>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

NO LONGER A WELCOMING CITY ACT VISTA REACT IN WITH SURPRISE AFTER THEIR WORK TO ERIN'S EXTINCTION GOES TO WASTE.

>>> VISITING A HOTEL IN JULIAN FILLING UP WITH STORIES ABOUT EARLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN MIGRATION.

THE HOME OF THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY GETS A HUGE MAKEOVER AND UP DATE ON THE WORK HAPPENING DOWNTOWN TO BUILD A MODERN VENUE FOR MUSIC LOVERS.

>>> A TERRIBLE IMPACT ON THE UNHOUSED POPULATION.

WHAT THE CITY IS HELPING TO KEEP IT IN CHECK.

>> Reporter: ON ANY GIVEN DAY YOU WILL FIND THEM WALKING THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

HE SAID HE HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A SPIKE OF HEPATITIS A AMONG THE HOMELESS POPULATION UNTIL WE TOLD HIM ABOUT IT.

HE SAID HE'S BEEN HOMELESS SINCE 2017.

>> IT'S RIDICULOUS WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO US.

THEY WANT US OFF THE STREET SO THEY COME OUT AND SWEEP US OFF THE STREET.

THEY ONLY ALLOW US TO BE SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS.

THEN THEY COME SWEEP YOU FROM THERE.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE SITTING HERE CATCHING DISEASES BECAUSE WE ARE ALL ENCLOSED TOGETHER.

>> ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT COUNTY THERE IS NOW ONE OUT BREAK BECAUSE THEY TYPICALLY SEE TO MINISTRY CASES A MONTH.

SO FAR WHEN A PERSON HAS DIED OF THE DISEASE AND THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE RECENT CONFIRMED CASES.

THREE AMONG THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> MOST PEOPLE OUT HERE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT YET.

>> MICHAEL HAS BEEN A ADVOCATE FOR 15 YEARS.

HE SAYS HE WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE SPIKE.

>> IT'S SHOCKING.

THAT'S HOW IT SPREADS.

OUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS DON'T TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO GET THE WORD OUT.

>> IT'S WRONG.

WE ARE LOBBYING IN THESE STREETS OKAY?

NO OTHER WAY THEY CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES, NOT IF THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO.

>> HE ALSO SAYS THEY MUST THE WORD OUT BECAUSE HYGIENE MATTERS.

THE VIRUS IS SPREAD THROUGH FECAL CONTAMINATION.

>> SANITARY STATIONS OUT WHETHER IT'S HANDWASHING STATIONS, PORT-A-POTTIES, HAND SANITIZER OUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY WE NEED A MASSIVE VACCINATION CAMPAIGN THAT'S WHAT REALLY SLOWED IT DOWN LAST TIME.

WE CAN'T WAIT.

WE HAVE TO GET THE COUNTY MOVING ON THAT RIGHT AWAY.

'S HE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

IN 2017 AND OUT RAKE HIT THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

NEARLY 600 PEOPLE WERE INFECTED AND 20 PEOPLE DIED.

'S SOMEBODY HAS ALREADY DIED.

THAT SEEMS LIKE AN EMERGENCY TO ME.

UNFORTUNATELY ABOUT 600 PEOPLE DIED UNSHELTERED LAST YEAR.

WE DON'T NEED TO ADD TO THAT BY MORE FAILINGS OF OUR GOVERNMENT NOT TO ACT.

WE NEED TO KEEP RESTROOMS OPEN OBVIOUSLY.

DON'T SHUT DOWN THE RESTROOMS ON THE WEEKEND.

THAT'S CRIMINAL.

WE NEED TO START ADDING MORE RESTROOMS BUT MOST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO START TACKLING THIS CRISIS.

>> UNTIL PEOPLE START SEEING THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AS HUMAN BEINGS WHO HAVE HOPES AND DREAMS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

HIS DREAM TO BECOME AN R&B SINGER.

THE COUNTY HAS STARTED VACCINATIONS AND THE CITY SAYS THEY ARE WORKING AS A COUNTY TO ENSURE WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> NOT COUNT HIS LONG-TERM HOUSING PLAN INCLUDES MAXIMIZING THE USE OF LAND AROUND TRANSIT HOMES.

KPBS COUNTY REPORTER LAURA TELLS US ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT ARE ON THE HORIZON.

>> Reporter: WHERE THERE IS SPACE, THERE IS OPPORTUNITY.

THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT SEES OPPORTUNITY IN THE UNDERUTILIZED LAND.

>> THE GOAL IS TO TRANSFORM OUR STATIONS INTO VIBRANT HUBS THAT HAVE HOUSING, COMMERCIAL RETAIL AS WELL AS THE OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF PLANNING COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER HE SAYS THESE PROJECTS ARE BEING PROPOSED AROUND FOUR NORTH COUNTY STATIONS.

OCEANSIDE AND ESCONDIDO.

>> IT ALSO CREATES REVENUE FOR THE DEATH AND HAVE HOUSING TO THE REGION.

REDEVELOPMENT OF OCEANSIDE 10 ACRE TRANSIT CENTER THE HUB CONNECT THEM TO AMTRAK ORANGE COUNTIES METRO TRAINS AND THE COASTER SPRINTER AND BUSES.

THE STATIONS REDEVELOPMENT INCLUDES OVER 500 MIXED INCOME APARTMENTS ALONG WITH A BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE THE TRANSIT CENTER WILL ALSO GET MODERNIZED AND THE HEADQUARTERS WILL ALSO BE RELOCATED TO THE TRANSIT CENTER.

ONCE THEY'VE MOVED THE OLD BUILDING WILL BE REDEVELOPED INTO RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS.

THAT WILL INCLUDE A MARKET RATE AND AFFORDABLE UNITS.

>> THE REDEVELOPMENT IS A KEYSTONE FOR THE CITY IN THE LONG TERM VISION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.

THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THIS SITE.

>> THE DIRECT AIR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.

SHE SAYS DEVELOPERS ARE CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING WITH THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE AND CONSTRUCTION ANTICIPATED THE START IN 2025.

>> WE REALLY DO ANTICIPATE A CULTURAL SHIFT OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY AT THE TRANSIT STATIONS THROUGH THESE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES THAT WE ARE BUILDING.

>> OCEANSIDE CITY COUNCILMEMBER SAYS WHILE THE PROJECT HAS MANY BENEFITS TO TRAVELERS, HE WILL BE PUSHING FOR AND IF IT'S FOR THE OCEANSIDE COMMUNITY.

'S WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE COMMUNITY SPACES THEY ARE NOT TOO FAR AWAY THE COMMUNITY CENTER THAT THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH SPACE FOR PROGRAMMING.

THERE'S NEVER SPACE FOR THE CLASSES SO WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPER IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S A PUBLIC AND IF IT DIRECTLY INCLUDING IT IN THE FINAL PROJECT.

>> THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ELEMENT WILL HELP KEEP MORE PEOPLE FROM GETTING PUSHED OUT OF THE CITY.

>> I THINK THIS PROJECT IN PARTICULAR IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHOW THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT IS ACTUALLY WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OCEANSIDE >> THE TRANSIT STATION IS ALSO UP FOR REDEVELOPMENT.

>> THE VILLAGE STATION WILL EACH HAVE THEIR OWN DEVELOPER CHOSEN JUST LAST MONTH.

'S WE ANTICIPATE THERE IS DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MARKET RETAIL.

>> BETWEEN THE TWO PROJECTS, CARLSBAD WILL GET JUST OVER 400 MORE APARTMENTS AND 81 OF THEM WILL BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> THERE'S A REAL BIG EFFORT AT CREATING MORE HOUSING FOR FOLKS.

>> REPRESENTING VISTA ON THE BOARD SHE SAYS THEY ARE MAKING PROGRESS WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSIT THERE'S STILL MORE TO BE DONE TO CONNECT THEM WITH THE REST.

>> IF WE CAN BUILD THAT OUT AND HAVE IT ON THE TRANSIT PRIORITY LANES OR MANAGED LANES TO GO FROM VISTA QUICKLY DOWN TO SAN DIEGO, THAT PROVIDES US MORE OPPORTUNITY WHETHER IT'S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN DIFFERENT RECREATIONAL THINGS LIKE GOING TO PETCO AND WHAT NOT.

>> THE TRANSIT CENTER IS THE NEWEST PROJECT AND THEY HAVE OPENED UP A PROPOSAL THAT 13 ACRES AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING AND RETAIL.

DEVELOPERS HAVE UNTIL MARCH TO SUBMIT THEIR PLANS.

KPBS NEWS .

>> SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION IS A LONG-TERM DISCUSSION.

TANYA JOINED MIDDAY EDITION TO TALK MORE ABOUT HER STORY AND YOU CAN STREAM AT ANY TIME AS A PODCAST AT KPBS.ORG .

>>> THE FIRST CITY TO BECOME A CERTIFIED WELCOMING CITY IN 2019.

NOW JUST THREE YEARS LATER AND IS ALSO THE FIRST CITY IN THE STATE TO LOSE THAT DISTINCTION.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO EXPLAINS WHY IT'S NO LONGER A WELCOMING CITY.

>> MARGARET BAKER SPENT HOURS VOLUNTEERING TO HELP BECOME A CERTIFIED WELCOMING CITY IT WAS A RIGOROUS PROCESS THAT INCLUDED SEVERAL PUBLIC MEETINGS AND POLICY REVIEWS ALL TO ENSURE THAT AND SAY SAFE AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES INCLUDING IMMIGRANTS.

BAKER AND OTHER ADVOCATES ARE LIVID THAT THEY CHOSE TO ABANDON THE WELCOMING PROGRAM.

>> I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD BE SO CRUDE AND RUDE TELL THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE WORKED TO MISS.

>> CITY MANAGER MARIA CHOSE NOT TO RECERTIFY AS A WELCOMING CITY IN NOVEMBER 2022.

THE CITY HAS NOT MADE ANY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT IT IS NO LONGER A CERTIFIED WELCOMING CITY.

ON THE CONTRARY, CONTINUING TO POST ABOUT BEING A WELCOMING CITY EVEN THOUGH IT'S NO LONGER CERTIFIED.

THEY STILL HAVE A WELCOMING CITY SECTION ON THE WEBSITE AND AS RECENTLY AS OF FEBRUARY 7th THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING APPOINTED THE CERTIFICATION AS AN EXAMPLE OF PROGRESS THEY HAVE MADE IN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

>> THE CITY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES.

WE ALSO HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS A CERTIFIED CITY.

>> Reporter: RON CORNING TWIN CITY SPOKESPERSON DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE TO THE RECERTIFICATION PROCESS BECAUSE OF STAFFING PRIORITIES TO LAUNCH A NEW JUSTICE EQUITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAM.

BAKER CRITICIZED THE CITY FOR LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ON THIS ISSUE.

THE MAXIMUM SHOULD OF HAD THE DECENCY TO SAY IN ONE OF THE MEETINGS, I'M FLABBERGASTED.

>> Reporter: WELCOMING AMERICA AS THE INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT CERTIFIES WELCOMING CITIES.

THEY WROTE A LETTER WITH CONCERNS OVER THE CITY'S SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM.

DURING THE ORIGINAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM WELCOMING AMERICA WAS UNAWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR SHARING DATA FROM ITS AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER PROGRAM WITH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.

HAD THEY KNOWN THAT, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED.

EARS BAKER READING FROM A LETTER THAT WELCOMING AMERICA'S SENT IN 2021.

>> HAD WE KNOWN THIS INFORMATION WAS BEING SHARED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NONCOMPLIANT.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A WELCOMING CITY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

KPBS NEWS.

>> WE BROUGHT YOU SEVERAL STORIES ON KPBS NEWS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH THIS MONTH INCLUDED A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS.

ALEXANDER CHECK INTO A HOTEL THAT HAS DEEP TIES TO OUR REGION'S BLACK HISTORY.

>> Reporter: IN THE BACKCOUNTRY SITS A UNASSUMING HOTEL.

IT'S POPULAR WITH HONEYMOONERS.

EVERYDAY TOURISTS, IT'S A CHARMING BET AND BREAKFAST.

THE ONLY THING THAT BRINGS TO LIGHT ITS HISTORY IS THE BACK OF THE HOTEL.

1897.

BUILT BY ALBERT ROBINSON AND WIFE MARGARET ON THE SITE OF THE BAKERY.

IT'S THE SOLE SURVIVING HOTEL.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ONE OF THE OLDEST HOTEL IT'S ALSO A NATIONAL SITE.

>> FROM THE 1880S, THE 1920S.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE REALLY SURPRISED THAT JULIAN HAD THAT RICH HISTORY OF AFRICAN- AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> Reporter: PART OF THAT HISTORY WAS STARTING WITH A LOVE STORY.

COMING UP FOR THE RESEARCH CENTER.

>> THERE IS A GREAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THAT HOTEL .

JUST LIKE THERE WAS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALVIN AND MARGARET.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS FOUNDED BY FORMER CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS BEFORE OLD WAS DISCOVERED THERE.

>> PART OF THE GOLD RUSH.

A LOT OF FORMATIONS.

COMING UP TO THAT SOURCE.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS 1869 AND STARTED THE FIRST AND ONLY GOLDRUSH IN SAN DIEGO.

AMONG THEM WAS ROBINSON.

>> HE SHOWS UP IN 1880 ON THE CENSUS RECORD.

>> REPORTER:'S FAMILY HAS LIVED IN JULIAN FOR FOUR GENERATIONS.

>> ALBERT I'M ASSUMING WAS ENSLAVED WHEREVER HE WAS LIVING AT THE TIME.

SUPPOSEDLY CAME HERE WITH A MAN NAMED LEVI CHASE.

>> CAME UP TO SAN DIEGO.

>> HIS WIFE CAME TO JULIAN LATER.

>> THAT'S WHEN THEY STARTED THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS.

THAT WAS UNTIL 1902 WHEN THEY CAME UP TO THE HOTEL.

THAT WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE TREE FROM CITY HALL.

COMING FROM ARIZONA.

>> Reporter: THE TOWNHALL IS ALSO THE SOCIAL HUB OF JULIAN.

THEY HAVE DANCES THERE.

THEY LAST ALL NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO WHAT I READ THEY PROVIDED MEALS.

>> SHE WAS FAMOUS FOR APPLE PIES AND PEOPLE WOULD COME FROM MILES AROUND TO SAMPLE MISSES ROBINSON'S APPLE PIE.

>> SOMETIMES -- SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT MADE APPLE PIE.

>> ALBERT DIED IN 1915.

>> Reporter: MARGARET RAN HER HOTEL BY HERSELF WHEN SHE SOLD IT FOR $1500.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY IN THIS HOTEL.

HE USED TO STAY IN THIS ROOM BEFORE HE BUILT THE HOTEL IN 1910.

>> THE ROOMS IN THE HOTEL HAVE NAMES OF SOME OF THE PROMINENT PEOPLE THAT ONCE STAYED THERE.

IT'S PART OF THIS HISTORY AND THE HISTORY.

>> MY GREAT UNCLE USED TO COME HERE WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN HE WAS LITTLE.

HE WOULD GET TO THE FRONT DOOR.

PICK HIM UP AND PUT HIM ON HIS SHOULDERS AND WALKED CAN INTO THE HOTEL.

MY UNCLE SAYS I FELT LIKE I WAS 10 FEET TALL.

>>> WE HAVE A BLACK HISTORY MONTH SECTION WITH RECENT STORIES AND YOU CAN FIND HIM ON THE YOUTUBE PAGE WHICH IS WHERE THE LIFESTREAM EVENING EDITION LIVE STREAMS AT 5:00.

>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS ROLLING OUT THE NEW ROLES AROUND COMPOSTING.

WE HAVE A GUY THAT EXPLAINS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

A NORTH COUNTY MOTORSPORTS COMPANY FINDS A NEW CUSTOMER BASE AS LAW ENFORCEMENT PUNTS AND ORDERS FOR PROTECTIVE GEAR.

HAVE THAT STORY COMING UP.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY WILL MOVE BACK TO SYMPHONY HALL.

HE GOT AN UPDATED LOOK AT THE MILLION-DOLLAR RENOVATION.

>> Reporter: THE HISTORIC FOX THEATER WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THE HOME OF THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY IN THE MID-80s.

SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN WHERE THE SYMPHONY IS HEADQUARTERED.

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO THE SYMPHONY PULLED UP STAKES AND MOVED OVER HERE.

THE $85 MILLION PARK.

COME NOVEMBER, THE SYMPHONY WILL RETURN TO THEIR MAIN HOME.

IF YOU THOUGHT 85 MILLION WAS EXPENSIVE, THE RENOVATIONS HERE ARE BEING DONE TO THE TUNE OF $125 MILLION.

>> THE END RESULT IS GOING TO BE WONDERFUL.

VISUALLY.

>> THE VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SYMPHONY.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CHANGES HAPPENING INSIDE THIS MAGNIFICENT SPACE, HE'S THE GUY WITH THE ANSWERS ABOUT NEARLY EVERYTHING OF WHAT KIND OF MODERNIZATION THEY WILL BE.

>> BRINGING IT IN BY ABOUT EIGHT ROWS OF SEATS WE HAVE A REALLY DEEP BALCONY OVERHANG BEFORE.

THOSE SEATS ALL THE WAY IN THE BACK UNDER BALCONY LEVEL WERE THAT GREAT.

>> EACH RELATIVES NEEDS REMAINS UNDER THE BALCONY IT WILL BE STEPPED UP TO IMPROVE LINES OF SITE.

ANOTHER CHANGE IMPROVES AESTHETICS AND SOUNDS.

>> REMOVING A BALANCE AT THE TOP.

WE WERE ABLE TO DO SOME STRUCTURAL MOVES TO REMOVE THAT AND TO OPEN IN THE FULL HEIGHT OF THIS ARCH THAT WE SEE BEHIND US.

THAT'S GOING TO GIVE US A LOT MORE BREATHING ROOM WE DECIDED TO BUILD A PERMANENT ORCHESTRA SHALL THAT WILL SURROUND THIS STAGE.

THAT ALLOWS US AROUND THE STAGE TO HAVE ANOTHER LEVEL.

>> Reporter: THE CORAL TERRACE WILL ALLOW THEM TO SING WITH THE ORCHESTRA IT WILL BE OPENED UP TO AUDIENCE SEATING.

IT WILL BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE ORCHESTRA ALLOWING FOR CUSTOM A CUE STICK TUNING.

THE ORNATE PLASTERWORK IS BEING REFRESHED AND CLEANED AND THERE IS THE CHANGES YOU WON'T SEE THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

LIKE BUILDINGS HEATING AND AIR- CONDITIONING SYSTEM.

>> NONE OF THE VIBRATION WILL TRANSFER INTO THIS SPACE.

>> Reporter: IT IS A QUESTION WE PUT TO THE DIRECT OF ARTISTIC PLANNING AJ BENSON IN A MUCH QUIETER MEETING ROOM.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ELEMENTS AND WE ARE PERFORMING IN TWO DIFFERENT VENUES.

THEY HAVE A HUGE FORCE PROPELLING THE ORCHESTRA.

>> VINCENT POINTS OUT THE JACOBS GIFT $120 MILLION GIVEN IN 2002.

THAT HE SAYS HAS RESULTED IN A FINANCIALLY SOUND ORGANIZATION ESPECIALLY WHEN COMBINED WITH OTHER LARGE GIFTS AND SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL.

BEEN SENT ALONG WITH SYMPHONY LEADERSHIP LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.

'S WE WANT PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY'RE COMFORTABLE AND IT WELCOMING AND WARM.

I THINK THERE IS A REAL ELEMENT AT THE TOP SHELF, INCREDIBLE MUSIC MAKING.

RIGHT AT EVERYONE'S DOORSTEP YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO L.A. YOU HAVE TO GO TO NEW YORK CITY THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING RIGHT HERE.

>> SOON HAPPENING IN A CONCERT HALL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AMONG THE FINEST IN THE ROOM.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> OUR FINAL STORIES ONE WHERE FASHION MEETS FUNCTION.

LOCAL POLICE ARE AT DATING THEIR SAFETY GEAR THINGS TO SOME SKILLED WORKERS AT THE COMPANY.

HOW THIS PARTNERSHIP IS COMING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE SOUND OF A CUTTING MACHINE IN ESCONDIDO.

IT'S CUTTING KEVLAR MESH, ONE PIECE AT A TIME.

AND THEN EACH PIECE IS CAREFULLY SEWN INTO A PAIR OF TAKE PANTS THAT ARE MADE TO ORDER.

THOSE PAIR OF PANTS ATTACK FROM SERIOUS INJURY.

>> I SURVIVED.

IT WAS THE WORST CRASH I EVER HAD.

'S A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS HAVE DIED.

>> Reporter: WAYNE IS THE OWNER AND A FORMER COMPETITIVE RIDER.

MAKING COMPETITIVE GEAR ISN'T HIS ONLY BUSINESS.

IN THE 90s, HE FOUND ANOTHER MARKET AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THERE WAS COTTON POLYESTER SHIRTS AND PANTS WITHOUT NO ABRASION STRENGTH AND IF THEY CRASH OR HAVE SERIOUS INJURIES THEY DON'T HAVE DETECTIVE CLOTHING.

>> Reporter: 75% OF HIS BUSINESS IS MAKING PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WE HAVE A SAFETY LOCK STITCH.

YOU DOUBLE STITCH OVER THE TOP.

COMING OVER 200,000 POUNDS SEEMS TO THESE OFFICERS CAN HIT THE GROUND AT 100 MILES AN HOUR AND THE GEAR DOES NOT DISINTEGRATE.

IT HOLDS IT TOGETHER.

>> SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE SEEN SERIOUS INJURY.

>> THE MOST RECENT CUSTOMER IS THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY PROPOSE THE UNIFORM UPGRADE AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH.

THE PANTS WEREN'T TORN OR RIPPED.

THAT'S WHAT SOLD ME.

'S IT WAS LONG OVERDUE.

I HAVE THE MOTOR UNIT FROM THE 1920S.

>> IT'S VERY REASSURING IT WAS DESIGNED WHILE WE WERE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE.

>> IT IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE OFFICER WHO WILL WEAR IT.

THEY ARE EVEN MEASURING THE CUSTOMERS AS THEY COME IN.

>> DO YOU WANT TO START WITH HIM?

>> IF SON-IN-LAW TAKES MEASUREMENTS OUT OF TOWN CUSTOMERS CAN GET MEASURED ONLINE.

EXACT FIT IS CRUCIAL FOR PROTECTION AND THERE IS NO MASS PRODUCTION HERE.

EVERY UNIFORM IS MADE ONE AT A TIME WHICH MEANS IT TAKES TIME.

>> WE HAVE ALMOST 3 1/2 MONTHS FOR THE POLICE OFFICER IN ORDER.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS.

>> HE SAYS HE WOULD RATHER TAKE HIS TIME AND MAKE SURE THINGS ARE DONE RIGHT.

THAT WAS A TIME WHEN MANUFACTURING WAS DONE BUT ONE OF THOSE SUITS FAILED.

HE WAS USING AT A CUSTOMER GOT HURT.

>> THEY JUST GRABBED A REGULAR COTTON POLY THREAD.

WE COULDN'T CONTROL THE MANUFACTURING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S MADE WITH THE RIGHT THREAD.

>> ALL THE WORK IS DONE IN ESCONDIDO.

MAKING REGULAR SIZE HE SAYS.

>> COMING UP WITH UNIFORMS AND SO HAPPY AND I'M GLAD.

>> YOU WERE AMAZING.

>> Reporter: A COST $3100 TO OUTFIT AN OFFICER WITH SEVERAL UNIFORMS BUT THOSE UNIFORMS WILL LAST FOR YEARS AND CUT THEY ADVISED.

>> WE GET ABOUT FOUR AROUND A MONTH THAT CRASH WE USUALLY GET A TESTIMONIAL FOR THEM THEY COME AND SHAKE MY HAND AND THANKED ME PERSONALLY.

AND HAVE WIVES AND KIDS OF THE OFFICERS THANKING ME MANY TIMES.

>> KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS >> ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP TRACK ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IS TO GET OUR NEWSLETTERS.

BREAKING NEWS, LOCAL EVENTS AND DAILY HEADLINES IS WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

GO TO KPBS.ORG TO SIGN UP.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US .