SAN DIEGO — Knife fights, drugs, alcohol and nudity are among many of the issues a Downtown San Diego tour business says it faces daily.
Another Side of San Diego Tours uses the courtyard in front of their business to train its guests on segway safety, but they worry about the other guests who are not welcoming visitors.
CBS 8 is Working For You after the business says it has made several complaints to city officials and nothing is being done.
“That was a Kung Fu fight that took place right behind us, right there,” said Kevin Wilkerson, tour guide. “They’re just standing here, literally, the faces, particularly the mother. What am I supposed to say?”
'The gauntlet'
All of this happened where kids and parents were preparing for their Segway ride.
Before the guests reach the business at G Street and Third Avenue they must walk through the the courtyard where many of the issues are happening.
“The gauntlet, as I call it,” said Wilkerson.
Guides shared pictures of alcohol and drugs that were out in the open.
“There’s the liquor bottle. We got kids who are coming here, and the smell of pot,” said Wilkerson.
Another guide shared pictures of disturbances happening in front of their business and talked about how one of their bikes was stolen at the end of a tour.
“Every day we walk out and it’s a wildcard, you never know what it is going to be,” said Jeff Wyngaert, tour guide manager.
This is not the impression tour guides want to give visitors in America's Finest City.
“The city should be embarrassed by this,” said Wilkerson.
The owner of the company told CBS 8 the company has filed countless complaints.
“I know 20 to 30 times within the last couple of weeks, he’s gone to the various channels of the city, even sent a letter to Todd Gloria,” said Wilkerson.
The San Diego Police Department and the mayor’s office did not respond to our request for comment.
CBS 8 found several reports on the city’s Get It Done website and found reports at the location about the unsanitary and unsafe conditions were in the process, closed, or some that were referred to other departments and agencies since last fall.
“Very frustrating. And you get at your wits end, what do you do next?," asked Wilkerson.
That’s why the owner, Kenneth Lippman, reached out to CBS 8.
“He’s very desperate. He’s begging for help. And you know, we’re glad you’re here to bring some light to the situation,” said Wilkerson.
City response
The City of San Diego said in a statement to CBS 8,
"For enforcement to happen, San Diego Police officers must witness a crime or violation being committed. SDPD’s Neighborhood Policing Division (NPD) has teams out seven days a week in this area (Central Division) and have closed Get It Done complaints at this specific location. Over the last year and a half, more than 100 Get It Done requests have been closed by NPD teams in this area and over 160 blocks have been cleared of encampments in the Downtown neighborhoods. It is not illegal for a person who may appear to be experiencing homelessness to sit or stand in a public place."
The tour guides say they want to feel safe and more importantly they want San Diego visitors to feel welcomed.
“It’s not sanitary, and it’s not safe. And we don’t feel uncomfortable coming here," said Wilkerson.
Another Side of San Diego Tours also reports issues to Downtown San Diego Partnership, Clean and Safe app. The non-profit provides resources for downtown businesses.
Tour guides say they have been responsive to their concerns, but many issues need to be handled by other jurisdictions.
"The Downtown San Diego Partnership Clean & Safe program has proudly provided enhanced safety services in our urban neighborhoods for more than 20 years. When our staff responds to requests that are not within our jurisdiction as a PBID, our team proactively refers them to the appropriate entity including submitting Get it Done requests to the City of San Diego and calling in needs to the San Diego Police Department. As always, we are committed to our role as a partner to address challenges for our Downtown properties and would be happy to support efforts to make this area more clean and more safe,” said Sarah Brothers, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Downtown San Diego Partnership.
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.
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