Carlsbad Police Given More Authority At Train Stations

From the City of Carlsbad:

November 26, 2019

The City of Carlsbad and North County Transit District have agreed to authorize Carlsbad police officers to enforce transit district ordinances at the district’s two train stations located in the city, filling an enforcement gap.

The North County Transit District operates the Carlsbad Village and Poinsettia train stations in Carlsbad, and because NCTD is itself a public agency it has authority to enforce its ordinances on its property. NCTD has given authority to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and its own contracted security to enforce those ordinances.

Carlsbad police officers have the power to enforce most laws at the train stations, such as violations of the state Penal Code, Vehicle Code and other laws, but they have not had authority to enforce transit district ordinances, which cover illegal parking, vehicle obstructions and other issues.

With the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the city and NCTD, Carlsbad Police will now have authority to address parking and vehicle obstruction issues at the train stations, to correct them in a timelier manner.

The agreement does not require Carlsbad police officers to respond, but gives them discretion to do so. The agreement also does not reduce the authority of the Sheriff’s Department to respond to calls at the train stations.

The Carlsbad City Council approved the memorandum of understanding on Nov. 19.

This press release was produced by the City of Carlsbad. The views expressed here are the author’s own.