Latest News

San Diego police spent more than $50M on overtime in 2023: Auditor's report

A city auditor’s report found the department spent over $50 million on overtime pay to combat staffing shortages.  Click here for story. 

San Diego police officer and mother of 2 fighting colon cancer

Ruby Bock was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer three years ago at the age of 42, after she experienced a debilitating stomachache one day  Click here for story. 

San Diego police investigate robbery, shooting at smoke shop in Pacific Beach

As the suspect was leaving in a vehicle, the suspect reportedly fired a shot at the business owner, and the bullet hit the building, according to the San Diego Police Department. Click here for article. 

Push for permanent tribute to fallen SDPD officers in South Park nearly 40 years later

Officers Kim Tonahill and Timothy Ruopp were killed in the line of duty at Grape Street Park, Officer Gary Mitrovich survived his injuriesClick here for full story. 

‘It doesn’t feel like home anymore’: Two dead after shooting at Grantville complex filled with SDSU students

Two residents said they’ve repeatedly struggled to keep outsiders from wandering into the new buildings. Click here for full article. 

San Diego's Public Safety Committee approves SDPD, SDFD use of drone technology

Unmanned aircraft systems, also referred to as UAS systems or drones, have been used by city of San Diego first responders for years. Click here for article. 

SDPD officer, Marine recounts rescuing 6 people, 4 dogs during January flooding

Members of the San Diego Police Department saved an estimated 60 people and five dogs on Jan. 22 alone, according to Capt. Julie Epperson. Click here for article. 

Opinion: Meet Valerie Summers, candidate for San Diego Superior Court judge, Office 43

Click here for article. 

SDPD’s surveillance network is online, and police say it’s already helping crack cases

  Click here for full article.  

San Diego Police redeploy secret weapon: A 'Low Rider' named The Guardian

New California state law that allows 'Low Rider Cruising' means more public appearances for The Guardian.  Click here for full story.

SDPD sergeant shares story after being shot in head

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego Police Sergeant Anthony Elliott, who was shot in the head by a suspect in 4S Ranch two months ago Wednesday, spoke one-on-one to FOX 5/KUSI.   Click here for article. 

SDPD sergeant who was shot in head discusses remarkable recovery with NBC 7

Click here for story. 

Fundraiser at Chicken Charlie’s to benefit SDPD sergeant shot in the head

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego police sergeant shot in the head in the line of duty during a December 2023 shootout is still recovering from his injuries, and the San Diego Police Officers Association has partnered with Chicken Charlie’s to hold a fundraiser to help support him and his family.   Click here for article. 

San Diego police officer awarded Purple Heart for shielding fellow Marine during Iraq War

Francisco Roman Jr. was wounded by an improvised explosive device in the spring of 2005 while leading Marines in a quick-reaction force to support another squad during a firefight in Iraq's western Anbar province. click here for article. 

San Diego community, volunteers, city crews work together to clean Southcrest

In the Southcrest neighborhood, the blocks closest to Chollas Creek had piles of couches, chairs, books and clothes, all covered in mud and grime, waiting to be taken away click here for article. 

Fact Check: Did the Mayor Really Turn the Tide on Police Jumping Ship?

Mayor Todd Gloria declared that officers are choosing to work for the San Diego Police Department over other agencies. This would be a significant shift, so we decided to vet the claim.     click here for article. 

How, and when, should San Diego pay off its $3.4B pension debt? As budget woes loom, officials are weighing these options

The city’s pension board will consider seven alternative scenarios Friday, with the annual pension payment rising to an all-time high of $527 million this year. Click here for article.   

Michael Smolens: Todd Gloria and the new Democratic law-and-order party

Mayor Gloria, Gov. Newsom and other California Democrats push anti-crime policies at start of election year. Click here for article. 

San Diego’s Chief Operating Officer projects 171.9 million deficit for city in 2025 fiscal year

SAN DIEGO — San Diego's chief operating officer has ordered all city departments to "submit operational efficiencies totaling two percent" of each department's budget as the city faces a projected shortfall of $171.9 million for this coming fiscal year — a number that is expected to grow throughout the next five years.  Click here for article.   

What guns are seized most by San Diego Police?

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Police Captain Laura McLean opens up a locked door in a subterranean room deep inside of police headquarters.  Click here for story.  

Police Awarded Grant for Bike and Pedestrian Safety Program

The San Diego Police Department has received a $240,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. Click here for full article. 

SDPD Chief Nisleit discusses 4S Ranch shooting, robbery spree & more

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San Diego police sergeant who was shot in 4S Ranch gets a special hospital visit

click here for story

String of armed robberies under investigation by SDPD

The San Diego Police are investigating a string of armed robberies across the city that happened Tuesday night.  Click here for full article. 

San Diego Police officer shot by suspect in 4S Ranch identified

Sergeant Anthony Elliott, a six-year member of the San Diego Police Department, was shot in the head on Dec. 7 during a shootout with a suspect at the 4S Commons Town Center parking lot in 4S Ranch. Click here for full article. 

2 San Diego Police officers hit by car during Emerald Hills pursuit

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Two San Diego Police officers were hospitalized after they were run over by a car in the Emerald Hills neighborhood early Monday morning. Click here for full story. 

Man Stabbed Near North Park Community Park

SAN DIEGO (CNS) — A 44-year-old man was stabbed in the lower right side of his leg with a knife after a verbal argument broke out between two men today. Click here for article. 

SDPD Lt. Charles Lara, Sgt. Nicholas Nguyen Appointed to State Panels

Click here for full article. 

San Diego Police Apprehend Felon with Ghost Guns & Drugs

Recently in San Diego, the police department's Special Operations Unit (SOU) and Ghost Gun Apprehension Team (GAT) collaborated to apprehend a felon. As reported by the San Diego Police Department, their combined efforts led to the arrest of a man with un-serialized firearms, known as ghost guns, and various illegal drugs within a home where young children were living. Click here for full article. 

San Diego County sees string of shootings injuring teenagers

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) — Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating several incidents after a string of recent shootings injured teenagers throughout the county. Click here for full article. 

Aspiring female police officers role play as San Diego expo recruits women to the department

Dozens of women who showed up for a San Diego Police Department recruitment event got a chance to participate in a simulated traffic stop and learn how to negotiate with a barricaded suspect or someone threatening suicide.   Click here for full story. 

Multiple violent incidents in San Diego County over Halloween weekend

Halloween weekend in San Diego was filled with violence that left teenagers dead, several others wounded and prompted a lockdown at a South Bay mall. Click here for full article. 

Woman dead, police dog stabbed as San Diego SWAT standoff comes to a close

A 28-yeard-old man stabbed a woman to death in a San Diego motel room and later stabbed a police dog after refusing to surrender to police, authorities said Saturday. Click here for full article.   

Gun threats against San Diego officers hit five-year high

Department officials say officers have been threatened with guns, shot at or shot in eight incidents this year; that’s more than the previous two years combined... Click here for the full story.

Opinion: Progressive-Led Police Budget Cuts in LA Should Serve as Warning to San Diego

Welcome to the new California — or as some call it CRIMEafornia — where criminals are emboldened and a sense of lawlessness prevails. This cultural shift can be traced back to recent progressive reforms such as the “defund the police” movement and measures to decriminalize numerous crimes and allow for early release from prison... Click here for the full story.

Violent weekend at popular San Diego nightlife spots

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — It was a violent Labor Day weekend at popular nightlife locations in San Diego. San Diego Police are investigating a shooting, a fight that left several injured, and a stabbing. So far, they've made several arrests in connection with two of the incidents. Click here for the full story.

80-year-old man stabbed multiple times while jogging in Bay Park area

An 80-year-old veteran was rushed to a hospital after being stabbed multiple times while out on a pre-dawn run on Saturday morning in the Bay Park neighborhood of San Diego. Click here for the full story.

San Diego police looking for more Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol members

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SDPD K9 comforts victims being interviewed by Child Abuse Unit

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San Diego law enforcement launches fundraiser for displaced Maui officers

SAN DIEGO — Following the aftermath of the deadly wildfires in Maui, San Diego law enforcement agencies are helping victims of the blaze, including county police officers who lost their homes.Click here for full article. 

San Diego rallies to support Maui after devastating wildfires

SAN DIEGO — San Diegans are rushing to support Maui after devastating wildfires destroyed homes and displaced residents on the island. Click here for full story.   

Man fatally stabbed in Mira Mesa park; 17-year-old suspect arrested

SAN DIEGO — Police are investigating after a man was found fatally stabbed in a Mira Mesa park Friday night, authorities announced. Click here for full article.

Fatal shooting of San Diego police dog highlights risks of the job

SAN DIEGO —  When a San Diego police dog was killed last week by a gunman during a confrontation with officers at Mesa College, the department lost one of its own. click here for full story. 

SDPD: How 'Smart Streetlight' surveillance technology would be used

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KGTV) — After a Public Safety Committee vote last week, the city of San Diego is one step closer to bringing back a controversial video surveillance program that uses ‘Smart Streetlight’ technology. Click here for article. 

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of 29-year-old man in Chollas Creek area

The shooting was reported just before 4:30 p.m. in the area of 54th Street and Chollas Parkway; police said the victim has been identified but they won’t release his name until his relatives are toldClick here for article. 

Security guard shot during argument in East Village

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A security guard was shot after an argument in the East Village Sunday morning. Click here for full article. 

City’s Public Safety Committee votes to support San Diego Police Department’s smart streetlight proposal

The city’s Public Safety Committee voted to support the San Diego Police Department’s smart streetlight proposal on Wednesday, bringing the divisive tech one step closer to installation. Click here for full article. 

San Diego Unified Police Time Fraud Allegations

Click here for full article. 

Sword-Wielding Man Attacks, Injures Woman at Park in City Heights

A woman was seriously injured in the head early Tuesday morning when she was attacked in a City Heights park by a man wielding a sword, police said. Click here for full article. 

Leading with Pride: San Diego police officer changing hearts and saving minds, one recruit at a time

 Click here for full article. 

MADD Honors SD Top Prosecutors, Cops, Advocates at Annual Recognition Awards

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Suspect in San Diego’s Central Library shooting pleads not guilty

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A man who allegedly shot two men in front of San Diego Central Library, killing one of them, pleaded not guilty today to murder and attempted murder charges. Click here for full article. 

A ‘major step forward’: City Council appoints 25 members to new San Diego police oversight commission

SAN DIEGO —  Two and a half years after voters in San Diego approved a new police oversight commission, the City Council on Monday appointed 25 community members to carry out the work. Click here for full article.   

San Diego Police Officers Association hosts 31st annual Peace Officer of the Year awards ceremony

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA) will host its 31st Annual Peace Officer of the Year Awards Ceremony on Friday, June 23, 2023, in the Bayview Ballroom at the InterContinental San Diego. Each year, the SDPOA hosts this event to honor the exceptional law enforcement professionals that represent agencies throughout San Diego County. In addition to our award winners, local dignitaries and many of the region’s top law enforcement officials are also in attendance. T...

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Registrar of Voters Takes Action Against Monica Montgomery Steppe Following SDPOA Complaint

The San Diego Police Officers Association filed a complaint against Monica Montgomery Steppe for falsely claiming to have “reduced homicides by 50%” – homicides increased by 450% in her first year in office. The Registrar of Voters removed the statement following an independent review and in accordance with state law requiring truthful and honest statements in official ballot materials. Click the link below for the full press release.  Registrar_of_Voters_-_Monica_Montgomery_Steppe_Complain...

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1 dead, another injured in shooting at Liberty Station Juneteenth concert

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The San Diego Police Department says one person has died in a shooting at a Juneteenth concert in a Liberty Station park Saturday evening. Click here for full article. 

SWAT standoff ends in Pacific Beach after several hours

SWAT teams gathered on the 1400 block of Grand Avenue near Gresham Street Monday morning before the suspect came out and surrendered to police.  Click here for full article.   

Arrest made in stabbing death of 65-year-old woman at City Heights park

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – A suspect has been arrested following the deadly stabbing of a 65-year-old woman at a City Heights park. Click here for full article. 

MADD Honors SD Top Prosecutors, Cops, Advocates at Annual Recognition Awards

MADD San Diego honors prosecutors, victims advocates, police officers and deputies each year.  Click here for full article. 

San Diego City Council set to vote on homeless encampment ban

Former San Diego Mayor and SDPD Chief said the plan doesn’t include nearly enough immediate shelter spaces.   Click here for full article.      

Drug use, suicides, thefts, now a fatal shooting: Data show years of problems at downtown San Diego library

Since May 2018, more than 1,800 police calls — about disturbances, drug overdoses, thefts, assaults and concealed weapons — have been logged at the San Diego Central Library Click here for full story.  

Suspect in San Diego’s Central Library shooting pleads not guilty

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A man who allegedly shot two men in front of San Diego Central Library, killing one of them, pleaded not guilty today to murder and attempted murder charges. Click here for full story. 

Dozens of ghost guns seized in San Diego County over 3-month period

SAN DIEGO — A three-month campaign to reduce violent crime in San Diego County has led law enforcement to seize a plethora firearms. Click here for full story. 

San Diego police against proposed AB 742; would restrict the use of K-9s

Assembly Bill 742 would limit the use of police dogs for arrests, apprehensions, and crowd control across California.  Click here for full story. 

Column: Police staffing shortage demands innovative approach

In recent years ‘reimagining’ policing was focused on social justice. Now a rethinking may be needed to help strained departments regain their footing. Click here for full story. 

San Diego locals give up on calling police on homeless

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – In the month of April, over 1,000 people were considered homeless for the first time on the streets of San Diego while just ~700 found housing. The residents of Downtown have largely given up on enlisting police assistance to deal with the crisis when it makes it’s way to their front steps, or into their businesses, say locals. Click here for full story. 

Growing San Diego police officer vacancies prompt chief, union to call for new recruiting campaign

SAN DIEGO - San Diego's worsening rash of police officer vacancies is prompting calls for the city to spend 10 times as much money on recruitment as Mayor Todd Gloria proposed in his budget for the new fiscal year. Click here for the full story.

CBS8 - Is Vision Zero working? Pedestrian and bicycle deaths spike despite San Diego's efforts to zero them out

Last year 32 pedestrians and cyclists died on San Diego streets and sidewalks. From January through April of this year, nine pedestrians have been killed. Click here for the full story.

NBC 7: SDPD Asking Officers to Return

Amid a widespread staffing shortage, letters were reportedly sent by the Department’s Backgrounds and Recruiting Division advertising incentives to former officers. Click here for the full story.

Voice of San Diego: SDPD Stop have fallen dramatically

Data shows that stops have plummeted by nearly half – down from 187,251 in 2019 to 96,119 in 2022. Police leaders say there are many reasons for the massive drop. Click here for the full story.

SD UT: Police Overtime Budgets

Click here for the full story.

SD UT: Crime Stats Story

SAN DIEGO —   Crimes across San Diego, including homicides, rapes, and thefts, fell by about 7.5 percent in 2022, but violent crime, largely fueled by a jump in robberies, still inched up, city figures show. Click here for the full story.

Fox 5: Traffic deaths on the rise

SAN DIEGO — The union representing San Diego police officers is sounding the alarm over the increase in traffic deaths despite the City’s Vision Zero campaign to get traffic deaths down to zero. Click here for the full story.

CBS 8: PERK wins Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit

SAN DIEGO — A group challenged the City of San Diego's COVID-19 vaccine mandate in court and declared victory after the city settled the lawsuit and rescinded the mandate. Click here for the full story.

KUSI: SDPOA Widows and Orphans Fund

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – on Thursday the 14th Annual Widows and Orphans Fund Charity Golf Tournament will tee off in Del Mar. Money goes to supporting local first responders and their families. Click here for the full story.

SDPD Staffing Crisis Expected to Continue for Years

San Diego police are staring down a staffing crisis that’s fueling surging response times and overtime spending – and the problem appears unlikely to improve anytime soon. Click here for the full story

Opinion: As former San Diego police chief, I believe cops are part of the solution to homelessness

How did San Diego’s homeless situation get so bad so fast? There are many reasons, but at least one was sadly predictable. Todd Gloria ran for mayor in 2020 on a platform of deemphasizing much-needed homeless shelters, saying that police were criminalizing homelessness, and that he as mayor would take a different approach. Gloria did take a different approach — and the homeless situation has significantly worsened. Click here for the full story

San Diego Police Officer Staffing Impacting Emergency Response Times

NBC 7’s Melissa Adan takes a deeper look at SDPD’s staffing shortage, the challenges the department faces when recruiting and retaining officers and how it all impacts its ability to respond to calls. Click here for the full story

SDSU study suggests police change how they enforce laws in homeless camps

The San Diego Police Officers Association responded to accusations of racism when dealing with the homeless population. Click here for the full story

Staffing issues result in SDPD increased response times

San Diego Police Department is short nearly 200 officers. The number of officers currently on the force is currently at levels not seen since 1988. Click here for the full story

SDPD cites staff shortages and violent crime for increased overtime

Citing an increase in violent crime and staffing shortages, the San Diego Police Department will exceed its overtime budget by an estimated $9.2 million by the end of the fiscal year, it was announced today. Click here for the full story

Staffing shortages and rise in crime keeping SDPD overworked, overbudget

The San Diego Police Department is facing new problems. The budget for overtime pay is set to be exceeded by millions. There’s been an uptick in violent crime and police patrols are being stretched thin. Click here for the full story

SDPD Staffing Crisis Expected to Continue for Years

San Diego has been trying to address police understaffing for years, but city budget analysts now say it will need to use overtime to plug staffing shortages for four to five years, at least. San Diego police are staring down a staffing crisis that’s fueling surging response times and overtime spending – and the problem appears unlikely to improve anytime soon. Click here for the full story

Man arrested, accused of shooting at San Diego Police helicopter

A 49-year-old man who allegedly shot at a police helicopter in Rolando and made a threatening phone call to the San Diego Police Department was arrested, authorities said Friday. Click here for the full story

SDSU study suggests police change how they enforce laws in homeless camps

The San Diego Police Officers Association responded to accusations of racism when dealing with the homeless population. A study presented to San Diego City Council on Tuesday raised questions about officers enforcing laws in homeless camps because of potential biases. Click here for the full story

Staffing shortages and rise in crime keeping SDPD overworked, overbudget

The San Diego Police Department is facing new problems. The budget for overtime pay is set to be exceeded by millions. There’s been an uptick in violent crime and police patrols are being stretched thin. Click here for the full story

SDPD cites staff shortages and violent crime for increased overtime

Citing an increase in violent crime and staffing shortages, the San Diego Police Department will exceed its overtime budget by an estimated $9.2 million by the end of the fiscal year, it was announced today. Click here for the full story

Clairemont community hosts 'Take Back the Park' event after park shooting

Raw emotions turned into action in Clairemont on Sunday, after a shooting at a neighborhood park a week ago. Click here for the full story

San Diego Police struggle with low enrollment

San Diego Police staffing levels have dwindled. Uniformed officers are at their lowest levels in 17 years. Click here for the full story

San Diego Police Response Times Have Gone Up Drastically

The time it’s taking San Diego police to respond to crimes including robberies, active domestic violence incidents and assaults is soaring. Click here for the full story

New California law allows non-U.S. Citizens to become police officers

With the new year, comes new state laws, including one that changed the qualifications to become a police officer in California. Now, anyone who can legally work in the state under federal law, can be a police officer, regardless of citizenship. CBS 8 cleared up some misconceptions about the new law by going directly to the State Senator who wrote the bill, and we talked with the San Diego Police Officers Association about their concerns. Read full article here

San Diego Taxpayers Shelled Out More than $12 Million on Shuttered Police Gun Range

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The tab for taxpayers for the San Diego Police Department’s gun range continues to grow seven months after the site was shut down over lead exposure concerns. An NBC 7 Investigates analysis of the spending puts the total at more than $12 million, and the tab is still running. In 2019, the city embarked on a multi-million-dollar renovation of the outdoor range, spending $11.6 million so far. During that renovation, city officials opted not to install a $184,000 dust collection unit as part of a n...

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District attorney clears officers, deputies in 10 San Diego County shootings

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The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that it completed its review of 10 recent law enforcement shootings — seven of them fatal — and that the actions of the officers and deputies involved were legally justified.The shootings happened between 2020 and 2022 and involved 18 law enforcement officers from four local agencies: the county Sheriff’s Department, and the San Diego, Escondido and National City police departments. The shooting happened during investigations of cr...

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Man Suspected of Shooting SDPD Officer in Custody After Car Chase, Mountain View SWAT Standoff

A SWAT standoff ended Monday morning with a man accused of shooting a police officer in custody, authorities said. The incident began sometime before 12:30 a.m. Monday when the San Diego Police Department started following a vehicle that was reported stolen, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSO). After a lengthy chase, the driver ditched the vehicle near the intersection of 45th Street and Logan Avenue in the Mountain View neighborhood, where the driver then opened fire o...

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San Diego surveillance ordinance aims to strike balance between public safety and personal privacy

SAN DIEGO — When the city of San Diego installed more than 3,000 "smart street lights" back in 2016, equipped with cameras capturing video in real-time, their original purpose was far different than what it eventually became, leading to a contentious battle between public safety and civil liberties. Read Full Article

Maienschein finds funding to support Internet Crimes Against Children task force

Assemblymember Brian Maienschein recently secured $1 million from the state budget for the San Diego Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Over the past two years, the task force has seen an increase in child exploitation with a record 8,161 cases processed in just 2021 alone. With the rise in internet crimes, Maienschein said the rise in internet crimes demonstrates the need for additional resources to help the ICAC task continue protecting children in the regi...

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Violent crime increases around San Diego State University

For College Area residents it has become routine; to wake up on a weekend morning to text messages from neighbors listing the violent crimes that happened around SDSU the night before.  Since the beginning of October, those text messages included, two reported rapes, three sex crimes, two shootings, 12 assaults, five home burglaries, five reports of drunk in public, and 14 car thefts, all within a mile of San Diego State University. Read Full Article  

SDPD office allows officers to write reports, take breaks. Police hope it will improve response times

The San Diego Union Tribute Article

Data shows racial disparities among victims of violent crime

SAN DIEGO —  Guns were the most used weapon in homicides in San Diego County last year, the assailant usually knew the victim, and arguments were the most common motive in the killings, newly released research found. Released Tuesday, the data review by the Criminal Justice Clearinghouse looked at victims and suspects in violent and property crimes in the region in 2021. Clearinghouse is part of the San Diego Association of Governments. San Diego Union Tribute Article

2 Men Suffering from Fentanyl Overdoses Revived After Flagging Down Officers

Times of San Diego Two men suffering from fentanyl overdoses early Friday in the East Village flagged down San Diego police officers, who helped administer life-saving care. The men fell unconscious in the 200 block of 16th Street at about 7:15 a.m. and officers gave them Narcan as they lay on the sidewalk... Read full article: https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2022/11/25/2-men-suffering-from-fentanyl-overdoses-revived-after-flagging-down-officers/

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