San Diego elected officials are demanding clearer procedures and better communication after three major shutdowns on Interstate 5 over the past two months left drivers stranded for hours with little information. Leaders say the repeated closures — including an eight-hour shutdown on Dec. 5 — put public safety at risk and reveal gaps in how agencies coordinate during emergencies.
San Diego police said they coordinated with other agencies to help de-escalate a mental health crisis during the 5 incident, and that they sent updates via signage, news media and social media during the unfolding event. The department said the time of day and the location made it difficult to divert traffic, but they plan to review the shutdown and look for ways to improve their response.
California Sen. Catherine Blakespear led a news conference Tuesday with several other local officials, saying they want to know whether any protocol exists to prevent widespread gridlock when police activity or other incidents force freeway closures. Officials said they are not aware of any such plan.
San Diego City Council president Joe LaCava said officials need to understand if communication systems between local police and state agencies worked properly…