>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, A SONG OF HOPE .

MEET THE LOCAL CHOIR GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION FROM GIVING ON HOUSED PEOPLE A SENSE OF BELONGING.

COVID-19 IS NOT THE ONLY PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS INVESTIGATES WITH FENTANYL OVERDOSES AND A VISION FOR OUR ROADS.

SANDAG OUTLINES A 30 YEAR PLAN AIMED AT REDUCING OUR RELIANCE ON CARS.

>>> WE GO TO THE SOUTH BAY WHERE ONE CITY IS CARVING OUT A REPUTATION FOR EMBRACING SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, WHAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES WITH THAT DATA IS A CONCERN FOR PRIVACY ADVOCATES THAT THE CHULA VISTA IS ONE OF THE MOST SURVEILLED CITIES IN THE U.S. KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER AMITA SHARMA HAS THE STORY.

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

>> ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, THEY ARE PROBABLY THE MOST SURVEILLED CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

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

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

>> YOUR CELL PHONES, CONSTANTLY PINGING TOWERS AS YOU MOVE AROUND THE CITY, AND YOUR LOCATION AND TRAVEL PATTERNS AND ASSOCIATIONS.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA'S TOWN STATUS MEANS THE TECH EYES AND EARS OF U.S. CUSTOMS BORDER PROTECTION FOR ARE IN THE MIX.

THINK ADVANCED RADAR SYSTEMS AND SURVEILLANCE TOWERS.

HERE IS ACLU ATTORNEY SHELDRAKE.. >> BORDER RESIDENTS MAY NOT KNOW , BUT ESSENTIALLY THE GOVERNMENT CAN PUT TOGETHER A MAP OF PEOPLES MOVEMENTS IN TIMES IN WHICH THEY ARE CROSSING THE BORDER ITSELF BUT TRAVELING THROUGH BORDER COMMUNITIES.

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

THE CITY INVESTED IN LICENSE PLATE READERS AND LIFELINE DRONES SERVING AS FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THESE WILL GO STRAIGHT UP.

>> Reporter: HERE IS CHULA VISTA POLICE CAPTAIN ERIN.

>> IT IS NOT RELIANT ON CITY STREETS.

IT CAN GIVES US ESSENTIALLY LIVE VIEW OF WHAT IS OCCURRING TO HELP US PLAN OUR APPROACH SO WE CAN MAKE THE SMARTEST APPROACH SO WE DO NOT GO IN THERE AND MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE.

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

LAST YEAR, NEWS BROKE CHULA VISTA PD SHARED DATA COLLECTED FROM ITS FOUR AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.

>> IT DID BREAK COMMUNITY TRUST.

>> Reporter: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST PEDRO SAYS DATA SHARING CONTRADICTED CHULA VISTA'S DESIGNATION AS A WELCOMING CITY FOR IMMIGRANTS AND RAN COUNTER TO STAY LAST.

>> NESSUS RESOURCES FROM LOCAL JURISDICTIONS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION THAT COULD LEAD OR LEAD TO ARREST AND DEPORTATION'S.

>> Reporter: HE IS HELPING 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 CANNOT DO OUR JOBS IF THEY DON'T TRUST US.

>> Reporter: HE SAID CHULA VISTA PD STOPPED SHARING INFORMATION WITH BORDER PATROL THIS YEAR.

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

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

SHE IS SEARCHING HER CITIES OFFICERS DOES NOT MISS THIS DATA.

SHE BRISTLES AT THE SURVEILLANCE.

SALAS SAYS DEVICES ARE VITAL TO THEIR WORK AND SHE SEES THE DEPARTMENT IS UNDERSTAFFED.. >> WE DO NOT FIND A SHINY OBJECT TO HAVE THAT.

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

>> THE CITY IS WORKING ON PLANS TO CREATE A OVERSIGHT PANEL FOR POLICE USE TECHNOLOGY.

RICARDO MEDINA, WHO SITS ON THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION, WANTS TO INCLUDE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYERS AND TECH EXPERTS.

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

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN BAMBERG ONCE INPUT.

ONES THAT BODY IS CREATED NEXT YEAR, IT IS EXPECTED TO HELP DROP A PRIVACY POLICY FOR TECH USE.

CONCERNS ARE LIKELY TO LINGER BECAUSE CHULA VISTA PD JUST BUILT A REAL-TIME OPERATIONS CENTER WHERE ALL OF THE CITIES POLICING DATA WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN ONE PLACE.

AMITA SHARMA, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THAT IS THE FIRST OF A TWO PART SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORT BY AMITA SHARMA.

YOU CAN READ MORE AND WATCH PART TWO AT KPBS.ORG .

>>> THIS IS A BUSY WEEK FOR DECIDING HOW OUR COMMUNITIES WILL LOOK AND GROW IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

41 PART OF SAN DIEGO, IT IS A LONG TIME COMING.

KPBS RAISING EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM TELLS US ABOUT THE STEP FORWARD FOR BARRIO LOGAN, WHERE NEIGHBORS HOPE THIS WILL BRING SOME ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE .

>> Reporter: LOGAN, THE HEART OF SAN DIEGO'S LATINO AND CHICANO COMMUNITY COULD SOON HAVE A NEW PLAN WHERE HOMES AND BUSINESSES CAN BE BUILT IN THE FUTURE.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PLAN TODAY.

IT HAS BEEN 43 YEARS SINCE THE PLAN WAS LAST UPDATED.

COUNCILMEMBER VIVIAN MORENO, WHO REPRESENTS LOGAN, SAID IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THIS LONG.

>> THE ADOPTION PLAN UPDATE IS A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT.

THE RESIDENTS OF BARRIO LOGAN HAVE LONG DESIRED TO HAVE A MODERN COMMUNITY PLAN.

THE FRUIT OF THEIR LABOR IS BEFORE US TODAY.

>> Reporter: SEGREGATED AND REDLINED IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY ONLY TO HAVE THREE FREEWAYS AND BRIDGES TO THROUGH IT CENTER IN THE 1960S, BARRIO LOGAN HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF ASTHMA IN THE STATE.

FOR LONGTIME ACTIVIST AND RESIDENTS, THE NEW PLAN IS A WAY OF BUILDING A MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE AND ADDRESSING THAT PAST.

NAOMI SANCHEZ GREW UP AND LIVES IN AREA LOGAN.

>> THIS DOES NOT MAKE UP OF INJUSTICE, BUT THAT IS A BETTER STEP FORWARD FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE EXTENSIVE PLAN INCLUDES ZONING 65 ACRE AREA IN THE COMMUNITY.

THIS WOULD CREATE A TRANSITIONAL BUFFER ZONES BETWEEN WHERE PEOPLE LIVE AND HEAVY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES.

IN 2013, AN UPDATED COMMUNITY PLAN WITH THE BUFFER ZONE WAS APPROVED, BUT THEY ARE TIME BUSINESSES FUNDED A REFERENDUM THE NEXT YEAR, WHICH SCRAPPED THE ENTIRE PLAN.

THIS TIME, THE MARITIME INDUSTRY IS ON BOARD.

>> I AM REALLY HAPPY.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WE, IN THE INDUSTRY, HAVE PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT TO ENSURE WE GET TO THIS POINT WHILE THE RESIDENTS ARE PROUD OF WHAT IS THE OUTCOME AND SO ARE WEEK.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CITY'S HISTORY, THE NEW PLAN HAS ANTI-DISPLACEMENT MEASURES INCLUDING REQUIRING 15% AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENTS AND PROVIDING PRIORITY TO NEW HOUSING FOR BARRIO LOGAN RESIDENTS, SOMETHING THAT SANCHEZ, A BARRIO LOGAN RESIDENT, KNOWS WHAT IMPACT HER AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE THE TRANQUILITY OF KNOWING THEY WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO LIVE NEXT MONTH.

>> Reporter: MARK STEELE IS THE CHAIR OF THE BARRIO LOGAN PLANNING GROUP.

HE POINTED CREDITS THE PLAN WITH THE AGREEMENT REACHED JUST LAST YEAR.

>> WHERE WE ARE TODAY IS A RESULT OF A SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION AND SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY AND THE BARRIO LOGAN PLANNING GROUP TO CREATE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THAT OUTLINES ALL OF THE DETAILS THAT WERE ALLOWED AND NOT ALLOWED IN THE TRANSITION.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCIL WILL REVIEW THE PLAN IN JANUARY BEFORE SENDING THAT TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

EVEN STILL, FOR THOSE WORKING FOR YEARS FOR A NEW COMMUNITY PLAN, TODAY'S VOTE IS A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.

CHRISTINA KIM, KPBS NEWS .

>> BARRIO LOGAN IS FAR FROM THE ONLY COMMUNITY DOING WITH GENTRIFICATION.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, CHRISTINA KIM HOSTED A KPBS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON THIS TOPIC WITH VOICES ACROSS SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN STREAM THAT ANYTIME AT THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

TWO ELECTED LEADERS FROM ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY MAKE UP THE REGIONS PLANNING AGENCY KNOWN AS SANDAG.

ON FRIDAY, THEY SUPPORTED TO VOTE A 30 YEAR VISION TO REDUCE SAN DIEGO'S RELIANCE ON CARS TO GET AROUND.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS THE PLAN AND WHY IT HAS BECOME SO CONTROVERSIAL.

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

THAT IS WHERE I MET MARTINEZ,, JUST AS DIRECTOR FOR THE NONPROFIT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION.

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

>> THIS IS TRYING TO UNDO THE HISTORY OF COMMUNITIES LIKE BARRIO LOGAN, AND WE SEE FREQUENCY INCREASES AND THAT SYSTEM 24 HOUR SERVICE, A STUDY TO A BLUE LINE THAT GOES TO THE SOUTH BAY AS WELL AS BATHROOMS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES REALLY KEY IN MAKING THE TRANSIT SYSTEM SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: THE MASTERMIND BEHIND THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS HASSAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 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 FOR, INCLUDING HIGH-SPEED SUBWAY LINES FROM NATIONAL CITY TO SORRENTO VALLEY AND EL CAJON TO HILLCREST.

>> IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO DRIVE TO CERTAIN AREAS, OR IF YOU DECIDE TO OWN ONE CAR INSTEAD OF TWO, THE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE AND FULFILL THAT LIKING FOR YOU NOT HAVING THE SECOND CAR OR HAVING NOT OCCUR AT ALL IN SOME CASES.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE BIGGEST CHANGES COMPARED TO PREVIOUS TRANSPORTATION PLANS IS HOW THIS COUNTRY'S HIGHWAYS.

SANDAG ABANDONED PROJECTS THAT WOULD WIDEN FREEWAYS AND OPTING TO CONVERT EXISTING LANES AND FREEWAY SHOULDERS INTO NEW MANAGED LANES, OPEN TO CARPELS, BUSES AND WILLING TO PAY A TOTAL.

THEY SAY PAST LEADERS WERE NOT BEING HONEST WHEN THEY CLAIMED EXPANDING FREEWAYS WOULD RELIEVE CONGESTION.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE WELL-DOCUMENTED PHENOMENON OF LATENT DEMAND, WHEN THE WIRE FREEWAY ATTRACTS MORE DRIVERS AND CONGESTION RETURNS.

>> IT HAS BEEN PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN.

JUST BY EXPANDING DEMAND KICKING IN DOES NOT WORK.

IT IS NOT THE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: CRITICS HAVE BLASTED THE PLAN ON MULTIPLE FRONTS FROM ITS RELATIVELY HIGH COST TO THE MIXING 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 FOR EVERY MILE THEY DRIVE IN THE COUNTY.

THAT WOULD NOT HAPPEN UNTIL 2030, THE SENIOR PUBLIC TRANSIT WOULD BECOME FREE.

HE UNDERSTANDS THE OPPOSITION THAT SAYS THE POLICY IS USEFUL ON TWO FRONTS AND RAISES MONEY TO PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND HELP SANDAG ACHIEVE TARGETS SET BY THE STATE TO REDUCE DRIVING.

>> THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE STRATEGY IN THIS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION IS THAT.

>> Reporter: CALLING HAS CIRCULATED SAN DIEGO.

HE SUPPORTS MOST OF WHAT IS IN SANDAG'S 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 AND THEY DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT AS LONG FOR THE BUS AND HOPEFULLY, INCLUDE SOME PROTECTED BUS ONLY FACILITIES TO MAKE SURE THE BUS IS NOT CAUGHT UP IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY DURING NOW WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC IN THIS RUSH-HOUR.

>> Reporter: WHERE THEY ARE SPECTACLE IS IN THE FUNDING.

HE FEARS FOR EXPENSIVE PROJECTS LIKE COMMUTER RAIL LINES THAT IN THE FUTURE WILL BE A DISTRACTION FOR THE NEED OF SOLUTIONS NOW.

IS VOTERS SAY NO TO NEW TAXES THAT WOULD FUND THE PROJECTS, HE SAID SANDAG NEEDS A PLAN B.

>> WE WANT TO BE OPTIMISTIC BUT NOT SO OPTIMISTIC THAT WE ARE PLANNING FROM THINGS WE CANNOT HOPE TO BUILD.

>> Reporter: LEADERS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, LAST WEEK, CAME AGAINST A TWO CENT PER MILE SEE ON DRIVERS.

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

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> SPEAKING OF BIG PROJECTS, THE NEW STADIUM GOING UP IN MISSION VALLEY HAS A NAME, SDSU IS CALLING THIS AZTEC STADIUM BUT IT WILL BE KNOWN AS SNAPDRAGON STADIUM.

QUALCOMM IS BEHIND A 15 YEAR $45 MILLION DEAL.

FINAL APPROVAL IS NEEDED FROM THE STATE.

SNAPDRAGON IS THE NAME OF THE SAN DIEGO COMPANIES MOBILE PLATFORM.

THE STADIUM WILL BE READY TO OPEN IN TIME FOR NEXT SUMMER IN TIME FOR NEXT AZTECS FOOTBALL SEASON.

>>> HERE ARE THE MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG AND YOU HAVE SEEN ONE OF THEM.

AMITA SHARMA INVESTIGATION INTO CHULA VISTA'S SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION FROM ONLINE READERS.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT IS A RISING CONCERN FOR CARDONA'S.

TONYA THORNE SHOWS US HOW THAT PLAYS OUT IN NORTH COUNTY AND QUESTIONS OVER JENNIFER CAMPBELL'S STAFF IN THEIR ROLE AFTER THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER LOST HER LEADERSHIP POSITION THIS WEEK.

>>> FENTANYL IS A DEADLY TRIFECTA.

IT IS CHEAP, CAN BE EASILY DISGUISED AS A DIFFERENT DRUG, AND 50 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN HEROIN.

KPBS'S 80s AND SAYS THE NUMBERS SHOW THE CHALLENGE HEALTH OFFICIALS FACE AS FENTANYL OVERDOSES HAVE MORE THAN QUADRUPLED LOCALLY SINCE 2018.

>> THERE IS NO SAFETY NET ON THE STREET.

>> Reporter: SHE SURVIVED HOMELESSNESS AND ADDICTION AND SHE WANTED HER BEST FRIEND, JOSH PALMER, TO SAY THE SAME.

FOR EACH PUSH FROM HER WAS MET WITH AN EMPTY PROMISE.

HE WAS NOT READY TO GET CLEAN.

HER LAST WORDS TO HIM WERE THAT SHE WOULD SEE HIM LATER.

>> THERE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A "SEE YOU LATER."

IT WAS ALWAYS TO BE THAT.

I WILL NOT SEE HIM LATER.

>> Reporter: PALMER DIED OF AN OVERDOSE IN MARCH ON EAGLES JUST OFF THE BUS ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE IN HILLCREST.

DATA FROM THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE SHOWS AT LEAST 446 PEOPLE DIED IN 2020 WITH FENTANYL IN THEIR SYSTEM.

THAT IS FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN IN 2018.

IT IS A PROBLEM NATIONALLY AS WELL.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE DIED OF DRUG OVERDOSE WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT IS 30% MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

NINE MONTHS INTO THE YEAR AND ALREADY MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF FENTANYL IN THEIR SYSTEMS THAN LAST YEAR.

BY THE END OF AUGUST 2021, AT LEAST 534 PEOPLE HAVE DIED WITH FENTANYL IN THEIR SYSTEM, EVEN MORE ARE EXPECTED TO DIE BY YEARS END SAYS DR. LUCA BERGMAN.

IS THE DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR.

>> IT IS HARD TO SAY WHEN THE CURVE WILL TURN.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE INCREASES.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL SUPPLY, PARTICULARLY WITH FENTANYL BECAUSE IT IS SO STRONG AND IT IS ODORLESS AND COLORLESS AND VERY EASY TO TRANSPORT AS A NARCOTIC, AND IT IS EASY TO HIDE IN OTHER SUBSTANCES BECAUSE OF THAT.

IT IS A CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: THESE DEATHS ARE MOSTLY AVOIDABLE BECAUSE THE ANTIDOTE, NO OXEN, IS EASY TO ACCESS.

MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE DRUG, AND STIGMAS ABOUT ADDICTION, PREVENT PEOPLE FROM HELPING SOMEONE OVERDOSING.

SO SAYS DR. RYAN MARINO, A CLEVELAND-BASED ADDICTION MEDICAL SPECIALIST.

>> PEOPLE DO NOT DESERVE TO SUFFER OR DIE JUST BECAUSE THEY USE DRUGS.

TO ME, THIS IS MORE STIGMA THAT HURTS PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND ADDICTION AND PEOPLE THAT CASUALLY USE DRUGS AND PREVENTS THEM FROM GETTING APPROPRIATE TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: MISINFORMATION CAN IMPACT THE LOVED ONES OF FENTANYL OVERDOSES.

DIANE HOTCHKISS LOST HER HUSBAND, GARY, TO A $15.00 HIT OF FENTANYL IN 2015.

SHE SAYS THE MAN SHE KNEW WAS ALREADY GONE WHEN HE DIED.

>> I REALIZED HE WAS TOO FAR GONE.

HIS PERSONALITY WAS GONE.

>> Reporter: WHEN HIS PERSONALITY OVERDOSE, SHE REMEMBERED CALLING 911 HOPING PARAMEDICS COULD HELP.. >> THEY WERE THE ONES WHO LET ME KNOW LIKE, HEY, YOU HAVE A 1- YEAR-OLD AND IF HE TOUCHES THAT, HE WILL DIE INSTANTLY.

>> Reporter: HE AND DOMINIC LEFT THE DAY HE DIED AND NEVER RETURNED.

MARINA SAID THE TEAM DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT INFORMATION.

>> ANY DRUGS CAN BE PROBLEMATIC , BUT THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL GET INTO YOUR BODY UNLESS YOU ARE INJECTING OR SNORTING IT.

IT DOES NOT JUST CROSS THROUGH THE SKIN ARE GETTING INTO THE AIR.

>> Reporter: SENT THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TOOK OVER THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, BERGMAN WITH THE COUNTY SAYS THEY HAVE SHIFTED TREATMENT METHODS TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF HARM FOR DRUG USERS.

THAT CAN INCLUDE NO OXEN, CLEAN TOOLS TO INJECT WITH, PRIMARY CARE, SHELTER AND SHOWERS.

>> THE SPIRIT OF THAT IS GETTING PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY WANT, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT IN A PARTICULAR MOMENT ABLE TO COMMIT TO A TRAJECTORY TOWARDS ABSTINENCE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY CREATED COMMUNITY HARM REDUCTION TEAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND PLAN TO EXPAND THEM COUNTYWIDE.. >> WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING ACCESS TO THE FORMAL CLINICAL CARE AND WE DID OVER THE LONG HAUL THAT REDUCES LIKELIHOOD OF OVERDOSES AND OTHER HARMS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE AND MISUSE.

>> Reporter: THE CHANGES CAME TOO LATE FOR PEOPLE LIKE JOSH PALMER AND THE HOTCHKISS FAMILY.

WHETHER THEY MAKE A DENT IN THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSES REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

KATIE SPIEGEL, KPBS NEWS .

>> AN ONLINE SUMMIT WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 16th TO ADDRESS THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL FOR LOCAL, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

IT IS CALLED SD NEEDS TO KNOW.

THAT IS ORGANIZED BY THE DAS OFFICE AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COUNTY SUPERVISORS .

>>> I AM JOHN BECKER.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING EVENING ADDITION ON KPBS.

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 FOR ACCURATE STORYTELLING, AND A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM.

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

IF YOU HAVE DONATED ALREADY TO KPBS, THEN WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO DONATE, NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SHOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATE THE NEWS WE DELIVER.

PLEASE GO ONLINE AND CHOOSE A LEVEL, PICK A GIFT AT KPBS.ORG, OR CALL OR TEXT DONATE AT 1-800-576-5727 AND THANK YOU .

>>> YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN THEM ON AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, VOICES OF OUR CITY IS A CHOIR DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A SENSE OF PURPOSE AND BELONGING TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.

KATIE ALVARADO TELLS US SOME OF THE LIVES THIS GROUP HAS TOUCHED .

>> I WILL INVITE YOU UP TO SEEING.

>> Reporter: YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW BUT IF YOU LOOK BE ON THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE STREET IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, YOU WILL FIND A LITTLE CORNER SPACE FILLED WITH LOVE AND MUSIC.

>> WHEN I WALKED INTO THE CHOIR, FIRST OF ALL, I THOUGHT ACCEPTED AND LOVED.

I FELT LOVED.

>> Reporter: AN RANDY AND I CAME UP BY CHANCE BY YEARS AGO WHEN SHE WAS LIVING ON THE STREET AND DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CHARGE HER PHONE.

>> SOMEBODY PUT THEIR ARM AROUND ME AND KIND OF LET ME IN HERE, AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE WAS A CHOIR LIKE WHAT IS THIS?

THEY ARE LIKE IT IS A CHOIR.

I WAS LIKE HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?

THEY SAID HAVE A SEAT.

>> Reporter: THAT DAY, SHE BECAME A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR.

THAT IS A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH ONE THING IN COMMON, HOMELESSNESS.

EVERYBODY IN THE CHOIR WAS OR IS HOMELESSNESS.

SHE SAYS SHE FELT FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A SHELTER NOW AND GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS MUSICAL FAMILY.

>> I ALWAYS WISHED I HAD THIS LOVE LIKE OTHER FAMILIES DO, AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL I FOUND THE CHOIR.

IT'S INSANE.

THIS IS WHEN I LEARNED THAT I AM WORTHY OF LOVE AS WELL.

I AM IMPORTANT, TOO.

I DID NOT USED TO FEEL THAT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS EXACTLY WHY STEPH JOHNSON, THE COFOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF "VOICES OF OUR CITY" STARTED THIS CHOIR.

SHE SAID SHE SEES THINGS HAPPEN THROUGH MUSIC.

>> WHEN YOU CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME INDIVIDUALS, MAGIC HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: THAT MAGIC HAS TAKEN THEM TO UNEXPECTED PLACES.

>> WHEN WE STARTED THE CHOIR ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, WE WANTED TO BRING THIS MUSIC AND GOOD FOOD AND GOOD MUSIC AND A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE, JUST WANTING TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY, NEVER KNOWING WE WOULD BECOME A IN DEMAND PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE.

WE NEVER KNOW WE WOULD BE ON AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, OR THAT WE WOULD START A PUBLISHING COMPANY THAT WE ARE WRITING OUR OWN SONS AND WE HAVE OUR OWN STUDIO.

WE NEVER KNEW WE WOULD BECOME THIS VEHICLE OR CATALYST FOR CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THROUGH THEIR PERFORMANCES, THE NONPROFIT RAISES MONEY THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES AND SUPPORT.

KIA, WHO WAS HOMELESS AS A CHILD, SAYS THAT HELPED, PLUS THE MUSIC DO MORE THAN NOURISH THE BODY, THEY HEAL THE SOUL.

>> WHEN YOU ARE HERE, YOU ARE ACCEPTED AND YOU ARE HOLE AND YOU ARE LOVED AND YOU ARE WANTING TO SING AND YOU GET THE RESOURCES TO EAT.

YOU GET THE RESOURCES TO SLEEP AND YOU GET THE RESOURCES TO BE AUTHENTICALLY.

>> WE HAVE HELPED THROUGH OUR CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, WE HAVE HELPED INTO HOUSING, BUT THAT IS A PIECE OF THAT BUT A PERSON HAS TO FEEL SEEN AND HEARD AND BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY AND BE THEMSELVES AGAIN.

WHAT YOU JUST SAW, AND WHAT HAPPENS EVERY WEEK THAT WE COME TOGETHER TO SING, IS EVERYBODY'S VOICE IS HEARD.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY LEAVE, THEY TAKE A LITTLE OF THAT MAGIC WITH THEM.

>> TO NAVIGATE SOME HEAVY, UGLY THING THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH, BUT THEY HAVE HOPE AND JOY IN THEIR STEPS.

>> IT IS LIKE ONCE YOU FEEL IT, YOU CANNOT UN-FEEL THAT AND YOU COME BACK BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FEEL GOOD AND COMPLETE.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN EXPERIENCE SOME OF THAT MAGIC TOO BY ATTENDING THEIR FUNDRAISER AND CONCERT, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, ON DECEMBER 5th.

WRITER SAYS ON THIS NIGHT NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, OR WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, EVERYBODY BELONGS TO EACH OTHER.

>> THE MOMENT YOU HEAR, RUDOLPH, THE RED NOSE REINDEER, AND YOUR FACE LIGHTS UP.

EVERYBODY OF ALL AGES GETS HAPPY AND YOU CAN SEE THE ANIMALS HAPPY AND THE KIDS ARE HAPPY AND YOU FORGET WHO YOU ARE IN YOUR STORY AND YOU GET LOST IN THE MUSIC.

I THINK THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THAT BECAUSE IT BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER AND BRINGS THE ONENESS AND THE LOVE FOR MAGIC.

>> Reporter: IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS .

>> THAT HOLIDAY CONCERT CAN BE WATCHED AT THE VOICES OF OUR CITY YOUTUBE PAGE.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

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