Encinitas deputies increase foot patrols and speeding and DUI enforcement

People who think they’ve been seeing sheriff’s deputies much more frequently in Encinitas during the past year are correct.

The deputies, who provide the city’s policing services under an annual contract, engaged in 36,161 officer-initiated activities — actions they did on their own initiative, rather than responding to calls — last year in Encinitas.

That’s a 50-percent increase over the 2024 figure, which itself was a 35-percent increase over the 2023 figure.

This is part of a calculated strategy by Capt. Shane Watts, who currently commands the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station. Watts, who took over leadership of the station a year and a half ago, told the Encinitas City Council on Wednesday that he has been prioritizing “deputy-initiated actions” — going on extra foot patrols, doing regular sobriety checks of drivers, and writing tickets for speeding or violating parking regulations — because the regular, visible presence of deputies on the streets can deter criminal activity.

He’s already seeing a difference, Watts added, citing recent drops in crimes against persons and property.

Assault incidents decreased by 17 percent last year, compared to 2024, while thefts and other crimes against property dropped by 25 percent, he said. Vehicle theft, in particular, was down 40 percent.

It appears that people who might engage fights, vandalism or theft are noticing the more frequent presence of deputies on Encinitas streets, “and they’re ...