Violent Break-In At San Diego Short-Term Rental Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Lack Of SDPD Response

A violent break-in at a short-term rental house in San Diego has left the community reeling after a burglar shattered a window and entered a room where two young girls were sleeping on Monday night.Ìý

The incident, captured on surveillance video submitted by homeowner Brittany Wiczek through her Instagram channel @breetanyw, occurred at 11:20pm in the Logan Heights neighborhood when an intruder head-butted a glass window, leaving blood splattered across the scene. On a video captured by a SimpliSafe camera, the intruder is seen lurking outside the home before breaking the glass with his head. He then jumps through the opening into the house. You can then hear girls screaming before the perpetrator jumps back out the window and flees.Ìý

The video, which includes disturbing audio of the children's cries for help, has drawn significant attention online. While the girls were physically unharmed, the traumatic event has raised serious concerns about neighborhood safety and the response - or lack thereof - from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).

The property is a short-term rental listed on Airbnb, and at the time of the break-in, a family visiting from Germany was staying there with their two young daughters. According to the owner, 911 was called immediately after the break-in, but no officers responded despite multiple follow-up calls. As of 9am Tuesday, the resident reported that no police had arrived at the scene, fueling frustration and fear. According to the property owner, the family ultimately left the property to stay in a hotel. Ìý

"This was a violent break-in. People could have been killed," the resident stated in the post. "The neighborhood was and is still at risk and the police are doing nothing, as if this was a non-emergency. This is not okay and SDPD needs to be called out. We deserve better than this."Ìý

Logan Heights, a historic neighborhood in southeastern San Diego, has seen its share of crime challenges, but this incident underscores broader concerns about police response times in the area.ÌýThe SDPD eventually released a statement about the incident.

"Calls for police service are triaged based upon severity, danger to the public and many other factors that are constantly being evaluated by the dispatcher, officers and supervisors in the field," read a statement released by the SDPD. A constant assessment is conducted to determine what requires immediate attention among the many calls for service SDPD receives. ÌýWhile I don’t know what exactly was occurring in Central Division at that time, the original call for service advised the suspect had fled the scene and was no longer present five minutes before the reporting party called."

The use of short-term rentals, often booked through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo, has also been a point of contention in San Diego, with some residents citing increased noise, parking issues, and, in cases like this, potential safety risks for both guests and locals. The video, flagged with a content warning due to the distressing audio, has prompted calls for action from community members, many of whom are questioning what measures can be taken to ensure such incidents are addressed promptly.Ìý

The lack of immediate police presence, if confirmed, could intensify ongoing debates about resource allocation and emergency response protocols within the SDPD, particularly in neighborhoods like Logan Heights that have historically faced higher crime rates.

This remains a developing story, and further details are expected as the situation unfolds.

Originally published on March 11, 2025.