Source: Fox News
Introduction
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez has issued a significant directive regarding the use of local law enforcement assets by federal agencies. The sheriff announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel are barred from utilizing county-owned firing ranges and training facilities, citing concerns regarding the agency's operational conduct during armed encounters elsewhere in the nation.
While the sheriff has moved to distance her department from ICE, she has explicitly maintained access for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This decision highlights an ongoing tension between county officials—who are seeking to terminate facility agreements with federal entities—and the sheriff’s office, which is balancing community relations with regional economic and security considerations.
What Happened
Sheriff Martinez’s policy shift marks a clear divide in how the San Diego Sheriff’s Department engages with federal partners. By revoking ICE’s training privileges, the sheriff emphasized that her department's legitimacy is rooted in the confidence of the local population. She noted that her administrative choices are consistently weighed against the priorities of public safety and maintaining community trust.
This development unfolds alongside broader efforts by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to sever ties with both ICE and CBP. The Board has formally instructed the county's chief administrative officer to work with the Department of General Services to end existing lease agreements with both federal agencies. Despite this push from local leadership, the sheriff has signaled her intent to diverge from the board's stance regarding CBP.
Background
The decision to permit continued access for CBP is rooted in the sheriff’s assessment of regional infrastructure and economic stability. Following two weeks of consultations with community stakeholders, Martinez concluded that denying CBP the use of the Otay Range would likely cause detrimental ripple effects. She expressed concern that restricting these training opportunities would impede the efficiency of border operations, potentially leading to increased congestion at ports of entry.
CBP personnel are mandated to complete specific classroom instruction and live-fire range qualifications to maintain their certification. Currently, the sheriff’s office reports that there are no comparable alternative training sites available to CBP in the immediate vicinity. While some facilities exist at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, their capacity is limited and cannot fully accommodate the needs of the federal agents operating in the San Diego region.
Key Details
The scale of activity at the San Diego border is substantial, necessitating a high degree of operational readiness from federal agents. The following table outlines the daily volume of traffic and the logistical pressure placed on regional border infrastructure.
| Metric | Daily Volume/Figure |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian crossings | 50,000 |
| Vehicle crossings | 90,000 |
| Commercial truck crossings | 5,500 |
| Total daily entries | 225,000+ |
| Typical border wait times | 1–3 hours |
Impact
Sheriff Martinez warned that any disruption to CBP training could force officers away from their primary duties at inspection lanes for extended durations. This reduction in available personnel would likely exacerbate wait times, which already fluctuate between one and three hours. Such delays would not only hinder the movement of goods and commuters but could also increase environmental impacts due to the idling of thousands of vehicles in transit.
The impact of this decision extends beyond San Diego County. Because CBP officers from Imperial County also utilize the Otay Range for their mandatory training, a total closure would create a regional deficiency in law enforcement readiness. The sheriff underscored that her primary duty remains the protection and service of everyone who resides in or travels through San Diego County, framing her decision as a pragmatic necessity for regional commerce and safety.
What Happens Next
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that it is currently exploring alternative training options for the future. Meanwhile, the directive for the chief administrative officer to terminate lease agreements with federal agencies remains a point of focus for the Board of Supervisors. As the situation evolves, the sheriff’s office continues to monitor the impact of its policies on both public trust and the operational integrity of regional border security.
