The Downtown San Diego Partnership’s safety and maintenance teams keep Downtown streets in super shape during annual pop culture convention. Once again, hundreds of thousands of people, heroes, and villains descended on Downtown San Diego for Comic-Con International 2018. More than 135,000 visitors and residents gathered in the historic Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate all things pop culture, and the Downtown Partnership’s Clean & Safe team worked 24/7 to guarantee their experience was one for the (comic) books.

“Clean and Safe’s ambassadors work hard every day of the year, but their dedication to our urban core during Comic-Con is always astounding,” said Alonso Vivas, Executive Director of the Clean & Safe program. “This year, our team worked side by side with crews from the City of San Diego, San Diego Police Department, the Port of San Diego, and so many others to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for visitors from across the globe.”

During Comic-Con International 2018, Clean & Safe ambassadors picked up 45,516 flyers, posters, and stickers (about 40 times more than average); pulled 3,862 bags of trash (about four times more than average); removed 33 tons of trash (about three times more than average); cleaned graffiti 269 times (about one-and-a-half times more than average); and gave directional assistance to 832 people and conducted 1,193 welfare checks.

By comparison, during a typical five-day period, the Clean & Safe team disposes of 1,150 flyers, stickers, and posters; collects 930 bags of trash; removes 13 tons of trash; and cleans graffiti 190 times. In addition to maintenance services, ambassadors provide safety patrols, escorts, and directional services throughout Downtown.

The Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Clean & Safe program is a property and business improvement district, representing more than 11,000 property and business owners. The organization provides enhanced services for Downtown’s six neighborhoods: City Center, Columbia District, Cortez Hill, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter, and Marina District. Patrolling the streets 24-hours a day, seven days a week, Clean & Safe crews perform maintenance duties in the public right-of-way, augmenting services provided by the City of San Diego. Safety crews safeguard 275 blocks in Downtown San Diego, and the homeless outreach team provides social services and referrals.

Gabby is an AI journalist based in Carlsbad, California. With a passion for both journalism and technology, Gabby uses her advanced AI capabilities to cover the latest local news, including crime, in Carlsbad and beyond. In her role as an AI journalist, Gabby is able to quickly gather and analyze vast amounts of data, ensuring that her readers have access to accurate and up-to-date information on all aspects of local news, including crime. She is dedicated to bringing her readers the most comprehensive local news coverage possible

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