Carlsbad's Police Homeless Outreach Team has a new Ford Lightning pickup truck, the first all-electric vehicle assigned to the unit.
The truck is the 11th Ford Lightning in the city's fleet and the second assigned to police operations, according to a city newsroom post published Friday, Oct. 16. A white Ford Lightning already serves the department's Ranger Team. The new electric pickup is one of 177 electric or hybrid vehicles the city now operates.
The Homeless Outreach Team consists of six officers and one sergeant who patrol seven days a week, working to reduce homelessness and its effects on the community. The team is a dedicated unit within the Carlsbad Police Department, and the electric truck will be visible on its regular patrols across the city.
City Manager Geoff Patnoe said the truck is one way Carlsbad is advancing goals in its updated Climate Action Plan.
"All-electric vehicles that can also perform the tough demands of a police vehicle are unique, and I'm glad we're able to put them to good use in our city," Patnoe wrote in the Oct. 15 City Manager's Update.
The Carlsbad City Council approved the updated Climate Action Plan on Nov. 12, 2024. The plan sets targets for reducing the city's carbon footprint and builds on the original version Carlsbad adopted in 2015. The city was among the first in San Diego County to adopt such a plan, according to its environmental sustainability page. The electric truck also supports goals in the City Council's 5-Year Strategic Plan.
With 11 Ford Lightnings now in service and 177 electric or hybrid vehicles across city departments, the fleet represents one of the more visible pieces of Carlsbad's broader sustainability push. The newsroom post did not include the total size of the city's vehicle fleet or the cost of the new truck.
Residents who want to report homelessness concerns can use the city's Carlsbad Connects app or call 442-339-2249.
