TWO ISSUES FACING US ALL.

TAXES AND TRANSPORTATION PUCK ON THE EVENING OF A KEY VOTE ON A CONTROVERSIAL MILEAGE TAX, ACTIVISTS TOGETHER TO DENOUNCE THE PLAN.

WE HAVE BOTH SIDES AND WE BEGIN WITH REPORTER, KITTY ALVARADO.

>> TOMORROW, SANDAG WILL VOTE ON THE MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PROJECT AND HUMAN HISTORY.

THAT IS HOW SUPERVISOR, JIM DESMOND STARTED HIS NEWS CONFERENCE OPPOSING THE SANDAG REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

IT IS NOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN HUMAN HISTORY BUT AT $163 BILLION OVER 30 YEARS, IT IS $33 MILLION MORE THAN THE LAST PLAN.

>> THEY PLAN ON PAYING FOUR IT TAXING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR CARS AND INTO BUSES AND TRAINS.

>> Reporter: THE PLAN INCLUDES A TWO CENT PER MILE ROAD TAX TO HELP FUND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

DESMOND SAYS THAT IS UNFAIR TO PEOPLE IN HIS NORTH COUNTY DISTRICT AND THERE ROLE EAST COUNTY.

>> IT IS NAOVE TO THINK COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND ON ROADS OF NORTH AND EAST COUNTY, ALPINE, VALLEY CENTER, JULIAN COULD BE EFFECTIVELY SERVED BY MASS TRANSIT YET EVERYONE OF THOSE PEOPLE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES WILL BE PAYING FOUR THE TAX.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK, THREE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE BOARD CAME OUT IN OPPOSITION TO THAT PART OF THE PLAN.

EL CAJON MAYOR, BILL WELLS SAYS THE PLAN THAT FOCUSES ON EXPANDING PUBLIC TRANSIT WON'T SERVE HIS COMMUNITY AND WILL BENEFIT VERY FEW.

ONLY 3% OF SAN DIEGANS USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

>> THIS IS FOR A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT NOBODY USES.

RIGHT NOW, CURRENTLY, IF YOU LOOK AT BUSES AND TROLLEYS, THEY ARE COMPLETELY EMPTY.

IF YOU WANT TO BE SAFE AND HAVE GOOD SOCIAL DISTANCING 400, SIT ON A BUS OR TROLLEY BECAUSE YOU WILL BE ALONE.

>> Reporter: OCEANSIDE COUNCILMEMBER RODRIGUEZ SAYS PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT WON'T BE ABLE TO ABANDON THEIR CARS.

>> THESE ARE HARD-WORKING BLUE- COLLAR FAMILIES THAT WILL BE NEGLECTED BECAUSE THESE ROADWAYS THAT THEY DEPEND ON WILL NOT BE WIDENED AND THEY ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FORCE THESE FAMILIES INTO BUSES INTO TRAINS AND THEN THAT IS NOT REALISTIC FUR NORTH COUNTY., THE BOTTOM LINE, THEY WANT A MORE REALISTIC PLAN THAT USES TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE EMISSIONS, IS MORE INCLUSIVE AND LESS EXPENSIVE.

>> WE'VE GOT TO STEP UP AND SAY NO.

THIS CAN HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> COMING UP ON EVENING ADDITION, WE WILL TAKE AN IN- DEPTH LOOK INSIDE THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN FUR SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>>> COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRST OMICRON COVID-19 CASE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN SAN DIEGO.

A RESIDENT WHO HAD RECENTLY TRAVELED ABROAD TESTED POSITIVE FOUR COVID YESTERDAY.

THE SAN DIEGO EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESEARCH FUR COVID HEALTH ALLIANCE CONDUCTED WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCING AND IDENTIFIED THE OMICRON VARIANT THIS MORNING.

THE PATIENT WHO HAD BEEN VACCINATED AND RECEIVED A BOOSTER WAS NOT HOSPITALIZED AND IS UNDER ISOLATION.

>>> THE FDA HAS GIVEN THE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION 416 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS TO GET A THIRD DOSE OF THE PFIZER VACCINE.

THE CDC NEEDS TO GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO GET STARTED GETTING THOSE BOOSTER SHOTS IN ARMS.

KPBS EVENING EDITION EDUCATION REPORTER, ANGIE PEREZ TAKES US TO ONE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL ON THE FRONT LINES OF VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: THIS ACTIVITY ROOM AT POINT LOMA HIGH SCHOOL IS NOW A POP-UP LINICK.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PARTNERING WITH START HEALTHCARE TO GIVE COVID- 19 VACCINATIONS AT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THE GROESBECK FAMILY IS HERE SO JAMES AND ELEANOR CAN GET THEIR SECOND DOSES OF THE PFIZER VACCINE.

CANDACE GROESBECK IS ALREADY FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTERED.

SHE SUPPORTS TODAY'S FDA ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> I HAVE AN OLDER SON WHO IS 14 WHO WAS VACCINATED ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO AND I WOULD HAVE HIM HAVE A BOOSTER.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED WILL CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH SHARP HEALTHCARE FOUR MORE POP UP CLINICS THROUGH LATE JANUARY.

THAT IS WHEN THE DISTRICTS MANDATE REQUIRES ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS, 16 AND UP, TO BE FULLY VACCINATED IN ORDER TO ATTEND IN PERSON CLASSES.

A BOOSTER IS NOT PART OF THAT MANDATE.

11-YEAR-OLD JAMES DOES NOT MIND THE SHOTS OR MAYBE SOMEDAY GETTING A BOOSTER IF IT WILL STOPCOVID.

>> YOU DON'T WANT AND OF COURSE BECAUSE IT'S LIKE YOU DON'T WANT TO GET THE FLU OR ANYTHING SO I THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA THAT YOU WANT TO GET VACCINATED SO WE CAN STOP THE PANDEMIC AND MAYBE NOT HAVE TO WEAR MASKS ANYMORE.

BOBAK THE PFIZER VACCINE IS THE ONLY OPTION IN THE U.S.

RIGHT NOW FUR ANYONE UNDER 18.

NOW THAT THE FDA HAS GIVEN ITS APPROVAL U.S. OFFICIALS HOPE THE BOOSTERS WILL BECOME SOMETHING THAT SUPPORT ALL THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS OFFERING TILE DOSES TO STUDENTS AS YOUNG AS FIVE BANK YEARS OLD.

THE HEAD OF THE COVID RESPONSE SAYS MORE VARIANCE VARIANTS COULD BE ON THE WAY.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO BOOST OUT UP AND GET THE ADDITIONAL BIT OF PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS BOOSTERS HELP AT ANY AGE.

THE CDC IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE THE FDA'S TEAM A BOOSTER RECOMMENDATION WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

UNTIL THEN, SIX-YEAR-OLD ELEANOR GROESBECK HAS SOME ADVICE FUR KIDS WHO MIGHT BE AFRAID OF GETTING VACCINATED.

>> IT'S OKAY TO BE AFRAID.

JUST GET IT AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO GET IT LATER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A SIMPLE MESSAGE TO UNDERSTAND.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION SOLD MORE THAN 5000 OF ITS MOSTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS TO THE WALL STREET INVESTMENT FIRM, BLACKSTONE.

TODAY SOME TENANTS MARCHED ON AND OCCUPIED THE FOUNDATIONS OFFICES FUR NEARLY 2 HOURS TO CALL FOR A GREATER TENANT PERCENT PROTECTION.

RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER -- WAS ON THE SCENE.

>> [ CROWD CHANTING FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT].

>> Reporter: A TENANTS RIGHT GROUP ORGANIZED A POSTTEST.

JOSI LOPEZ IS THE DIRECTOR.

>> WE ARE HERE TODAY TO DEMAND THAT THE CONRAD PREBYS FAMILY FOUNDATION HELP US REACH OUT TO MANAGEMENT IN ORDER TO SCHEDULE MEETINGS TO MEET WITH OUR TENANTS.

TO DISCUSS THE CONCERNS THAT THEY ARE FACING AT THEIR BUILDINGS AND HAVE THEM RECOGNIZE SAN DIEGO -- UNIT.

>> Reporter: THEY SPECIFICALLY WANT MIKE STONE TO AGREE TO STOP RAISING RENTS DURING CALIFORNIA'S STATE OF EMERGENCY WHICH HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MARCH, 2022 AND THEY WANT BLACKSTONE TO ONLY RAISE RENTS BY LESS THAN 3% AS WELL AS CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH THEIR LANDLORDS.

>> LANGWOOD >> >> MARIA IS A BLACKSTONE TENANT IN X CAN DEDO.

SHE TOLD THE BACK BLACKSTONE REPRESENTATIVE THAT REAL ESTATE FIRMS ARE INCREASINGLY BUYING UP HOMES AND THEY REFUSE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FUR TENANTS SUCH AS SIMPLE REPAIRS.

CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION OFFICIALLY SOLD ITS HOUSING PORTFOLIO TO BLACKSTONE FUR $1.1 MILLION IN LATE AUGUST.

IN A STATEMENT TO KPBS EVENING EDITION, DAN YATES, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION SAID THEY UNDERSTAND A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IS INTERESTED IN SPEAKING WITH THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTIES BUT THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION NO LONGER OWNS THESE PROPERTIES AND DOES NOT HAVE ANY INFLUENCE TO BROKER THESE DISCUSSIONS.

WE ENCOURAGE THE GROUP TO REACH OUT TO DIRECTLY THE CURRENT OWNER.

>> Reporter: KATHLEEN IS A BLACKSTONE TENANT IN LA MESA.

SHE SAID HER RENT HAS GONE UP THOUGH THE BUILDING IS NOT MAINTAINED WITH PAINT CHIPPING AND BROKEN RAILINGS.

>> WE ARE NOT BEING RESPECTED AS TENANTS.

THE ISSUES OF NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN THE HOME THAT WAS ONCE BEAUTIFUL WE WERE LIVING IN NOW IS EMBARRASSING TO BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS., A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BLACKSTONE TOLD KPBS EVENING EDITION THAT ANY RENTS RAISED WERE LESS THAN MARKET RATES AND THE COMPANY HAS COMMITTED $100 MILLION TO REPAIRING UNITS.

THE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO SAID THEY WON'T FORCE OUT RENTERS FUR RENOVATIONS.

BACK AT THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION OFFICES, SAN DIEGO POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE BUT NO ARRESTS WERE MADE.

AFTER TWO HOURS, TENANTS AT THE OFFICE LEFT WITHOUT ANY FIRM COMMITMENTS BUT SPIRITS STILL SEEMED HIGH.

>> THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDING TO KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> LAST SUMMER, A MAN PROTESTING POLICE BRUTALITY IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO WAS CHARGED WITH 19 FELONIES, FOUR USING TEARGAS ON POLICE OFFICERS AND RESISTING ARREST.

TODAY, HE WAS ACQUITTED BY A JURY OF ALL CHARGES.

PROSECUTORS ALLEGED DENZEL DRAUGHN PEPPER STRAIGHT SPRAYED 11 POLICE OFFICERS BUT HIS ATTORNEY SAYS HE WAS ACTING TO DEFEND A PROTESTER WHO WAS BEING PUNCHED AND KICKED BY POLICE.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAD NO COMMENT ON THE DECISION AND THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST OR COMMENT.

>>> IT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND.

A SUMMIT AIMED AT SAVING OUR DEMOCRACY.

NOT JUST HERE IN THE U.S.

BUT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

>> DEMOCRACY, GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOUR THE PEOPLE, CAN AT TIMES BE FRAGILE BUT ALSO IT IS INHERENTLY RESILIENT.

IT IS CAPABLE OF SELF CORRECTION AND IS CAPABLE OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND YES, DEMOCRACIES ARE HARD.

WE ALL KNOW THAT.

IT WORKS BEST WITH CONSENSUS AND COOPERATION.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDED HOSTED THE CONVENTION AND TOGETHER THEY SOUNDED THE ALARM ABOUT THE GLOBAL SIDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

THEY ALSO DISCUSSED COMBATING CORRUPTION, DEFENDING AGAINST AUTHORITARIANISM AND PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS.

>>> SO MUCH-NEEDED RAIN IS EXPECTED THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO THIS EVENING.

ALEXANDER RUN HOW HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: -- >> MAKE SURE I'M ON LEVEL GROUND.

>> Reporter: DONALD, A HOMELESS PERSON TAKING SHELTER IN HIS TENT NEAR DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO SAYS HE IS PREPARED FUR THE RAINDROPS COMING HIS WAY.

SAN DIEGO HASN'T SEEN RAIN SINCE LATE OCTOBER.

ALEX WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS A LITTLE WET WEATHER IS GOOD NEWS.

>> IT IS SOMETHING WE DESPERATELY NEED IN TERMS OF GETTING RID OF FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN QUITE SEVERE.

WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN MORE WILDFIRES BECAUSE IT IS JUST SO DRY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS MOST SAN DIEGANS WILL ONLY SEE ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF INCH OF RAIN WHICH IS MODERATE WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET THAT UMBRELLA OUT AND KEEP IT ON HAND FUR NEXT WEEK.

HE SAID THE LARGE STORM COMING FROM THE PACIFIC IS EXPECTED TO HIT SAN DIEGO LATE MONDAY TO EARLY TUESDAY.

>> WE SHOULD HE SEE HEAVY RAIN.

A LOT OF AREAS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL SEE ONE TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN WITH EVEN MORE INCHES IN THE MOUNTAINS.

IF IT COMES THROUGH LIKE WE EXPECT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THOSE WITH A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD MOST LIKELY WON'T BE AFFECTED BY THE EXPECTED RAINFALL BUT FOUR UNSHELTERED PEOPLE, IT CAN BE BRUTAL.

THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION ACTIVATED THE INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER ALERT.

FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES HAS 45 BEDS FUR THOSE NEEDING TO STAY DRY AND SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION HAS 10.

>> IT IS JUST NOT SAFER PEOPLE BE SLEEPING ON THE STREET.

WE WANT TO INVITE THEM TO COME INDOORS.

>> Reporter: PAUL ARMSTRONG WITH THE RESCUE MISSION SAYS THEIR BEDS AT THE MISSION ARE ONLY FOUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM THE SHELTER, WE CAME ACROSS STEM, STAYING WARM AND DRY INSIDE HIS TENT.

>> IT DOES THE JOB.

PORTMAN HE SAYS HE WOULD RATHER STAY IN HIS TENT THEN GO TO A SHELTER.

>> LIKE I SAY, I'VE BEEN HOMELESS HALF MY LIFE NOW.

64 YEARS OLD AND I'VE BEEN HOMELESS 30 ONE OF THOSE YEARS.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDER RUN HOW, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HAPPENING, A FEW SPRINKLES IN THE AIR AND THEY MOVE OUT TONIGHT.

WE ARE QUITE A IN THE WEEKEND BUT EVERYTHING CHANGES EARLY NEXT WEEK WHEN ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM COMES IN AND THAT ONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BRING VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE REGION, MORE THAN 1 INCH IN SOME SPOTS.

CERTAINLY WATCHING THAT STORM NEXT WEEK BUT FOUR TONIGHT, GETTING QUIETER AS THE LAST OF THE SHOWERS MOVE OUT.

ESPECIALLY AROUND THE SOUTHERN REASON REGION STUNNED TONIGHT.

51 TO THE LOW IN MY LAGUNA, THE MOISTURE HERE IS REALLY PUSHING SOUTH AND THAT LEAVES A QUIETER AND QUIETER TIME BY DAYBREAK.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING GOING ON OUT THERE.

MOST OF US ARE LOOKING AT A SUNNY START TO THINGS.

FRIDAY, PRETTY QUIET TO A LITTLE BREEZY WITH THE ONSHORE FLOW BUT OVERALL THE PATTERN IS THAT MOISTURE LEAVING TO THE INTERIOR SOUTHWEST AND LEAVING BEHIND AT LEAST SOME COOLER AIR FOUR IF YOU FOLKS.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH TOMORROW, 63 FUR THE HIGH, 62 IN OCEANSIDE AND BURGESS SPRINGS COMING IN IN THE MID 60s.

A LOT OF US ARE HOLDING ONTO THE 60s OR EVEN MID TO UPPER 50s.

NEXT WEEK, ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WORKS IN AND THIS ONE IS GOING TO BRING IN QUITE A BIT OF MOISTURE ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY'S TIME FRAME.

WE WILL SEE THAT HEAVY RAINFALL TRYING TO WORK ITS WAY IN BUT THE SHOWERS AND WET WEATHER FROM THAT STARTS ON MONDAY.

THE SHOWER IS POSSIBLE IN THE MORNING.

NOTICED THE COAST NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS OR THE WEEKEND LOOKING GOOD.

DRY, TEMPERATURES IN THE 60s AND THEN WE WILL COOL OFF WITH THE NEXT INCOMING STORM IN THE CHAT FUR HEAVY RAIN HEADING INTO NEXT TUESDAY.

INLAND LOCATIONS ALSO QUIET THROUGH THE WEEKEND HERE, HOLDING ON IN THE 60s, FALLING BACK IN THE 50s FOUR MONDAY AND TUESDAY AS WE GET MORE OF THE HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL WITH GUSTY WINDS WITH THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM.

MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS, YOUR RAIN COMES AND TUESDAY AND TEMPERATURES BACK IN THE LOW 40s.

WE STAY THERE THROUGHOUT SO IT IS GOING TO BE A COOLER PATTERN THE REST OF THE WEEKEND THIS WEEKEND IN THE DESERT LOCATIONS, TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 60s.

IT IS TUESDAY WHERE WE START TO SEE RAIN AND DRIZZLE RETURN.

FOUR KPBS EVENING EDITION NEWS, I'M ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST, MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY TOMORROW WILL VOTE ON A 30 YEAR TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAT AIMS TO SHIFT COMMUTE HABITS AWAY FROM CARS IN FAVOR OF BIKING, WALKING, AND PUBLIC TRANSIT.

KPBS EVENING EDITION METRO REPORTER, ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: EVENING RUSH HOUR IS STARTING ON THE I-5 FREEWAY IN BARRIO LOGAN.

THAT IS WHERE I MEET MS. MARTIN IS, CLIMATE JUSTICE DIRECTOR FUR THE NONPROFIT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION.

THE DAMAGE THIS FREEWAY HAS CAUSED IS PALPABLE FROM THE HIGH LEVELS OF TOXIC AIR POLLUTION TO THE DEAFENING NOISE.

>> THE REGIONAL PLAN IS TRYING TO UNDO THE HISTORY OF THIS INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS.

WE SEE FREQUENCY INCREASING IN THE TRANSIT SYSTEM, 24 HOUR SERVICE, AND A STUDY TO IMPROVE THE BLUE LINE THAT GOES TO THE SOUTH BAY AS WELL AS BATHROOMS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT ARE REALLY KEY IN MAKING THE TRANSIT SYSTEM SUCCESSFUL.

>> THE BIG PICTURE IS ABOUT IMAGINING THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION.

>> Reporter: THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY'S PLANNING AGENCY, SANDAG.

HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE PLAN IS EXPENSIVE COSTING $163 BILLION OVER THREE DECADES BUT HE SAYS THERE IS A LOT THE PLAN WOULD PAY FOUR INCLUDING NEW HIGH- SPEED SUBWAY LINES FROM NATIONAL CITY TO SORRENTO VALLEY AND EL CAJON TO HILLCREST.

>> IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO DRIVE, IN CERTAIN AREAS, OR IF YOU DECIDE TO OWN ONE CAR INSTEAD OF TWO, THIS SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE THAT AND FULFILL THAT VACUUM FOR YOU, NOT HAVING THE SECOND CAR OR HAVING NO CAR AT ALL IN SOME CASES.

>> >> Reporter: AMONG THE BIGGEST CHANGES COMPARED TO PREVIOUS PLANTS IS HOW THIS ONE TREATS HIGHWAYS.

SANDAG HAS ABANDONED PROJECTS THAT WOULD WIDEN SEAWAYS INSTEAD CONVERTING EXISTING LANES INTO NEW MANAGED LANES.

THEY ARE OPEN TO CARPOOLS, BUSES AND SOLAR DRIVERS WILLING TO PAY A TOO.

PAST LEADERS WERE NOT BEING HONEST, HE SAYS WHEN THEY CLAIMED EXPANDING FREEWAYS WOULD RELIEVE CONGESTED.

CONGESTION.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE WELL- DOCUMENTED PHENOMENON OF HEIGHTENED DEMAND.

>> EXPANDING FREEWAYS HAVE PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN HERE AND EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD THAT JUST BY A CONTINUING TO EXPAND DOESN'T WORK.

IT IS NOT A SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: CRITICS HAVE BLASTED THE PLAN ON MULTIPLE FRONTS FROM ITS RELATIVELY HIGH COST TO THE NIXING OF THOSE FREEWAY WIDENING'S BUT THE SHARPEST CRITICISM HAS BEEN TARGETED AT THE SO-CALLED ROAD USER CHARGE.

MOTORISTS WOULD PAY TWO CENTS TO SANDAG FUR EVERY MILE THEY DRIVE IN THE COUNTY.

THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL 2030, THE SAME YEAR PUBLIC TRANSIT WOULD BECOME FREE.

HE UNDERSTANDS THE OPPOSITION BUT SAYS THE POLICY IS USEFUL ON TWO FRONTS.

IT RAISES MONEY TO PAY FOUR THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND HELPS SANDAG ACHIEVE TARGETS SET BY THE STATE TO REDUCE DRIVING.

>> TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION IS THE ROLE OF THIS PLAN.

>> Reporter: CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO SUPPORTS MOST OF THE PLAN ESPECIALLY THE RELATIVELY CHEAP AND EASY TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS LIKE RAPID BUS ROUTES.

>> THAT IS LIKELY TO MEAN MORE FREQUENCY, SO PEOPLE CAN GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING FASTER, THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT AS LONG FUR THE BUS AND HOPEFULLY, IT CAN ALSO INCLUDE PROTECTED BUS ONLY FACILITIES TO MAKE SURE THE BUS IS NOT CAUGHT UP IN REGULAR TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY DURING NOW WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR.

>> Reporter: WHERE HE IS SKEPTICAL IS IN SANDAG'S FUNDING STRATEGY.

HE FEARS THE PUSH FOUR EXPENSIVE OURS LIKE COMMUTER RAIL DECADES IN THE FUTURE WILL BE A DISTRACTION FROM THE NEED FOUR SOLUTIONS NOW.

AND IF VOTERS SAY NO TO NEW TAXES THAT WOULD FUND THE PROJECT, HE SAYS SANDAG NEEDS A PLAN B.

>> WE WANT TO BE OPTIMISTIC WITH REVENUE BUT NOT SO OPTIMISTIC THAT WE PLANTED THINGS THAT WE CAN'T HOPE TO BUILD.

>> Reporter: HE LEADERS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LAST WEEK CAME OUT AGAINST THE TWO CENT PER MILE FEE ON DRIVERS.

THAT MEANS EVEN IF THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS APPROVED ON FRIDAY, SANDAG WILL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY HAVE TO START REVISING IT.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS EVENING EDITION NEWS.

>>> RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE HAS GIVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE ACCESS TO DATA THAN EVER BEFORE ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE DO AND WHERE THEY GO.

PRIVACY ADVOCATES SAY CHULA VISTA IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST SURVEILLED CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

AS KPBS EVENING EDITION 'S AMITA SHARMA REPORTS, AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS TRYING TO WIN OVER SKEPTICAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA, SEVEN MILES FROM THE BORDER OF MEXICO HAS AN UNWELCOME DISTINCTION.

>>> PER CAPITA THEY ARE THE MOST OR ONE OF THE MOST SURVEILLED CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THAT IS BRIAN HOOVER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PRIVACY ADVOCACY GROUP, SECURE JUSTICE.

HE SAYS SOME OF THE SURVEILLANCE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU WOULD FIND IN MOST AMERICAN CITIES.

>> YOUR CELL PHONE WHICH IS CONSTANTLY PINGING TOWERS AS YOU MOVE AROUND THE CITY.

REVEALING YOUR LOCATION, TRAVEL PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATIONS.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA'S BORDER TOWN STATUS MEANS THAT TECH EYE SEND EARS OF U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ARE ALSO IN THE MIX.

INK ADVANCED RADAR SYSTEMS AND SURVEILLANCE TOWERS.

HERE IS ACLU ATTORNEY, SHAW DRAKE.

>> BORDER RESIDENTS MAY NEVER KNOW THE PERMISSIONS THAT ESSENTIALLY THE GOVERNMENT IS ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A MAP OF PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS ADDED TWO TIMES IN WHICH THEY ARE CROSSING THE BORDER THEMSELVES BUT ALSO TRAVELING THROUGH BORDER COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: THE CHULA VISTA POLICE DEPARTMENT'S OWN TOOLS AND THERE IS A LOT OF TECH KEEPING WATCH.

THE CITY HAS INVESTED IN LICENSE PLATE READERS, AND LOW FLYING DRONES THAT SERVE AS FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> YOU WILL WATCH IT GO STRAIGHT UP.

>> Reporter: HERE IS CHULA VISTA POLICE CAPTAIN, ERIC PEMBER.

>> IT CAN RELY NOT ON CITY STREETS AND FLY ABOVE US.

IT CAN GIVE US LIFE VIEWS OF WHAT IS OCCURRING TO HELP US PLAN OUR APPROACH SO WE CAN MAKE THE SMARTEST APPROACH SO WE DON'T GO IN THERE AND THE SITUATION ANY WORSE.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA HAS COME UNDER FIRE FUR WHAT IT GATHERS TO POLICE TECHNOLOGY AND HOW IT SHARES THAT DATA.

LAST YEAR, NEWS BROKE THAT CHULA VISTA PD HAD SHARED DATA COLLECTION FROM ITS FOUR AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE LEADERS WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.

>> AND REALLY DID BREAK COMMUNITY TRUST.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, PEDRO SAYS THE DATA SHARING CONTRADICTED CHULA VISTA'S DESIGNATION AS A WELCOMING CITY FOUR IMMIGRANTS AND RAN COUNTER TO STATE LAW.

>> IT SAYS THAT THE RESOURCES FROM LOCAL JURISDICTIONS SHOULD BE USED TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION THAT COULD LEAD TO ARRESTS AND DETENTION AND DEPORTATION.

PORTMAN HE HOPES THE COMMUNITY WILL GIVE THE DEPARTMENT A CHANCE AT REDEMPTION, A PROCESS HE SAYS WILL REQUIRE POLICE TO EMBRACE CRITICISM AND ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH RESIDENTS.

>> WE CAN'T DO OUR JOBS IF THEY DON'T TRUST US.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CHULA VISTA PD STOPPED SHARING DAVE FIPP DATA DIRECTLY WITH ICE AND BORDER CONTROL EARLIER THIS YEAR .

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT ONLY SHOWS LICENSE PLATE DATA FOR SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS WITH CALIFORNIA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

CHULA VISTA MAYOR, MARY SALAS IS DEFENSIVE OR IN HER WORDS, A MAMA BEAR WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE AND TECHNOLOGY.

SHE IS CERTAIN HER CITY'S OFFICERS DON'T MISUSE DATA.

SHE BRISTLES AT THE LABEL, SURVEILLANCE.

SHE SAYS THE DEVICES ARE DEEP VITAL TO THEIR WORK.

SHE SEES THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS UNDERSTAFFED.

>> WE DON'T BY JUST A SHINY OBJECT TO HAVE IT.

EVERYTHING WE ADOPT IS FOR A PURPOSE AND HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY VETTED.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS WORKING ON PLANS TO CREATE AN OVERSIGHT PANEL FUR POLICE USE OF TECHNOLOGY.

RICARDO MEDINA WHO SITS ON THE CITY'S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION WANTED TO IN SHOES INCLUDE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYERS AND TECH EXPERTS.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE A BODY INDEPENDENT THAT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTEGRITY INTERROGATE, TO PROBE, LOOK AT AND PARABLE EVIDENCE, COST- BENEFIT ANALYSIS AND ANECDOTAL DATA AS WELL.

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN SUNDBERG ONE THE IMPORT.

>> WE WILL BE PART OF THAT NBA PLAYER.

BUT ONCE THE BODY IS CREATED NEXT YEAR IS EXPECTED TO HELP DRAFT A PRIVACY POLICY FOUR TECH USE BUT CONCERNS ARE LIKELY TO LINGER BECAUSE CHULA VISTA PD JUST BUILT A REAL-TIME OPERATIONS CENTER WHERE ALL OF THE CITY'S POLICING DATA WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN ONE PLACE.

WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY TOMORROW.

AMITA SHARMA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODROW.

WE EXAMINE THE THREAT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AS PRESIDENT BIDEN HOSTS A GLOBAL DEMOCRACY SUMMIT.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING ADDITION ON KPBS.

>>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING EVENING ADDITION ON KPBS EVENING EDITION.

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, LOCAL NEWS IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND KPBS IS COMMITTED TO DELIVERING LOCAL NEWS IN SAN DIEGO AND THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

EVENING ADDITION ALONG WITH OUR OTHER SERVICES ON RADIO, DIGITAL AND PODCAST IS HOW OUR NEWS TEAM DELIVERS THE NEWS TO YOU.

HOW CAN WE DO IT?

WITH A PASSION FOUR ACCURATE STORYTELLING AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE DO IT WITH YOUR SUPPORT, OUR MEMBERS, OUR VIEWERS.

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