Serving the cities of Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach.

858-565-5200 (Dispatch)
760-966-3500 (Business)
760-966-3518 (Narcotics Tip Line)

Message from Captain Shane Watts 

In 2015, the Encinitas Sheriff's Station was renamed the North Coastal Sheriff's Station to better reflect the northern coastal cities of Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar, who contract for the services of the Sheriff’s Department. The North Coastal Station also provides services to the surrounding unincorporated areas of Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch. The North Coastal Station provides public safety services to more than 80,000 residents.

Captain Shane Watts is currently in command of the North Coastal Station. The station is supported by many different divisions ranging from patrol, traffic, motors, community service officers, senior volunteers, area detectives, professional staff and a community oriented policing and problem solving unit. In total, we have 113 total staff with 26 active members of our Senior Volunteer Patrol.

Captain Watts' message to his staff is "communication with the citizen's we serve is paramount. As a department, we need to always be active listeners to ensure we're clearly hearing the needs of our communities. With this partnership, we can enhance the safety of the community while establishing a more inclusive environment for everyone."  

The North Coastal Station serves nearly 60 square miles which includes the cities of Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach, and the unincorporated communities of Rancho Santa Fe, Del Dios, Camp Pendleton and San Onofre. In addition, the Sheriff’s Department contracts with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and the 22nd Agricultural District for law enforcement services at the San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Races, and other events throughout the year.

Patrol Division

Patrol deputies are first responders, responding to crimes or emergencies in progress, calls for service. They conduct routine patrols with their primary focus on the protection and preservation of life. They conduct preliminary investigations and apprehend law violators.

Traffic Division

Traffic deputies focus on vehicle code enforcement, traffic collision investigations and traffic control. The California Highway Patrol is the agency responsible for traffic enforcement in the unincorporated areas throughout the state of California.

Investigative Unit

The Investigative Unit is responsible for investigating general crimes against people and property crimes. Follow-up investigations on specific crimes requiring specialized expertise may be conducted by the department’s centralized units shown as follows:

• Arson/Explosives
• CATCH Team
• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault Unit
• Financial Crimes/Elder Abuse
• Homicide
• Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force
• Jurisdictions Unified for Drug Gang Enforcement (JUDGE)
• Juvenile Intervention
• Narcotic Task Force
• Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT)
• San Diego Fugitive Task Force
• Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force
• Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU)
• Street Narcotics and Gang Detail

Narcotics Investigations

The North Coastal Station assigns deputies to specifically conduct complex narcotics investigations within its jurisdiction. The deputies respond to complaints originating from citizens who report suspicious activity and leads and/or arrests made by patrol deputies. Investigators focus on crimes involving the sale, possession and distribution of illicit drugs and cases involving seizures of property. The cities of Encinitas and Solana Beach jointly fund one Narcotic Enforcement Deputy who works with other Sheriff’s deputies working narcotics enforcement.

COPPS ("Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving")

COPPS deputies are special purpose deputies targeting issues that can negatively impact the quality of life for our citizens. Deputies tailor their enforcement to address problems they are specifically working on, allowing them to develop multifaceted responses to complex issues. COPPS deputies also coordinate the station’s Citizens’ Academy, an academy designed to provide local citizens with an overview of the department and criminal justice system.

Crime Prevention Unit

The Crime Prevention Unit focuses on community outreach regarding crime prevention techniques, current trends and prevention education. The unit provides an array of free services including assisting communities in starting neighborhood and/or business watch groups, conducting a variety of community safety presentations, community alerts, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) reviews, and security consultations for commercial and residential properties. For more information contact the station’s Crime Prevention Unit at (760) 966-3500.

Learn more about the department’s Crime Prevention Program

Upcoming Events and Current Topics

Bicycle Theft Information

Community Service Officers (CSOs)

CSOs are non-sworn employees who are able to complete certain crime investigations, assist with traffic control, and manage the Redflex (red-light camera) enforcement.

Crime Analysis

A Crime Analyst assists the North Coastal Station in monitoring and predicting crime trends.

Learn more about the department’s Crime Analysis Unit

Senior Volunteers

The North Coastal Station is very fortunate to have a group of highly trained and dedicated volunteers who assist in providing services to the community and department. Volunteer groups consist of reserve deputies and senior volunteers (seniors age 50 and older).

Reserve deputies primarily assist patrol deputies perform law enforcement functions including responding to calls and prisoner transports. They also work a multitude of special events for our cities.

Nearly 30 senior volunteers assist the station with administrative duties and patrolling the community. Senior volunteers consistently contribute a remarkable amount of their time. Last year alone, they gave more than 13,000 hours of service. Senior volunteers provide extra patrols, shopping center patrols, park patrols, vacation checks, YANA (You Are Not Alone) checks, school patrols, special community event assistance, foot patrols, traffic control, disabled parking enforcement, administrative duties, and crime scene security. If you would like additional information about the North Coastal Senior Volunteer Program program, please contact the station’s Senior Volunteer Program Administrator Bob Molinaro at (760) 966-3579.

There are a variety of ways for citizens to be involved with the department and give back to their communities. Citizen volunteers provide essential services. We are always looking for interested men and women.
 
Learn more about the department’s volunteer opportunities

Start Smart

For more information about “Start Smart” for teen drivers, contact Nancy at the San Dieguito Alliance for Drug Free Youth by phone at (760) 519-5877 or by email.

Contact

Have a question? You are welcome to e-mail questions either to the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station or the Sheriff’s Webmaster. If you are reporting a crime please call the Sheriff’s Communications Center at 911 or (858) 565-5200.

• E-mail the North Coastal Station
• E-mail Sheriff’s Webmaster