State of the City

La Mesa 'State of the City' address: Crime rates drop, infrastructure work surges

Story and photos by Karen Pearlman
 
March 21, 2026 (La Mesa) -- A double-digit decline in property crime and a record-breaking year for road repairs in La Mesa were some of the highlights shared by La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis earlier this month.
 
In his "State of the City" address shared by the city on March 11 and available on YouTube here, Arapostathis said that La Mesa reported an 11% reduction in property crime alongside substantial drops in commercial burglaries and auto thefts in 2025.
 
Arapostathis also lauded the city’s development pipeline, noting the issuance of about 1,500 permits as well as the launch of five pre-approved "fast-track" ADU designs to tackle housing affordability.
 
The city shared more department highlights of 2025 on its website here.

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El Cajon Mayor Wells and city leaders outline achievements and goals during State of City address

By Kevin A. Green 

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

Photos via elcajon.gov 

The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community

February 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells addressed public safety, homelessness, the economy and more during his State of the City address February 3 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center.  The mayor recapped progress made in 2025, addressed challenges and outlined goals for 2026.


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MAYOR WELLS INVITES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS DEC. 14

East County News Service

December 7, 2021 (El Cajon) - Community members are invited to join Mayor Bill Wells and members of the City Council at the State of the City event, to be held on Tuesday, December 14th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.  “I am very excited about this year’s event,” expressed Mayor Bill Wells.  “In addition to sharing many of the City’s exciting achievements over the past year and a look ahead to next year, we will be honoring four outstanding individuals of our community with awards,” he continued. 

After the Mayor’s address, guests are encouraged to stay for a reception with light refreshments. The Ronald Reagan Community Center is located at 195 East Douglas Avenue. For additional information, please call (619) 441-1716.


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LA MESA MAYOR DELIVERS UPBEAT STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS; VIEW FULL TRANSCRIPT

 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Mayor Mark Arapostathis Mayor’s State of the City Report, January 9, 2018.  Photo courtesy City of La Mesa

January 15, 2018 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis delivered an optimistic State of the City, in which he cited low crime, a 2017 survey that said 91% of La Mesa residents rate the quality of life in La Mesa as being excellent or good, and $8.5 million in local infrastructure improvements, plus further investments from SDG&E and San Diego County Water Authority that strengthen the "long-term stability for the infrastructure under our streets."


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LA MESA STATE OF THE CITY

January 14, 2015 (La Mesa) – Incoming Mayor Mark Arapostathis presented the annual State of the City address at this Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

East County Magazine is pleased to present it in full here.


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LA MESA MAYOR'S ANNUAL "STATE OF THE CITY"

January 12, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid gave his annual state of the City report, or “Audit Report,” at the City Council meeting last night.

 

Here is the text in full.


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