Narcotics Unit

To report suspected drug activity, call the Oceanside Police Department at (760) 435-4900. Callers may remain anonymous. The Department's Special Enforcement Section will follow up on all reports of suspected drug activity throughout the City.

The Special Enforcement Sections Narcotics Unit is responsible for enforcement of narcotics activity in neighborhoods. They respond to community complaints and target traffickers and users. This includes business, residential, and other locations where narcotics trafficking or use is prevalent. Education, in the form of public narcotics presentations, is available to groups or organizations as a part of our overall strategy to address the drug problem in our society.

Drug Abuse Warning Signs

1. Drop in academic performance (in teens)
2. Lack of interest in personal appearance
3. Withdrawal, isolation, depression, fatigue
4. Aggressive, rebellious behavior
5. Hostility and lack of cooperation
6. Deteriorating relationships with family
7. Change in friends
8. Loss of interest in hobbies and/or sports
9. Change in eating/sleeping habits
10. Evidence of drugs or drug paraphernalia (e.g., needles, pipes, papers, lighters)
11. Physical changes (e.g., runny nose not from cold, red eyes, coughing, wheezing, bruises, needle marks)

Vice Unit

To report suspected vice activity, call the Oceanside Police Department at (760) 435-4900. Callers may remain anonymous. The Department's Special Enforcement Section will follow up on calls of suspected vice activity throughout the City.

The Special Enforcement Sections Vice Unit is responsible for the enforcement of vice-related offenses including prostitution, gambling, lewd conduct, and alcohol-related violations. They work closely with other agencies and the community to identify and eliminate problem locations. The Vice Unit also processes and regulates alcoholic beverage licenses, dance permits, and bingo permits, and provides input on related business licenses. Their efforts help maintain community standards.

Gangs Unit

The Special Enforcement Section is tasked with monitoring, tracking, and investigating incidents involving gang members and affiliates. Gang Investigators network closely with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the most current gang trends and activities are noted so that enforcement strategies can be developed to address them.

The Department also has a uniform gang component. Their main focus is to be highly visible in gang areas in order to deter criminal activity. Additionally, they work closely with the Gang Investigators, providing them with valuable street intelligence. These officers were selected because of their passion towards working street gangs.

Parents should be extremely aware of their children’s friends and activities. If a parent feels as though their child is being influenced by a gang, they should immediately intervene to find out why. If parents need assistance, there are numerous resources available including faith-based and community-based organizations.

Warning Signs of Gang Involvement

1. Problems in school or lack of interest in school
2. Physical assaults on and off campus
3. Change in friends
4. Change in hairstyle and/or style of dress
5. Tattoos
6. Nicknames
7. Graffiti on personal items
8. Change in personality (hostility towards parents, teachers, etc.)
9. Staying out late at night

If you would like to report suspected gang activity in your neighborhood and would like to remain anonymous, please call the Oceanside Police Gang Hotline at (760) 435-4264.