Police have a suspect in ‘Slow down’ graffiti painted on Bird Rock streets, though investigation continues

San Diego police say a suspect has been identified in a spree of “Slow down” messages spray-painted on several streets in Bird Rock, though an investigation is continuing.

A local resident submitted photos to the Police Department reportedly showing the mystery painter, and the department immediately started an investigation, according to SDPD Lt. Matt Botkin.

“The person involved has been identified,” Botkin said, though he added the investigation is not over.

“Once the investigation has been completed, we will be able to determine next steps,” he said.

Last month, residents reported that the words “Slow down” had been painted on area streets, including La Jolla Boulevard.

Some commenters on social media called the messaging and its author “pathetic” and another said “I speed up when I see them.”

But Bird Rock Community Council President Joe Terry said the writings indicate “some people in the community think we have a speeding issue.”

Though Bird Rock has a Maintenance Assessment District for care of the community’s public spaces beyond what the city of San Diego provides — including landscaping and litter removal — the graffiti is on the street and thus has to be removed by the city.

Terry said the matter had been reported on the city’s Get It Done app but that the painting was being replaced as soon as it was removed.

“We turn it in … and the city cleans them up very quickly. … And almost as quickly, someone was back painting over what the city had done,” he said.

Bird Rock resident Harry Bubbins launched a petition drive in 2022 aiming to have the 35 mph speed limit reduced on La Jolla Boulevard as it winds into Bird Rock. The petition has since been submitted to the city for consideration.

Bubbins, who is now president of the La Jolla Community Planning Association, told the La Jolla Light that the “Slow down” message “speaks to the dangerous conditions that exist from speeding drivers and the widespread local perception of a need to address it, especially the 35 mph speed from Pacific Beach as you pass Tourmaline Surfing Park and approach Bird Rock Elementary School.”

However, Terry said other traffic issues are of equal or greater concern.

“Many people think stop signs are optional,” Terry said. “People on [La Jolla] Boulevard don’t know they need to yield to cross traffic.”

He called that an “equal-opportunity problem” among drivers ranging from “young people on e-bikes to those that are old enough to know better.”

Anyone with information about the “Slow down” painting or other traffic issues can attend BRCC meetings, which are held at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Bird Rock Elementary School. Learn more at birdrockcc.org. ◆