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COMMUNITY AND YOUTH SERVICES

VOLUME 2

BUILDING TOGETHER: A MESSAGE FROM CAPT. AL AMBITO

Welcome to the second edition of our Community and Youth Services Division newsletter!

In just six months since our division was established, our team has been dedicated to expanding our presence, strengthening partnerships, and deepening connections with communities across the City of San Diego and beyond.

Recently, you may have seen us at various community events, including the Chinese New Year events and the San Diego Tet Festival, where we celebrated the Lunar New Year and welcomed the Year of the Snake. We were also honored to participate in several parades commemorating the life and legacy of the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

From launching new mentorship programs in schools to advancing outreach initiatives like our Community Advisory Boards, we’re making meaningful progress—and we’re just getting started.

Our mission remains steadfast: to collaborate, engage, and build stronger relationships because we know that when we work together, our communities thrive.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our community partners for your continued support. I also want to recognize the outstanding, dedicated men and women of our CYS division who proudly serve our students, schools, and communities every day.

INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM

The Community Engagement Team, part of the Community and Youth Services Division, is here to enhance connections between the department and the neighborhoods we serve. Working alongside Community Resource Officers and Community Liaisons, our team helps expand outreach, build trust, and support initiatives that bring officers and residents together.

Find our contact info on the resource sheet at the end of this newlsetter!

San Diego Police Department

Left to right: Officer Omar Luzuriaga, Sgt. Danny Medina, and Officer Hilton Williams

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES ONE EVENT AT A TIME

At the Community and Youth Services Division, we believebuildingtruststartswithshowingup.That’swhy our team is dedicated to attending community events acrossthecity,fromneighborhoodgatheringstoschool functionstoculturalcelebrations.Thesemomentsallow ustolisten,engage,andstrengthenrelationships.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve gone to more than a dozencommunityeventsandmeetings Byshowingup where the community comes together, we’re not just fostering connections -- we’re reinforcing our commitmenttocollaboration Seeyououtthere!

Welcomingthe NewYear

Our CYS teams helped communities across San Diego ring in the New Year. You may have seen us cheering on cultural performances and enjoying traditionalfoodsattheseevents:

The Karen Chinese New Year CelebrationonJan 11

The Little Saigon Lunar New Year on Jan.25

The Indo-Chinese Lunar New Year onJan.29

The San Diego Tet Festival opening onJan.31

The House of Chine New Year Fair onFeb 15and16

The San Diego Police Department was honored to take part in this year’s Martin Luther King Jr Dignity Award Breakfast andthe43rdAnnualDr MartinLutherKingJr Parade

Thousands of residents, organizations and community and city leaders turned out to celebrate Dr King’s enduring legacy Botheventsinspiredreflection,unityandmeaningful conversationsaboutserviceandequity.

Dr. King’s mission of community, justice and collaboration aligns closely with our division’s commitment to build trust, foster partnerships and ensure our community’s voices are heard.

We were grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside residents

Year Of The Snake Year Of The Snake

SKILL AND SERVICE: THE U.S. POLICE AND FIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The U S Police & Fire Championships is an Olympic-style competition for athletes from law enforcement and fire agencies across the country.

Competitors will showcase their skill, dedication and teamwork in 38 different sporting events at 28 venues throughout San Diego County. This annual event not only highlights the strength and resilience of those who serve but also fosters community among our first responders

The 2025 championships will be held May 31 through June 7.

PARTY WITH THE PADRES

The Community and Youth Services Division is partnering with the East Village Association for this year’s East Village Block Party Taking place on J Street between 6th and 10th avenues in front of Petco Park, this event is a chance to showcase all the ways East Village makes San Diego richer. The event will feature local small businesses and vendors, live entertainment, tasty bites, photo opportunities, fun, family-friendly activities, and of course a celebration of East Village’s very own -the San Diego Padres!

WITH OUR S: LETS KEEP ATION GOING

time introducing ilipino International (UPI) e got the chance to hare our mission, and at mattered most to its g relationships starts with excited to continue these city. If your on or community group is hosting a meeting, we d love to attend! Reach out to our engagement team to schedule a visit.

PSO Yang

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Yang retires after 37 years of community partnership

As a young teen, Ping Yang fought alongside U.S. forces as a Hmong child soldier in the jungles of Laos against the Communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army. The war claimed the lives of approximately 40,000 Hmong soldiers one-fourth of the Hmong men and boys who fought

After losing his father, Ping led his mother and younger siblings through the treacherous jungles of Laos, swimming across the Mekong River multiple times to carry them to safety in Thailand. Granted refugee status, his family later immigrated to San Diego in 1980. As the head of the household, Ping worked tirelessly to support his family, graduate high school, and serve his new country

PSOPINGYANG

1987- 2025

Between 1975 and 1987, San Diego welcomed over 31,250 Southeast Asian refugees, many of whom became targets of crime. Recognizing the need for stronger community relations, the city and San Diego Police Department established the Indochinese Storefront in 1987 to bridge the gap between law enforcement and immigrant communities

Ping was among the first Indochinese Service Officers hired As a trusted liaison, he played a vital role in crime prevention, outreach, and education, ensuring the Hmong and Lao communities had access to resources and support. He also tackled critical issues, such as the underreporting of domestic violence, by engaging clan leaders nationwide to promote awareness and resources.

For 37 years, Ping has dedicated himself to serving and strengthening the community On behalf of the San Diego Police Department, we extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment and impact