ONLINE SITE’S PHOTO SHOWS S.D. OFFICERS DINING INSIDE LA JOLLA CAFE

Several shown at table not wearing masks; investigation started

During a week in which San Diego’s intensive care capacity has been stretched thin and the county set a new single-day coronavirus case record, members of the San Diego Police Department were spotted apparently flouting public health guidelines.

On Thursday a photo was published online on Sandiegoville, a local dining and entertainment news website, showing several officers gathered around an inside dining table without masks at a La Jolla café.

The photo, which the website said was captured around 8 a.m. Thursday, shows at least five officers sitting closely together inside Cafe Vahik, located on La Jolla Boulevard near Windansea Beach.

On-site dining, both indoors and out, is a violation of the new statewide lockdown orders in regions, including Southern California, where intensive care bed capacity has dropped below 15 percent.

Police Lt. Shawn Takeuchi said the department became aware of the photo Thursday and called the situation “unfortunate.”

“The officers should not have been eating inside the business which is a violation of the current County Health Order,” Takeuchi wrote in an email. “We understand the seriousness of COVID-19 and that we all must do our part to prevent the spread of the disease. An investigation was started immediately into this situation.”

Reached by phone Saturday afternoon, the owner of the café declined to speak with the Union-tribune about the photo, saying he was too busy with the lunch rush.

charles.clark@sduniontribune.com