Mayor praises public safety, vaccine numbers at State of the City

Mayor Claudia M. Frometa gives her state of the City address to a room full of residents, city leaders, and business owners on Tuesday. Photo by Alex Dominguez

DOWNEY - Mayor Claudia M. Frometa delivered the state of the city address to a room full of Downey’s leaders, business owners, dignitaries, and residents on Tuesday.

The event was held at the Rio Hondo Event Center.

Frometa was labored with the task of painting a picture of the city in a post-pandemic reality, especially after last year’s address was forcibly shelved due to Covid-19.

Much of the mayor’s presentation was review of the city’s accomplishments over the past year, which included the completion of Measure S projects, the balancing of the city budget for the seventh consecutive year, and the ground breaking of the Rancho Los Amigos sports complex project, which Frometa announced was now around 65% complete.

Frometa did pay particular attention to public safety.

So far this year, Downey Fire Department has responded to approximately 9,900 emergency incidents. That number is expected to increase to 10,700 – up 7.5% - by years end.

“That’s a pretty significant number considering the pandemic, and considering people still have emergencies,” said Frometa. “People are still needing to go to the hospital, and that is aside from Covid-19.”

Frometa also highlighted Downey Police’s crackdown on street racing and reckless driving.

So far this year, police have made 18 arrests for DUI’s and drivers involved in a crash that caused serious injuries, 205 driving citations associated with street racing, reckless driving and unlicensed or suspended licenses, 52 vehicle impounds for engaging in speed contests, unlicensed or suspended license and DUI’s, and 228 speeding citations for exhibition of speed.

Mayor Claudia M. Frometa. Photo by Alex Dominguez

Downey PD’s homeless outreach program has also been active, having conducted eight outreach programs since May in collaboration with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), Kingdom Causes Bellflower, Salvation Army, Veterans Assistance Team, and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health.

In total, 81 persons experiencing homelessness were contacted and offered services.

Later during her comments on the city’s fiscal responsibility, Frometa would defend the public safety budget, which accounts for 66% of general fund expenditures.

“A lot of people say, ‘Gee, why is 40% going to the police? Why is 26% going to fire,’” said Frometa. “Let me remind you that during the height of the social injustice movement of last year, the defund the police movement that other cities embraced, those same cities are seeing more than a doubling of their crime rates. That is a direct correlation to their defund the police movement. I have said again and again, as long as I am on this council, as long as I am serving this city…I will be supportive of our men and women in uniform.”

“People want to come to cities that are safe. People are looking for neighborhoods that are safe, that have fast response times, that have a sense of community. This is what Downey provides.”

Frometa expressed excitement over the future of the former NASA Vultee Building, which will be developed into an “innovation incubator.”

“The incubator will leverage Downey’s leadership in STEM education, including our renowned school district programs, to provide the essential next step in our city’s evolution into a STEM hub,” said Frometa. “This area will have conference rooms, and it will also be able to have additional space for the local medical centers to have training rooms and a training center.”

“We are very excited about this opportunity.”

In response to the pandemic, Frometa and the city continues to push for vaccination, saying “efforts are paying off.”

According to data provided by Frometa during her presentation, 78.6% of the population ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, which includes 93.9% of the city’s senior population ages 65 and up.

“This is really significant; I really wanted us to be over 75% before flu season,” said Frometa. “We are really working hard on those numbers.”