DOWNEY — Police officer and commercial real estate broker Gil Contreras Legaspi has declared his candidacy for Downey City Council, seeking to fill the vacant District 3 seat.

Legaspi, 48, said his priorities are to decrease crime by hiring more police officers and to expand the city’s initiatives to address homelessness.

If elected, Legaspi said he would work to cut “excess red tape at city hall” to help businesses, and to increase transparency between Downey residents and local government.

He is also the only current bilingual candidate.

“We need to invest in technology to streamline things and bring transparency that is fiscally responsible,” Legaspi said.

Legaspi is involved extensively in the Downey community. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Downey, an ambassador with the Downey Chamber of Commerce, and a member with Gangs Out of Downey.

He also sits on the board of The Arc, a non-profit organization that supports people with developmental disabilities, and serves on the “Keep Our Children Safe” committee at his church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Professionally, he chairs the Local Government Relations Committee under the Downey Association of Realtors.

“District 3 needs strong leadership to unite Downey,” Legaspi said. “We must keep our city a safe place where everyone can enjoy the highest standard of living. “Downey has been my home for decades; I know and love this community, and I have a passion to serve my fellow neighbors, businesses and stakeholders.”

Legaspi announced endorsements from Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Councilman Timothy Horn, former mayor Kirk Cartozian, planning commissioner Miguel Duarte, Cerritos College school board member Mariana Pacheco, community volunteer Jesus Torres, War On Lethal Fentanyl (WOLF) founder Lissette Rivera, and community leader Beth Gendreau.

“District 3 deserves a leader we can count on,” Assemblywoman Pacheco said in a press release. “Gil brings the experience, knowledge and passion needed to make great things happen for the residents of Downey.”

To learn more about Legaspi’s campaign, visit his website at GilLegaspiForDowney.com or call (562) 360-4367.

His campaign is also active on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Legaspi and his wife have three children, ages 4, 5 and 6, who attend Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.