Mayor's Corner: Updates from Mayor Frometa
Police Chief Leslie Murray and Mayor Claudia M. Frometa
Hello Downey,
To all the Mothers and Mother-figures in our community, Happy Mother’s Day weekend! Thank you, Moms, for all your efforts, your sacrifices and commitment to your families. As you pour into the lives of your children and those around you, you leave an imprint that spills into our Downey. Wishing all of you a blessed day/weekend celebrating your impact in the lives of many. There is no greater love than the love of a mother.
Update on Fire Station #4
I know this is long overdue and I am happy to report remediation and construction at Fire Station #4 is now complete. I was informed repopulation will occur within the next several days for a full reopening the week of May 22nd.
I share the anger and frustration from District 4 residents on this prolonged closure. I am looking forward to having it back in service, and our displaced fire crew from that station cannot wait to be back.
Community/Economic Development
I have shared with you my focus as Mayor this year is to bring economic development to the forefront in our city. It is vital we look at revitalizing empty buildings and storefronts along main corridors.
First, however, we had to bring stability to city hall by filling key leadership positions, starting with our City Manager Roger Bradley. I am grateful for his leadership, thanks to him, we have now filled much needed management positions in finance, public works, and community development.
I have asked for a closer look at our planning department as we must ensure residential and commercial projects have faster turnaround times. Downey continues to be an aspirational city and we continue to attract businesses; however, it is our goal to streamline and improve our processes for greater efficiency, expediency and less bureaucratic red tape.
I do want to acknowledge our great city staff, who amidst significant staffing challenges for many months, has continued to work aggressively to fill empty spaces in key areas of our city. We are continuing to work on additional projects, and we continue the conversation with Sprouts. I look forward to making some announcements soon.
Public Safety, Transient Activity & Speed Enforcement
This week as we recognize National Police Week, I encourage you to thank a police officer and his/her commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe.
I have heard from many of you via email about vandalized cars, robberies, and catalytic converter thefts. While our Downey Police Department (DPD) continues to respond as quickly as they can, many times the crimes have already occurred, and the perpetrators are long gone, but our DPD will continue to respond. Please continue to report these acts and please get involved in a Neighborhood Watch group in your neighborhood. This is a great way to connect with neighbors and watch for suspicious activities. If you see something, please, say something.
Currently, we have over 230+ groups throughout our city. To find out more information or to apply, please contact Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Stephanie Arroyo at (562) 904-2374 or sarroyo@downeyca.org
As we continue to see a rise in crime in every city, increased thefts with no consequences for the thieves, we must realize the people who change policies on crime are those people elected to office. As our communities’ struggle, let us pause and remember, policies soft on crime and soft on criminals put our communities in danger. Let’s remember that next time we vote!
We continue to monitor increased transient activity along various segments in our city. Thank you, residents, for making us on council aware when there are issues related to homeless encampments.
Our city is 12.5 square miles and unless we hear from our residents, we are not always aware of certain incidents. Clean ups will continue in coordination with LA County Dept. of Mental Health, LA Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), PATH, and DPD.
Unfortunately, our DPD cannot be everywhere all at once, however, our Police Chief is committed to deploying extra patrols and mobilizing additional resources to locations in need. I have also heard from many of you regarding racing and speeding along segments in our city. The stretch of Downey Ave., between Stewart & Gray and Imperial Hwy., or between Florence Ave. and Gallatin Rd., Brookshire Ave., also between Stewart & Gray Rd. & Imperial Hwy. or to the north of Florence Ave. and Gallatin Rd. Along with Stewart & Gray Rd. between Rives Ave. and past the curve headed to South Gate and of course, the area of Haledon Ave. north of Florence Ave. where vehicles have been doing donuts as of late. DPD will continue to conduct speed enforcement activities throughout our city and look for illegal street racing and individuals utilizing empty parking lots/areas to do donuts. Drivers involved in street racing will have their vehicles impounded and will face steep fines.
Community Engagement
We’ve had many events over the last several weeks including Downey’s One Day of Service which coincided with Earth Day. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who participated by cleaning up portions of our city, painted over graffiti and helped bag food at Food HELP. A special thanks to the Public Works crew for their diligence and hard work assisting residents with the fruit tree giveaway.
This week, we also celebrate Nurses Week, a city with three hospitals we are bound to know and/or run into a nurse. Please thank a Nurse this week for his/her service and commitment to patient care, quality care and empathy. We appreciate them as they care for us during our most vulnerable times.
Downey’s anti-litter campaign, #BINIT, started during my first Mayoral year in 2021 and continues strong. Residents may call CalMet/Athens services at 562.259.1239 to arrange a bulky item pick up. Additional important numbers to save on your phones:
• Graffiti Hotline: (562) 923-4484
• Abandoned Shopping Carts: (800) 252-4613
• Illegal Dumping: (562) 904-7194
The Keep Downey Beautiful Clean Ups continue to bring together residents who want to make a change and help beautify our city. The next clean-up is scheduled for 9 am this Saturday, May 13 at Independence Park.
On Saturday, May 20, we will have the 2nd Annual Touch-a-Truck event at Independence Park. Bring the family and your children to explore the various vehicles representing police, fire and public works.
As we get closer to the end of a school year, I do want to recognize the efforts of all the high school seniors that will be graduating in a few weeks. Students from Columbus, Warren and Downey High Schools, may the next chapter in your lives be filled with adventure, opportunities to grow and give back. You are #DowneyStrong and we are very proud of what you have accomplished!
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 49th Mayor. Please contact my office with any questions or concerns at (562) 904-7274 or email me at cfrometa@downeyca.org. Also, look for Mayor Frometa’s 90 Second Round up every two weeks!
I welcome appointments for in-person visits. You can also follow my Facebook page for regular updates at Claudia M. Frometa Mayor, City of Downey, along with our City’s Facebook page, “City of Downey Government Agency,” for regular updates.
Please also download the Downey App on your mobile device. Through this app, you can immediately report illegally dumped items, street repairs, trash, graffiti removal, neighborhood light repairs, etc.
#DowneyStrong #EngagedCommunitiesAreStrongCommunities
#ThisIsDowney
#CityofDowney
#OperationRestoreOrder
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