Beach safety, fires, floods, and public order fall across several teams—lifeguards on the sand, firefighters across the bay, and police on streets and events. When tourism peaks or storms hit, their work shows up in response times, rescues, and prevention.
Risk changes by season. Heat and surf set the tone for swimmers; dry hills bring brush fires; rainy months push rivers and low spots toward flooding. Festivals and parades add crowd management and traffic control to the day’s load.
Clear information saves time. Flag colors on the beach, burn bans, shelter notices, and road closures help residents and visitors make better choices before a call is ever placed.
Our coverage tracks alerts, staffing and gear, training and drills, investigations after major incidents, and the policies that shape safety across neighborhoods.