It’s been a year of big stories. The ongoing Chargers saga, the future of policing in San Diego and other narratives have bubbled to the surface.
But sometimes photos tell their own stories. We decided to round up 10 images from VOSD stories published over the past 12 months that were burned into staffers’ brains for one reason or another. Freelance photographers Dustin Michelson and Jamie Scott Lytle, who took the photos, also helped us pick some of their favorite images from 2015.
This photo is from a series of stories centered on Aaron Harvey, a young man who was facing a possible life sentences in prison for Facebook posts that prosecutors say link him to a Lincoln Park gang responsible for several shootings in 2013. To Harvey’s left is activist Mark Jones, and on the right is rapper Brandon “Tiny Doo” Duncan, who was also charged in the case. Photo by Dustin Michelson.
The district attorney’s office is investigating accusations made against San Diego Unified school board member Marne Foster. The image was taken at the opening of an athletic field at a school in Foster’s district, before we broke stories on concerns over a fundraiser she held and charges she meddled inappropriately at a school attended by her son. Photo by Dustin Michelson.
This family’s run-in with the San Diego Police Department was detailed by VOSD contributor H.G. Reza. Officers suspected two brothers who entered their family store and living space were there to burglarize the place. Photo by Dustin Michelson.
Trolley cops swarm several young men as part of Operation Lemon Drop, an effort to combat fare evasion. VOSD’s Andrew Keatts found that officers hit the downtown and southeastern portions of the system far more often than others. Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle.
Shakina Ortega displays a collage of photos of her husband, Victor Ortega, who was shot and killed by a San Diego Police Department officer in an alleyway in Mira Mesa in 2012. SDPD is still struggling to explain details of the incident. Photo by Dustin Michelson.
Members of the Logan Heights community turned a vacant lot into a cool park. Here, Monique López, a volunteer with the H.A.C.E.R. Project, explains the design and features of plans for what was then a vacant lot. Photo by Dustin Michelson.
Dozens of other Comic-Cons have popped up, but San Diego’s version is still king. Photo by Dustin Michelson.
National City Mayor Ron Morrison is advocating for more public access, green space and commercial business near the water. That pits him against vehicle importer Pasha Automotive Services, which also wants more space. Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer gives it all he’s got filling a pothole. This roundup of pothole-filling photo ops by politicians will make you LOL. Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle.
Is this the last time Philip Rivers will head out onto the field at Qualcomm Stadium? It’s not certain yet, but the quarterback seemed to think so. Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle.