For decades, conversations about policing have often focused on conflict, division, and reaction. But retired San Diego Police Officer Carlos Lacarra believes public safety starts somewhere much simpler: relationships.

In this episode of Dreaming Big Working Hard, David Alvarez speaks with Lacarra about his 31-year career with the San Diego Police Department and the philosophy that shaped his work in South San Diego.   Rather than seeing community policing as a slogan, Lacarra describes it as a long-term commitment built through consistency, visibility, and trust.

The episode explores how officers can become active partners in the neighborhoods they serve — attending community meetings, supporting families, mentoring youth, and connecting residents to resources beyond traditional policing. Lacarra also opens up about the emotional toll of law enforcement, the mental health challenges officers carry, and the increasing complexity of serving communities in the age of social media and AI-driven misinformation.  

At its core, this conversation asks an important question: What happens when public safety becomes personal?

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