ESCONDIDO: Major facelift of city firing range complete

Goal of $1.6 million project is better safety, training

By DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | Saturday, August 30, 2008 6:11 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- A safer and more elaborate version of the police department's longtime firing range was unveiled to officers in mid-August after eight months of construction and renovation.

"It's bigger, wider and there's more to it," Officer Juliette Barnes said Thursday at the range, which began operations in 1962. "There's more versatility, with two different kinds of shooting practice at one time."

Barnes was referring to the addition of large barriers that have allowed the department to carve out a new 175-yard rifle range adjacent to its 50-yard pistol range. The barriers also soften the shooting noises heard by residents living close to the rural range, which is located near the city's border with Valley Center.

Other components of the $1.6 million renovation include steeper backstops to stop stray bullets, an improved access road, a larger parking lot and a fence to prevent hikers from stumbling on to the 22-acre range.

"We've had many instances of people hiking in the hills and wandering in because they think this is public land," said Sgt. John Russo, who coordinates activities at the range for the Escondido Police Department. Luckily, no one has been injured, he said.

The upgrades have also made the range more friendly to the environment, said Russo. Bullets made of lead no longer get deposited into pristine land and creekbeds, he said, explaining that five federal and state environmental agencies consulted on the renovations.

Russo said reaction to the more sophisticated range has been extremely positive from officers since training resumed there a few weeks ago after an eight-month absence.

The superior range will make Escondido a more secure place, he said.

"The better officers are with their weapons, the safer the public is," said Russo.

Such sentiments have been the centerpiece of a long campaign by officers to persuade city officials to pay for roughly $8 million worth of upgrades they would like at the firing range, which opened 46 years ago as a simple patch of dirt in an open field.

With the upgrade of the shooting area complete, Russo said officers hope to secure funding soon for classrooms and a simulated town for advanced training scenarios. Water, restroom and phone service are also on the agenda, he said.

John Houchin, a retired Escondido police lieutenant who helps oversee facilities planning for the department, said the additional upgrades are important.

"The simulated town will give them something other than standing in front of a target and shooting," said Houchin.

City Councilwoman Marie Waldron, who sits on the council's budget subcommittee, said she expects the city to find money soon for the additional upgrades even though the economy has created a severe budget crisis at City Hall.

"I don't want to put it on the back burner," said Waldron.

While the firing range belongs to Escondido police, other law enforcement agencies have always been welcome to use it for free, said Russo. It is the most complete range in North County, said Russo, explaining that the only comparable ranges are in Miramar and on the Pala Indian Reservation.

The FBI, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and police officers from Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos often use the site, said Russo.

Sgt. Timothy Dow of the Cal State San Marcos police force said the renovations are remarkable.

"The barriers have added an element of safety," said Dow. "I would say their facility has become pretty much top-notch."

Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.